Squeaky pedal--solutions?

[Janette Tilley]

I have a 1930 Willis baby grand with a very squeaky damper pedal. I've
tried WD40 but the problem returns again within a couple of weeks. I'm
afraid to try anything more drastic. Does anyone have a solution that is
safe for the piano?

Thanks in advance,
Janette Tilley
jmti...@unixg.ubc.ca
jmti...@freenet.vancouver.bc.ca

[D Stark]

jmti...@freenet.vancouver.bc.ca (Janette Tilley) wrote:
>I have a 1930 Willis baby grand with a very squeaky damper >pedal. I've tried WD40 but the problem returns again >within a couple =

of weeks. I'm afraid to try anything more >drastic. Does anyone have a solution that is safe for the >piano?

I'd consult your piano tech first, Janette. Mine gives
advice over the phone when I'm in a panic, even :-) (Lost
a key just a week prior to an audition with a teacher
at Eastman!) and I've been battling with this problem
since I got this instrument almost over a year ago.

The powdered graphite worked well for the high pitch
squeak, but I still have kind of a groaning low pitch
squeak left, which he narrowed down to the action.

I have to save enough money to get him back here to work on
that, now :-)

dee

[Thomas Sheehan]

On 3 Jul 1995 in article <Re: Squeaky pedal--solutions?>, 'D Stark

<dst...@eznet.net>' wrote:


>I still have kind of a groaning low pitch
>squeak left, which he narrowed down to the action.

Dee -

Sorry that I don't remember whether you have an upright or grand piano. The
kind of squeak that you describe (if in an upright piano) is often caused
by the damper lift rod rubbing against the lower part of the damper lever
when the pedal is pressed. The damper lift rod is connected to the rear
side of the action rail, and is pivoted outward to lift all the dampers
when the pedal is actuated.

The lower portion of the damper lever has an action cloth cushion. Over
time, it seems that the damper lift rod corrodes slightly. This creates
friction between the cloth and the rod, and can produce the kind of noise
that you describe. Another possibility are the damper lift rod flanges,
which provide the attachments and are the pivot points for the damper lift
rod at the action rail. These flanges are lined with cloth, and the pins
mounted on the damper lift rod can cause noise when the lift rod is pivoted
by pressing the pedal because of the same type of slight corrosion
described above.

Your technician should be able to remove the action, and apply lubricating
powder (such as teflon) to the meeting point fo the damper lift rod and the
damper lever cushion, and to the damper lift rod flanges.

Now if it's a grand piano . . .I'd investigate the trapwork (the levers and
springs under the keybed that link the pedals and the pedal rods to the
interior part of the action).

Maybe the trusty "Piano Book" has more to say on this matter.

Anyway, hope that the problem clears up soon.

Best regards,

Thomas
--
Thomas A. Sheehan
Concert Systems, Inc.
aqu...@nyc.pipeline.com

[Martha Beth Lewis]

In <3t71i9$o...@freenet.vancouver.bc.ca>

jmti...@freenet.vancouver.bc.ca (Janette Tilley) writes:
>
>I have a 1930 Willis baby grand with a very squeaky damper pedal.
I've

>tried WD40 but the problem returns again within a couple of weeks.

I'm
>afraid to try anything more drastic. Does anyone have a solution that
is
>safe for the piano?

Janette, call your registered tuner-technician. Martha Beth

[Pianst]

I've always been told that powdered graphite works best on those depending
on where the squeek is. I have a tube of graphite but it has been so
long, I can't remember where I got it. Probably at a tuning supply outfit
or perhaps try your local hardware store - I may have purchased it there
too. You might want to consult your piano technician. Good luck!

Joyce Moulton