Keys sticking on the repetition lever

Well, the refurbished ones (I assume it's 'refurbished') more or less all have problems maintaining optimal tuning; however, you can always try changing the loose hammer felt of the note that bothers you most. After 3 years, a normal regulation check should suffice without disrupting the piano. But do you think the keys break with repetition... It could be that the repetition levers cannot return under the roller, either because the pins are stiff or because their positioning under the rollers is incorrect. So I would perform a check of these pre-regulations, including the height of the repetition lever, then a general regulation check and the replacement of loose hammer felts, followed by tuning. These are things that can be resolved, even simple ones, but the technician must have the time to work on them, so the cost increases accordingly.

First of all, thank you.

My piano is not refurbished and the tuning problem, as I was telling you, is only on one note.

So what exactly should I ask the technician to get a cost estimate? A check of the mechanics?

One more thing:

- what could be the reason that I cannot play piano (softly) on the bass notes?

Thanks again

When was the last time you tuned the piano?

If it hasn't been tuned for months or years, it is difficult to determine beforehand if the tuning pin is loose... You have to feel it.

In any case, it is a routine job, although for these problems technicians tend to divide into two categories:

those of "there's no problem: we'll change the string and the pin" and those of "eeeh... let's see... let's try... maybe over time it will settle...".

With the former, you solve the problem at its root; with the latter, you will always be left with a out-of-tune note after two fortissimos.

The piano was tuned a little less than a year ago.

Just one week after the tuning, I could already hear that note out of tune, so much so that the technician came back to tune it again.

After three days, we were back to square one.

And regarding the problem with the repetition action sticking on some keys and the inability to play soft notes (piano) in the bass, what should I ask the technician to get a quote?

Thanks again!

Regarding the tuning, generally speaking, these are things that can happen even on new concert grand pianos...

One needs to see and hear it to evaluate what it really is.

As far as the action is concerned, some images would be helpful. In words, it can be anything and its opposite...

But what does the technician who tuned it a year ago say? I believe that he, more than anyone, knows how the piano is doing.

The suggestions from giovannig and Celibidache are, naturally, quite correct. I would add that those ankle(s) that do not hold can be tapped, with caution. Just check the level of the repetition lever in relation to the escapement hammer. Also check if any escapement hammer is a bit lazy. The technician will evaluate. A good regulation will give you back the "pianissimo!". Tuning and control of hammer voicing (perhaps by reconstructing the "pianissimo cushion")

The technician simply limited himself to retuning the note, he didn't do anything at all.

At this point I would like to follow your advice, but I need a capable and honest technician who can do similar work.

Honestly, I have already contacted a technician in my area and I did not get along well at all.

I am therefore asking if you can recommend, even via private message, the name of a technician who can perform an assessment and eventually the work, in the province of Arezzo or Florence.

I would be grateful to you.

Thank you all.

You have to look for it yourself. By contacting him and speaking with him at home, ask him to detail the solutions he wants to adopt; you will see that you will find a person you can trust. Unfortunately, we cannot suggest anyone.

Ok thanks, I will try to contact someone.

I'll take this opportunity to ask one last thing given your availability:

As I was telling you, I have some trouble playing the piano, especially in the bass.

I also have the impression of having a somewhat heavy keyboard, in which I cannot be as agile as on other pianos I play on.

I am therefore asking you if making a keyboard more agile and at the same time being able to play the piano are two compatible things.

And above all, how does one lighten the keyboard to allow for greater agility?

Thanks again.

Has the hammer rail been replaced on this piano? It seems strange to me that there is all this weight on a G2; generally, it is not among the pianos with the heaviest keyboards, so we need to understand if the keyboard was previously relaid, due to a change of hammer rail for example, or for specific requests. Without photos, it's just speculation and it is difficult to give answers.

Aparte the weight, a regulation of the action, starting from scratch at this point and re-verifying all parameters, should solve the problem.

What Giovanni wants to tell you is that there is a direct relationship between keyboard weight and the ability to play piano and pianissimo; however, on a new piano, this is slightly unusual. Any capable tuner will be able to at least answer your question. In the meantime, if by chance the piano is in a humid place or has been kept closed, let's open it and air it out a bit; it's true that dust is bad, but excess humidity is the real enemy of the piano (obviously too dry conditions and fluctuations also play an important role, and in three years they could have already had an effect).

But I didn't understand, I don't think the piano is new, is it a G2 or not? Anyway, it doesn't matter much, the episode of the repetition pedal not working certainly also suggests some small problem with the pins, as has already been suggested. So everything needs to be reviewed a bit more.

So the piano is not new, based on the serial number it should be from the early '90s.

The action is original and in good condition.

Before I bought it (3 years ago) it has been practically stationary most of the time and I don't think the seller who sold it to me performed any major maintenance work.

Good at selling, because he keeps prices low, but certainly not as a technician.

If the problem isn't too much weight, could there be a friction problem?

If so, how are they measured?

Evaluating the weight of the descent and the ascent could be a first step to understanding how much friction affects it. Then they must be identified, obviously.

For the "how-to," I refer you to Paolo's video tutorials.

aldo1521 wrote:

So the piano is not new; based on the serial number, it should be from the early '90s.

Not to sound like someone who doesn't trust [the numbers], but I have seen Yamaha serial numbers where 1 million turned into 4 million, so I almost never refer to the serial number.

I agree, Giovanni, always check. It is right to review a bit of everything and I agree regarding the excessive lowering weight. In short, it is now a widespread and "contagious" idea that one must verify the friction of the mechanics and then check the two weights in question (lowering and return!). If you do not have the appropriate little tool, adjust using the screw of the flange: the friction is correct if the flange "falls" gently and uniformly under its own weight. This applies to the flanges of the hammers and the jacks. The escapement uprights must fall under their own weight (released from their respective springs).

Ok I understand, it is certainly better to discuss the matter with the technician; I can take the measurements but then I wouldn't know where to start.

Thank you for your suggestions.

To improve the string that goes out of tune, you could tap it (with care) using a screwdriver and hammer against the bridge pins and tap the string end against its pin. This stops the string against the pins and helps you hold the tuning better.

As for the other problem, a general regulation of the mechanics is required. This work can be done in two or three hours, so it shouldn't cost much.