UK Piano Page Piano Discussion Forums

crescendo · Member Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Middle C

One of the notes on my piano has developed a nasty twanging noise.

I hear it when I release the damper pedal or as I let the key back up - only when I do this slowly. It happens just before the felt of the damper makes full contact with the strings.

What could be causing this? Is there anything I can try before calling my tuner?
Sad

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject:

Sound like a damper do we keep flowers on the piano or the odd cup of tea liquid my have got in wet the damper felt then it has dried and is now zinging

if it is that the felt may have to be changed

Barrie,
_________________
Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page

Gill the Piano · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject:

If you're careful - and lucky - you can scratch the surface of the damper with a screwdriver/knife to soften the felt up again. If it's a good piano, let your tuner/tech do it.

crescendo · Member Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Middle C

Brumtuner · Persistent Poster Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 173

Just yank the damper up and give the felt a good scratch with your finger nail.
That's what the tuner will charge you 450 quid for - when your back is turned.

Brumtuner · Persistent Poster Joined: 08 Feb 2008 Posts: 173

I meant... that's what the tuner will do when your back is turned.

He/she'll prolly be facing you when the payment is requested.

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 8:39 am Post subject:

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:14 am Post subject:

crescendo · Member Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Middle C

Hmm, we shall see.

My tuner knows I would bust his fingers if he diddled me and is quite used to me standing over him asking lots of awkward questions! He comes highly recommended by Jeff Shackell who sold me the piano, so there will be no monkey business, and definitely no kicking...

Openwood · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:28 am Post subject:

Steinway B? Excuse me while I roll my tongue up and put it back in my mouth. You lucky, lucky person Crying or Very sad

crescendo · Member Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Middle C

'Ere, no dribblin' on it, mate!

Wink

Tom Tuner · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:31 pm Post subject:

Dampers can develop a crust on the surface which can cause a "twang" when the touch the strings, even if nothing has actually been spilled. This usually shows up in old uprights. Take a toothbrush which is no longer employed, cut the (plastic) bristles off short so they have sharp ends and are good and stiff. Use this to clean off the surface crud on the dampers. You can gently heat the handle just below the head and bend it to a more convenient angle. More efficient than fingernails.

Tom Tuner

Openwood · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 11:17 pm Post subject:

Crescendo,

All I can say is you must have been very good indeed in your previous lives to be reincarnated as the owner of a Steinway B Smile

sussexpianos · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:06 am Post subject:

I remember laughing when I came to a piano and when I pressed the sustain pedal ( loud pedal to all), all the dampers lifted but the felts stayed on the strings Smile

sorry madam, but Im not tuning this one!
Damper felt is very soft and can absord moisture in the air if its damp. When drying, the felts gets hard and compresses. Sometimes a sandpaper can help, mostly its a replacment.

crescendo · Member Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 9 Location: Middle C