Relatively new small Essex grand. When the sustain pedal is operated very slowly, it makes a moaning noise. Removed the action, removed the pitman, and raised the tray by hand, heard the noise. Here's what I think is causing it: the lift tray is aluminum, the felt is soft and thick, and the tray pivot is nowhere near the underlever centers. So when the tray is lifted, the underlevers slide on the felt, playing the aluminum tray like a violin. What to do? My inclination would be to replace the tray felt with something harder/smoother, and polish the undersides of all the underlevers with 400 grit sandpaper or finer. But before going to all that trouble, I thought I would toss the question out to the list, and see if anyone else has encountered this, and what you did to fix it. Any thoughts? thanks Mike Spalding
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