Damper Timing

When pressing the sustain pedal, the dampers shall rise at the same time as a union. This timing adjustment method is from David Betts. Usually the process takes 1-2 hours when the dampers, wires, and regulation are in decent shape.

In each section (Bass, Lower Tenor, Upper Tenor, and Treble), lower two adjacent underlevers by loosening the set screws, lowering the levers, then tightening the screws again. So one of the two will belong to a natural key. We use the damper heads on naturals as samples. By lowering the levers on sample notes, when the damper tray goes up, the sample damper heads will be higher than the rest (see picture #3).

Raise the sustain lever in the trapwork by turning up the rod knob. The damper tray will be pushed up as the sustain lever raises. Turn the knob, thus damper tray, up a little, stop, press down the sample natural keys slowly and observe the hammer-rise. When the hammer is at half stroke, the sample damper head shall just wink, not earlier, no later. This is considered a proper timing. But it can also vary according to the preference of pianists. Adjust the knob until the desired timing is achieved on the sample notes. This "turn--stop--turn more--turn back a little" process takes patience. After the desired timing is achieved, loosen all underlever set screws, so the damper wires are loose in the posts.

Tap down all damper heads to make sure they sit firmly on the strings. Tap down all underlevers to they sit solidly on the damper tray. Tighten all set screws. The timing is now set. Some damper heads may be twisted from screwing the set screws tight. Twist the wires, thus damper heads, with a plier. Lower the damper tray for some lost motion by turning down the knob on the sustain rod.

The last step is to check if any dampers don't damp the strings well or if any strings leak. One problem causing the strings to leak is the uneven damper felt on the wedge shown in the first picture. With a parallel plier, squeeze the fat side of the felt, try the damping effect afterwards. This method often times works.

Many thanks to Mr. David Betts for his intelligence and extreme patience.