Yamaha GA1 Problem

[woosey]

Hi,

I have a Yamaha GA1 at home. I know it's an entry level baby grand so I'm not expecting too much from the Piano, but I'm very happy with it in general, with one exception.

I've noticed that the B key an octave below middle C has a bit of a bad tone to it. My tuner was round last night and he commented that the three strings that make up this key are not level. The middle String is a bit lower than the others, which is causing this issue.

Does anyone know if this is a common production fault with the piano, and if it's possible to rectify it?

Many thanks.

[Barrie Heaton]

Why did he not level the strings its so simple to do - unless there was a fault in the agraph if there was then he/she would have to change it and probably the strings as well

Barrie,

[woosey]

Hi Barrie,

I've spoken to a second piano tuner here in edinburgh, and he says he's never come across an issue with this either.... which is a bit worrysome.

How easy is it to level strings?

[Barrie Heaton]

you use a small thin straight edge and a string hook you pull up or push down.

We tend to do this after restringing in most cases it is not needed However, it is unusual to find out of line strings on a Yamaha made in Japan. Not had to change an agraph yet on a Yamaha. it maybe a problem with the bridge notching at the other end

Did the second tuner look at the piano

Barrie,

[sussexpianos]

mmm, interesting. As Barrie has said, you put a flat ruler end on the string and pull the string up so that it is level. The check is to lift the hammer up( you can make a simple tool so it is placed under the shank and you pull it up) so it touches the string and pluck the strings, they should sound dead. If this is not done, then after a few years of playing, the hammer felt will have grooves on certain string(s) and it will sound very odd. If the strings are level are one string still sounds, then its the hammer which is uneven, just use a file or a hammer felt corrector available from \mother goose.
But in any case, is the piano not under warranty? There should be 5 years and this should come under that.

[PianoGuy]

I've noticed that the B key an octave below middle C has a bit of a bad tone to it.


Does anyone know if this is a common production fault with the piano, and if it's possible to rectify it?

I'm not familiar with the scale design of the GA1 from memory, but is the problem note on the "break" where the strings change direction? Take a look inside and see if the note in question is the first or last in that particular section of strings. Yamaha had issues with poor tone over the break of their smallest grand pianos.

It is worst in the GH1. Yamaha failed to address the problems at all in the GP1 which succeeded it, and they made slight progress with the GA1. The offending notes in the GH1 and GP1 sound exactly like a Spanish donkey pissing on a corrugated iron roof. Please don't ask me to explain this sound further as I believe the description given describes it perfectly.

The GB1 (made in Indonesia) has a design based on the much more expensive A1 "Conservatory Series" grand which cures this problem.