[pianotech] Wurlitzer spinet ugh

[Tom Driscoll]

Kerry,
 The whippens have dropped because the backrail cloth and sticker cushions have compressed. Essentially  the top of the jack has lost contact with the butt.We are talking about such a small change in the angle of the horizontal part of the sticker that in my opinion moving the rail has little consequence in regards to friction. These actions play very easily from my experience and I agree that friction is always a concern in any action, but in my opinion  key pins ,tight key bushings and balance rail holes , capstan condition, and too early damper timing have more impact in this regard. 
    If the action is too worn then reconditioning is required instead of regulation and I'm with you there,
I kind of like these actions as they remove easily and although the piano in general may have limitations they  are miles ahead of almost any other drop action in servicability and playability.
Best wishes,
Tom D.
  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kerry 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 10:52 AM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Wurlitzer spinet ugh


  If I'm visualizing this right, the wippens have already dropped and they're still sitting on the capstans. By lowering the rail (I've done this too) instead of raising the capstans, what you're changing is the angle at which the capstan addresses the cloth on the horizontal part of the sticker. It seems to me you could be introducing some friction, especially if there was a lot of wear on the felt. I'm with you guys on removing each key to adjust lost motion, and only lowering the rail if the capstans are too high already (which probably means the action is worn out anyway).

   

  Kerry Kean

  www.ohiopianotuner.com

   


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  From: Gerald Groot [mailto:tunerboy3 at comcast.net] 
  Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 10:36 AM
  To: pianotech at ptg.org
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Wurlitzer spinet ugh

   

  You know, you could be right Tom.  I'm picturing lowering the rail which would move the wippens lower, which yes, will eliminate lost most alright but, wouldn't it also leave the possibility of less after touch if the capstans actually needed to be moved up for the compensation instead?  Hmmm, got me to thinking now..  Especially if dampers are barely coming from strings from normal wear and tear or, am I visualizing this funny?  

   

  From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Tom Driscoll
  Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 8:55 AM
  To: pianotech at ptg.org
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Wurlitzer spinet ugh

   

   

    ----- Original Message ----- 

    From: Gerald Groot 

    To: pianotech at ptg.org 

    Sent: Sunday, February 21, 2010 8:45 AM

    Subject: Re: [pianotech] Wurlitzer spinet ugh

     

    I might add that you will have to be careful in doing this.  If there is not enough after touch when you lower the rail, you will have bobbling hammers.  You may want to check one or two in each section, bass, tenor, treble to see what kind of feel you have in this before proceeding all the way with the others.  

     

    Also, if they keys are not level, that will make a difference in your aftertouch as well.  It will be inconsistent.  While lost motion eliminates a lot of problems, the rail will still have to be set at the proper height first.  Usually, when the blue screws are set, that is about where the action belongs, but nothing is set in stone with pianos.  

     

    I do the same as Tom, removing keys, turning the capstans, getting a feel for how many turns are required before putting it back in and then do a whole bunch at a time once I get the feel for it.

     

    Jer

     

    Jer,

     I'm not following you on this one. When you lower the rail it is the same as raising the capstan. In either case the whippen starts moving earlier in the keystroke and no matter what the aftertouch situation there will be more aftertouch after moving the rail and less chance of bobbling.

     Just my take,

    Best wishes,

    Tom D.
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