Questions about piano's structure and maintenance

[n3wb13]

Hello, I'm having an Yamaha upright piano.

It is almost 30 years old, well. But most parts of it still look nearly new, except the keyboard cover panel. When I purchased the piano, the seller promised to replace the old cover panel with a new one but he didn't, so sad. My question is, does the cover panel is really replaceable?

Today I opened it to look inside and noticed that there are no dampers since the 6th Eb of the keyboard. So I'm really wondering why the number of dampers among pianos of different manufacturers may vary and what is the purpose of that?



BTW, can you suggest me the best way to clean dust on the piano?

Thanks so much

[quantum]

It is almost 30 years old, well. But most parts of it still look nearly new, except the keyboard cover panel. When I purchased the piano, the seller promised to replace the old cover panel with a new one but he didn't, so sad. My question is, does the cover panel is really replaceable?

Do you mean the fallboard?

Today I opened it to look inside and noticed that there are no dampers since the 6th Eb of the keyboard. So I'm really wondering why the number of dampers among pianos of different manufacturers may vary and what is the purpose of that?

The upper strings of the keyboard have a shorter decay time than the lower strings.  They don't need dampers to stop the sound as much as the lower strings.  Also leaving the top strings undamped allows them to vibrate sympathetically giving more resonance of the higher partials.

[n3wb13]

Do you mean the fallboard?

Yes I did Anyway, thanks for you answer too

[keys60]

Those hammers and blued tuning pins look new. I wouldn't say if the are or not, but on my screen they sure look it. Good luck with it.

Just dust you piano with a soft cotton cloth. Even slightly damp and gone over with a dry one. I try to refrain from using commercial furniture polish. I open the kick or knee board (under the keyboard where your knees are and vacuum in there. The less dust/pet hair/ dirt to attract moisture might help. Don't vacuum the action unless you think you could be extremely careful. You may snap a flange or break something.

[n3wb13]

Those hammers and blued tuning pins look new. I wouldn't say if the are or not, but on my screen they sure look it. Good luck with it.

Just dust you piano with a soft cotton cloth. Even slightly damp and gone over with a dry one. I try to refrain from using commercial furniture polish. I open the kick or knee board (under the keyboard where your knees are and vacuum in there. The less dust/pet hair/ dirt to attract moisture might help. Don't vacuum the action unless you think you could be extremely careful. You may snap a flange or break something.

Really useful information. Thank you very much for your advice

My fallboard has so much scratch that I'm looking for a way to get rid of them but I can't see any solution for this. Do you have any idea? 

[keys60]

Removed and refinished by a professional.

[n3wb13]

Removed and refinished by a professional.

Thanks

[etap1]

AS a concert piano technician, the reason for dampers ending in that area is due to decay..........


A longer bass or tenor string will last much longer than a high treble string...........

Play and hold A2 and play A6 at the same time and hold each. The higher note will decay much faster and be gone (about 1/3 the time of the lower note).  Hence, if we damped the note, it would sound too abrupt and not carry in normal playing.

Further, the transition between damped and undamped notes can be modified by the shaving of the damper to yield one open string of the three and even two as needed IF you find the transition 'stark' and disturbing.

Evan Tublitz, RPT
Used Piano Center
www.usedpianocenter.com