Lester Cabinet grand-damper problems

ticktock19852004 · Post by **ticktock19852004** » 26 Aug 2005, 09:16

Hello!

I am new to this forum and look forward to learning new things. I am in the middle of restoring a Lester Cabinet Grand piano. I bought and installed a new set of dampers due to buzzing. For the two upper sections i used the flat block style dampers. Well, there is a terrible over ring. I've adjusted and regulated, even added repair springs assuming that was the problem. Nothing helps. Does anyone think replacing the block dampers with tri-chord dampers would improve it?

Thanks!

ticktock19852004@yahoo.com

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 26 Aug 2005, 18:23

Is the felt a bit hard? That can have a detrimental effect sometimes...

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 26 Aug 2005, 20:20

I am assuming we are taking about an upright piano and not a Grand

If we are taking upright then are the dampers following through that is when you press the string the damper follows if they are then try moving the damper head up a tad to kill the harmonic if not you need to crank them forward a bit more you will have to adjust the spoons as well for the lift.

If your are going down the split wedge I would do it 50 – 50 leave the flat at the bottom at just put the split at the top much simpler to regulate

Barrie,

ticktock19852004 · Post by **ticktock19852004** » 27 Aug 2005, 23:03

The felts are brand new and are all soft as should be. It seems like no matter how much i bring the dampers forward (even to the point of not lifting off the strings at all) does not help. How would i adjust the spoons? Thanks!

ticktock19852004@yahoo.com

ticktock19852004 · Post by **ticktock19852004** » 27 Aug 2005, 23:03

yes, it is an upright piano. Made in the mid 1800's. Underdamped

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 28 Aug 2005, 10:40

ticktock19852004 wrote:The felts are brand new and are all soft as should be. It seems like no matter how much i bring the dampers forward (even to the point of not lifting off the strings at all) does not help. How would i adjust the spoons? Thanks!

ticktock19852004@yahoo.com

Are we taking Over Damper (Birdcage) or Under Damper with you referring to springs I am assuming we are taking under damper?

Barrie,

ticktock19852004 · Post by **ticktock19852004** » 28 Aug 2005, 17:27

yes, underdamper.

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 28 Aug 2005, 19:00

OK The spoon are on the bottom section and suprise suprise they look like little spoons they are what lift the dampers off the string when the indervidual note are played

You will need a spoon crank, you will need to tip the action forward to you and bent each spoon away form you to make the damper pick up sooner, bend it to you to make the damper pick up later. Since you have changed the felts you will need the regulate the spoons. However, before you do this you must set the blow, do the lost motion, level the keys, do the depth of touch as all efect the spoon lift.

Barrie,

ticktock19852004 · Post by **ticktock19852004** » 29 Aug 2005, 03:10

Hello again! Thanks for the advice! I have already leveled the keys, minized lost motion and corrected the blow. I will try adjusting the spoons. Thanks again!

ticktock19852004 · Post by **ticktock19852004** » 29 Aug 2005, 22:21

Hello!

I have adjusted some of the spoons today. It has made a considerable difference, I now have the out-ringing to a "normal" level. I'm so appreciative to have solved such an annoying problem!

Ticktock19852004@yahoo.com