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Wurlitzer 270 Sustain Pedal not working

Started by STE77EN, September 16, 2024, 01:52:13 PM

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STE77EN

Hi everyone,

I was fortunate enough to recently buy a Wurlitzer 270 in very good condition.
But... even though it seems to have all the parts, I still can't get the sustain pedal to work.

The Wulitzer includes the lyre, a kind of metal nut that can be screwed into the piano from below, and a bent metal rod that goes up from the lyre and looks like it could be connected to the screwed-in nut. The rod has a thickening at the end towards the nut, but you can only put this thickening into the nut, not screw it in. So when you step on the lyre pedal, the rod moves downwards and slides out of the nut instead of pulling it down to trigger the sustain effect.

Unfortunately I couldn't figure out how to fix this and have no idea how this can work.
Does anyone of you have any ideas?

I'm attaching photos of the parts I'm talking about soon.
(Can't upload jpeg. Must be named jpg and can't rename file endings on my phone).

I appreciate any constructive feedback and thank you in advance!

STE77EN

pianotuner steveo

Hi, yes it's very frustrating, I know. It took me years to figure out how to connect mine,and my way was unconventional. Have Cormac (moderator) upload your pictures so we can see what is happening.
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...

STE77EN


STE77EN

@pianotuner steveo:
It would be amazing if you could send me or upload some photos or even a video of how your sustain pedal is attached to the 270 and how it works.

spave

Hi STE77EN,

I no longer have a 270, but from memory the metal nut is supposed to be attached to the rod loosely so that it can be tightened into the piano. It looks like yours is missing the bottom part of the nut that allowed it to clamp over the end piece of the rod while still being able to spin freely. (Note: this is why the top part of your rod has a worn spot near the top.)

To get it to work, you will need to rig something up that attaches to the piece of the nut you do have and that wraps loosely around the rod shaft without being able to be pulled off of the top.
1969 KMC Home Rhodes Prototype

pianotuner steveo

I unfortunately sold the piano several months ago, but I think I figured out how to assemble yours. Your rod pulls right out of the pedal now, doesn't it?
You need to take the bottom of the pedal lyre off, (brass plate), slide the nut up the rod with the open end towards the top, so it catches on the lip at the end of the rod, then attach the small nut to the rod after putting it back through the pedal. There should be a felt washer in there (like a balance rail punching) to stop noise. Once lyre is back together, put the longer brass piece into the piano, then attach lyre to the piano.
1960 Wurlitzer model 700 EP
1968 Gibson G101 Combo organ
1975 Rhodes Piano Bass
1979 Wurlitzer 206A EP
2009 73A Rhodes Mark 7
2009 Korg SV-1 73
2017 Yamaha P255
2020 Kawai CA99
....and a few guitars...