Barbara, I've worked on a fair number of Yamahas, including some of this same vintage, and have not come across the center pin condition you describe. I too was in a situation, with a church, where parts replacement was not an option, but they were enthusiastic to do what could be done short of that. I agreed to it at the time, but now I have mixed feelings about that decision. There just wasn't enough felt in the high treble to get a good sound any more (although have your shank clips handy--when filing hammers this worn, the clips can really help with touch and tone). And twisting the bass strings definitely squeezed some more life out them, but I would love to hear a new set on this piano (the belly of which is in surprisingly good condition for its age). If it helps any, you can tell you clients that another technician in a very similar situation wishes he had pulled out all of the stops in favor of new h/sh/fl at least. Also, I am in awe of anyone who can repin a hammer rail, file hammers (and level the strings, and mate hammers to strings), clean, lubricate, tune and optimize the regulation (which may include repinning the repetition levers and probably rebushing the keys as well) on a piano that may not have been regulated since it was first pressed into service 45 years ago in 5-6 hours, no matter HOW much they are being paid. It would take me much longer than that. Alan Eder -----Original Message----- From: Barbara Richmond <piano57 at comcast.net> To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org> Sent: Fri, Feb 26, 2010 6:14 pm Subject: [pianotech] 1965 Yamaha G-1 Greetings list: These pictures are from a Yamaha G-1, made in 1965 which was recently donated to a church to be used in the choir room. They will have the option to spiff-up or rebuild the action, since the organist isn't sure they can come up with enough money for a new set of hammers/shanks. In the meantime, have any of you repinned greenish Yamaha action centers and did they stay free--or is it only the S&S green centers that seize up again? I wince at repinning a set of hammer flanges with end-of-life hammers on them, but something needs to be done if they aren't going to be replaced. There are a couple splits in the high treble bridge. I was thinking of using epoxy--is there a best way of damming the sides of the cap (type of tape?) so the glue doesn't just run out? Thanks much. Barbara Richmond, RPT near Peoria, Illinois -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100227/381fc2da/attachment-0001.htm>
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC