[pianotech] Replacing dampers on a 1908 Steinway Upright

[Tom Driscoll]

I'm not sure where and from whom this thread started but my experience is that damper lever replacement on these old Steinway's is usually neccesary . I had one action where I replaced damper felt and broke a dozen or more levers in trying the bend the wires.  YIKES!
 The old wires have a larger diameter than most levers and are not very malleable  . Combine that with the brittle nature of wood and you have one big old mess-o-splinters when you try and regulate these things .
Any other old upright  -- for example a WNG action and damper levers are usually sound and serviceable even if they need new springs .
Just my take .
 Tom D.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: pianolover 88 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 8:01 PM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Replacing dampers on a 1908 Steinway Upright


  <<They will last indefinitely if all they have to do is move back and forth during playing. Where you will have problems with these levers is when you start trying to adjust them, by bending the wires. When you try to bend the wires to adjust the dampers to make them damp better, that is when the lever will break at the screw. That is the design fault of the lever. Newer levers will be able to withstand the pressure. But if they are the dark, original levers, be prepared to put new ones on. No amount of gluing or repairing will do the job.>>


  This is precisely why, or at least in large part why, the client and I ultimately decided it would not be worth doing, for a variety of reasons that we feel are perfectly valid. And if I don't replace the old dampers, there will be no reason to have to make all kinds of adjustments to the levers/wires to make them dampen properly. They were all aligned prior to removing the action; so unless I somehow inadvertetly, or accidentally cause(d) any misalignment to the dampers, it should go right back in the same way. Bullets dodged! 

  Terry "UniGeezer" Peterson
  "Over 50, and not '2' Tired!" 
  www.unigeezer.com


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