A piano needing TLC!

[Nutroast]

Hello to all,

I was invited to a friend's house today and she said I could have a play on her old piano.... she agreed it was in desparate need of tuning, but the strange thing was, it had absolutely no damping at all, no matter what pedal you pressed, or didn't press, it was like the sustain pedal was on the whole time, it felt like playing in an echo chamber; I'm putting her in touch with my local tech, I sure he'd love a challenge

It's apparently a very old iron frame jobbie, I can't remember the make, it wasn't one I recognised. Even with all its problems, it sounded quite sweet to me. I hope she agrees it's worth having some TLC bestowed on it. I'd hate for it to just become a coffee table.


PS. I'm starting to realise that my friends may think I'm turning into a piano bore

[vernon]

have a look underneath and you will find the pedal rod is jammed. Free it and everything will probably be tickety-boo.

[Brumtuner]

Or... fold the top lid back and check the action is properly held in position with the 2 finger tabs seated correctly (or screws tightened). There maybe a centre thumbscrew, too. They're all at the top and easily get-atable.

Alternatively, let your tech tell you it needs a total restoration and will cost oodles of quids to 'fix', or if he's honest, like what I is, he'll sort it for nothing.


(or she)

[vernon]

Hmmm. old piano.
Brumtuner's advice is probably righter than mine.

[pianotechman]

Well you could still be right Vernon, sustain pedal arm may have a 'wood screw pivot' that has sheared, and the spring has pushed the whole arm up....If it aint Brumtuners explanation!

[tuna]

Was it an upright or grand?

[Nutroast]

Hello Tuna,

It's an upright. I've had a word with our new tech to let him know what he's in for!

Jan
xx