[pianotech] other piano concerns questions

[ed440 at mindspring.com]

Marshall,

If you use this screwdriver method (which I don't recommend), you will also be easing the bushings on the adjacent keys.

It is possible, by holding the front end of the tight key, to press it first down, then sideways, and rub it carefully against the pin, easing the bushing a little bit. It is also possible to lift the key and brush a bit of prolube on the pin. How long it will stay eased is another matter.

Meanwhile, Marshall, you are coming to a diagnosis based on a phone call. 

A few years ago you had the Randy Potter course. He has a section on basic action problem diagnosis, which teaches you how to systematically diagnose an action problem. Understanding this is crucial to being a good technician. Knowing a bunch of clever solutions won't make you competent. If you are a good diagnostician, you will easily discover good solutions, and you will be treating the real problem. Reading this section of the Potter book now would probably help you.

A few years ago I saw a piano in which a self-proclaimed professional technician had furiously eased the keys to no avail. The problem had been sluggish hammer flange centers, but he hadn't noticed.

Ed Sutton

-----Original Message-----
>From: Gerald Groot <tunerboy3 at comcast.net>
>Sent: Oct 3, 2011 7:54 AM
>To: pianotech at ptg.org
>Subject: Re: [pianotech] other piano concerns questions
>
>The problem that one has to watch out for, I've seen this happen - been
>there done that with this method, it does work but, is not always a long
>lasting proper solution, is NOT to accidentally bump the white parts of the
>key on the side of it.  It WILL leave visible scuff/scratch/dark marks on
>the key.   
>
>Jer
>
> 
>
>From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
>Of tnrwim at aol.com
>Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2011 10:23 PM
>To: pianotech at ptg.org
>Subject: Re: [pianotech] other piano concerns questions
>
> 
>
>Marshall
>
> 
>
>If the problem is indeed that the key needs to be eased, a very quick way to
>fix that without taking off the stack, is to take a small screw driver, with
>a blade about 1/8" wide, and stick it between the key that is sticking. Push
>down both keys, and then turn the screwdriver a bit. This pushes the bushing
>against the pin and eases it. Do both sides of the key that is stick. If
>that doesn't unstick the key, then something else is causing the key to
>stick, and you have to figure out what it is. 
>
> 
>
>As far as the hammer not hitting the string, there are endless
>possibilities. Wait until you see what the problem is, and if you can't fix
>it, ask us.
>
> 
>
>Good luck
>
> 
>
>Willem 
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Marshall Gisondi <pianotune05 at hotmail.com>
>To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
>Sent: Sun, Oct 2, 2011 3:30 pm
>Subject: [pianotech] other piano concerns questions
>
>Hi Everyone,
>Thanks everyone for the ideas William, John Joe, Tom and anyone I mssed.  I
>sure appreciate your helpful insight. In fact I save these e-mails for
>reference.  
> 
>I also wanted to know what you guys do to ease a key on a grand without
>having to take the stack off, if there is a possible way of doing that.  I
>have a customer who tells me that a "D"is sticking.  
> 
>Also I'm going to visit a grand on Wednesday where a hammer doesn't strike
>the string, string spacing? hammer spacing l ine of travel of hammer?  I
>won't know until I get there, but am I on the right track with this one?
>thanks
>Marshall
>
>
>Marshall Gisondi Piano Technician
>Marshall's Piano Service
>pianotune05 at hotmail.com
>215-510-9400
>www.phillytuner.com <http://www.phillytuner.com/>  
>Graduate of The School of Piano Technology for the Blind
>www.pianotuningschool.org <http://www.pianotuningschool.org/>  Vancouver, WA
>
>
>
>
>