I recently purchased a new upright piano two weeks ago and I haven't been able to play it yet (believe me, the frustration is enormous).
As soon as it was delivered, I tried to play it and many keys, at least about twenty, remain pressed or do not return entirely to their starting position, preventing other sounds from being played.
I should mention that the piano was in the mover's truck for a day and a night, so it was in the cold, and in the morning as soon as it entered the house, a lot of moisture condensed on the surface (the room had and has 19-20°C with relative humidity ranging from 50% to 65%).
Even today, the keys still have the problem... fortunately, I have another one for practicing!
For me, it could be the humidity accumulated in the cashmere cloth (felts) that line the parallel walls of the front key mortises; by swelling, they tightly wrap around the front oval tip of the key, and therefore there is more friction in the sliding motion (mortise/tip) when the keys are played... remaining stuck in the bottom or not allowing for the repetition of the same note played. We await Paolo for clarifications regarding this.
Thank you Torre, I thought of that too and did a test; I disassembled a key that was staying down, and with the hot blade of a screwdriver I lightly pressed the felt into the mortise, but it didn't solve anything. Obviously, I did not intervene on other keys.
Let's say that the humidity of a night could have aggravated a situation that was already underway. I believe this. anyway, I wouldn't let much time pass before notifying the dealer. You must carefully check the keys and the related center pins of the repetitions, escapement uprights, and hammer rails
Hello Paolo, thank you very much for your opinion.
I have already notified the dealer, who said that if it did not improve (and it is not improving), to call him back to arrange a meeting with the technician.
Moving the action with my hands, without using the key, the movement is fluid and precise. So, on my own part, I did something, also inspired by Torre's response: I extracted an easy-to-disassemble key that was sticking, and I built a small metal tool slightly thicker than the mortise + felt (similar to the one you showed in one of your video tutorials - by the way: compliments! -) so that it would create a slight mechanical interference. I heated it and inserted it, holding it in place for a bit. After this treatment, the key started working; it is a bit slow on repetitions but no longer sticks.
Anyway, I will call the technician and tell you what he says, just for completeness and knowledge.
Instead of using the small tool which could widen the mortise too much, without removing the key, take it with two fingers and force it to slide left and right on its pin. You should achieve the goal without losing the parallelism of the faces of the cashmere gasket. Check that the technician uses the appropriate parallel-face pliers.
It was the first thing I did on that key, before making my little tool. The problem seemed to resolve itself but only temporarily: 10 minutes later the key started jamming again.
Anyway, when the technician comes, I will make sure he uses the pliers I suggested, thanks!
Luca
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elZinamusica
Member
Reply 9 by elZinamusica
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10
This problem is normally only found with new Chinese pianos that are often not of good quality. Unfortunately, today's market is full of them..... Obviously a shop must deliver a piano in good condition and in my opinion they should fix the problem at no expense.
Right, Dutch friend. Instead, I naturally ask my Dutch friend the recording source of a magnificent concert that the Labeque sisters gave years ago in Amsterdam, outdoors. Fantastic concert. There should be a video. Do you know if it is available? Thanks
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elZinamusica
Member
Reply 11 by elZinamusica
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10
Hi pianoexpert. I found a video that might be that concert. It is only 5 minutes long.
Exactly!!!! Thank you. I am looking for the video of the entire concert which also included all of Carnival of the Animals and Debussy's Petite Suite... who knows... maybe it exists? Anyway, thank you
the piano is a Feurich (currently I believe it is produced in China).
The technician came and with great patience compressed the edges of the keybed for all the keys and "stretched" some springs on the action to lengthen them so that when compressed, they exert more force.
As of today the piano works... finally, but I find that it still has a certain "slowness" in response. The technician says it is new and needs to be played, could that be true?
oh come no, with new pianos, regardless of the obvious defects they just fixed for you, you always have a more consistent keyboard; play it without obsessing too much over the mechanics. then if it improves faster in the summer, take note, it could really be an excess of humidity absorbed by the wood regardless of quality.
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Celibidache
Member
Reply 15 by Celibidache
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201
Today there are pianos on the market of European origin and design (such as Feurich, for example), but produced in China, which are truly very good, but sometimes prepared in a somewhat cursory manner (proper preparation is a long process and they will have to save money somewhere...)
Consequently, perhaps due to a trifle or a regulation, they are often the subject of unfavorable comments from technicians who intervene from time to time, often suggesting modifications or radical interventions.
I urge you: prevent this from happening. Do not listen to those who advise you to overhaul a new instrument.
Your problems are just those normal things of a new instrument that was regulated a bit in a hurry... that's all.
Also evaluate the type and quantity of papers and the measurements of the soundboards...
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elZinamusica
Member
Reply 16 by elZinamusica
Posts
10
I agree with celibidache. In my practice, I often encounter new pianos that are not well regulated by the technician. From the factory, a piano has not always been perfectly regulated. It needs to be adjusted by the technician before selling it, and this does not always happen. I also agree that Feurich is a fairly acceptable Chinese brand. And it is not true that you have to play on it to make the piano work well. After delivery, it should work well and without sluggishness.
