Re: Buzzing noise from certain keys while playing -- Pianocorder Forum

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Subject: Re: Buzzing noise from certain keys while playing

Author:
Tom Lear

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Date Posted: 22:27:27 12/13/05 Tue
In reply to: Marc Wilson 's message, "Buzzing noise from certain keys while playing" on 15:03:40 12/13/05 Tue

Hi Marc,

Remember to always unplug the Pianocorder and wait one minute for the condensers to bleed off before attempting any repairs.

If you are mechanically inclined, you can fix it yourself. If not, better get a technician.

It sounds like the solenoid rail height is out of adjustment. Has the piano been moved recently? Has this been an ongoing problem?

If the rail, and therefore the solenoids are mounted to tightly (high) against the key tails you will get buzzing, because the solenoid slug/rod/strikers are stopped before they go through their full throw.

That should be totally unintelligible.

OK, Picture this. You have one solenoid with a slug/rod/ striker which moves within the solenoid body about 3/8". This striker moves upward, pushing against a key tailpiece, playing the note. When the solenoid is energized and holding a note, it must not be stopped before it is fully thrown (3/8") or it will buzz.

And again. Let's say the solenoid striker must move exactly 3/8" to be fully thrown. Therefore when energized there has to be 3/8" (and just a hair more) of movement available in the keytail too.

If the solenoid body is held in a position too close to the keytail, then when the key is depressed all the way, the solenoid slug will not have traveled its entire 3/8" and will still be trying to move - hence the buzzing. The buzzing is a 60 cycle electrical buzzing caused by the slug vibrating in the solenoid core as it tries to finish its travel.

This is usually more of a problem when adjusting a Vorsetzer. Unusual in a built-in system, unless the piano was moved, and the rail shifted. I could see this possibly happening on a grand if moved on its side.

Does the buzzing occur throughout the keyboard or is it more toward one end than the other. If more toward one end, I would guess the solenoid rail has shifted. The fix - on the end with the buzzing, lower the rail 1/16" and see if that corrects the problem.

Be careful how you do this, the rail is quite heavy, and awkward to handle in its underpiano position. You could place a screw jack under one end to stabilize it before loosening any fasteners. Then carefully let it down just 1/32' - 1/16". Then test and see if there is improvement.

Tom Lear
San Francisco, Ca.

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Replies:

Subject	Author	Date
Re: Buzzing noise from certain keys while playing	Marc Wilson	21:41:13 12/26/05 Mon
Re: Buzzing noise from certain keys while playing -- Roger Dalziel, 09:14:19 12/28/05 Wed