Do all notes cut off cleanly? If some buzz or continue ringing, dampers may need regulating or replacing. Play all notes staccato, except those with no dampers (upper 15-20 notes). Are new key bushings needed?Ĭheck hammers for depth of grooves, amount of remaining felt, correct number of string dents, possible wobbly hammers (string dents are misplaced or unclear), loose hammer heads (clicking noise or up/down movement of hammer head). Visually check condition of hammers, dampers, and other felt parts for moth damage.Ĭheck that all bridle straps (verticals only) are in place and look okay.Ĭheck visually for even spacing and squaring of keys.Īre keytops ivory or plastic? Are any keytops missing, chipped, or damaged?Ĭheck keys for minimal wiggle, rattle, or excessive left-right movement. If made before 1960 and some action parts are plastic, do not buy the piano unless the plastic parts are post-1960 replacement parts (ask your technician). Are some parts missing, broken, or unglued?Ĭheck visually inside, looking for consistent spacing and alignment of action parts. If the sound is less than three seconds in duration, the soundboard may not be functioning properly or the scale may be poorly designed.Īction, Keys, Hammers, Dampers & Regulation The tone should be clearly audible for at least five seconds. The sound should swell slightly immediately after the pluck and then get softer as the string vibrates. This area is the critical “melody range.” While holding the key down (to lift its damper), pluck one of the three strings of the note you’ve chosen. Pluck Test: Slowly depress a key in the octave that begins an octave above middle C. Some good-sounding pianos have no measurable crown. Soundboard crown: any measurable crown is good. Where ribs cross cracks, check to ensure they are still firmly glued. Make sure there are no new cracks alongside the shims.Ĭheck to ensure soundboard is glued around the perimeter. Wooden shims in cracks indicate that the piano was rebuilt at some point in the past. More than a few unrepaired cracks in the soundboard may be cause for concern. Play all the keys from one end to the other, listening for evenness of tone across the keyboard.
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