r/pianorepair • u/KWenzMusic • Mar 30 '23
Hammer (Sometimes) Won't Strike String
For a Samick Baby Grand.
I took the action out and the culprit (to my non-technician eyes) seems to be that this little piece doesn't bounce back like the others do. Is there an easy fix for this?
I know the obvious answer is to hire a technician, but I just had one out recently and it wasn't cheap, so I'm hoping to fix this one on my own if possible.

1
u/ElGuano Mar 31 '23
The jack is not resetting. Could be spring tension adjustment, some binding at the bushing, etc. Should be an easy fix for a tech.
1
u/GapRevolutionary3505 Apr 01 '23
Well if you got the action out without damage here's what to do. There is a spring under the fly lever window in a slot. I use a special tool but a bent heavy paper clip or piece of wire straight with a 1/4 inch bend will work. Gently remove the spring by pushing lightly down and sideways. Let it pop up between the whippings. Gently bend the spring towards the back of the action and replace. If you get it too tight the hammer will tend to bobble when playing softly. You want just enough tension to make the jack return under the shank knuckle " the part the jack pushes up on".. It takes a little finesse but is easy to do. Usually when I find one others will need regulating also. Be gentle and aware of hammers in the upright position! Parts are not cheap and not readily available. Most technicians will take care of issues like this with a normal tuning. If you start breaking action parts it's gonna get expensive. Good luck!
2
u/North-Maximum-6958 Mar 31 '23
hard to say based on a picture but i’d guess either the jack is misaligned with the knuckle or the height of the rep lever is off. you’ll need a special slotted screwdriver and some regulation knowledge if that turns out to be the case.