Vibrations

[Will Truitt]

Hi Mathew:

 

If someone has not already mentioned this, here goes:  When you go back to
the piano, start by tightening every case screw you can find.   (They can
probably stand to be tightened anyway). Then start listening.  If the noise
is no longer there, then something you did took care of it.  What?  Doesn't
matter - it's fixed.  If the noise is still there, at least you know it is
not all of the above.  

 

Also, soundboard button screws, treble trim screws and  damper guide rail
screws.  Take a strong light and inspect every glue joint in the soundboard,
particularly around the perimeter and at the belly rail.  Use a small mirror
with the light if needed.  Remove the action and inspect the glue joints of
the belly rail and soundboard interface and below.  Check to see if the
pinblock is sitting fully on the rim shelf at the ends.  Check and see if it
is unglued from the stretcher if it was fully fitted.

 

Hope this helps, along with all the other suggestions.

 

Will Truitt

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of tom
Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2008 7:06 AM
To: 'Pianotech List'
Subject: RE: Vibrations

 

 

 

 

Subject: Vibrations

Can some of you, based on your experiences, provide me with areas to begin
looking for vibrations of certain notes?  The problem is not buzzing because
of loose ribs.  I have a client with a Baldwin grand, and she said there are
vibrations on only a few notes, and I want to begin troubleshooting.

 

So, any ideas on where to begin looking would be appreciated.

 

Thanks so much,

Matthew           

            

Matthew,

            Good suggestions have been made so far. 

            I'll paraphrase the great Yogi Berra here. (Even though he is a
N.Y. Yankee)

            "You can observe a lot by looking (listening)"

            

It can sometime help to have the owner play the note(s) whilst you climb
over under and around this thing. Touch - push - grab everything including
stuff on the wall. 

One client was remodeling and put an old metal medicine cabinet on the floor
10 feet from the piano. At the piano the noise WAS coming from the piano
(Bosendorfer) .I stood away while she played and the noise came from behind
me (the cabinet) 

            

            Don't take any case parts off at first. Hear the buzz then
remove on part at a time. 

            Occasionally the noise will follow a case part and you'll have
it.

            

            Recently I had a noise from a top stick at rest rattling against
the plate as an example of a case part noise.

 

Over the years one of the most vexing was on an old Chickering grand. Turned
out to be the back action mounting blocks that were secured to the belly
rail with screws and washers. One was just a little loose and you would have
thought the soundboard was coming apart from this noise.

My point here is it could be a myriad of possibilities .Think of it as
treasure hunt and by enlisting the owner they will have a real appreciation
of your efforts and ultimately your expertise.

            

Tom Driscoll RPT

 

 

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