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What is this spring thing ?

Started by Infa Red, May 21, 2010, 01:27:15 AM

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Infa Red

Hi all...

I was wondering, so far I have 2 early 70's Fender Rhodes 73 stages. And as I take them (kinda) apart to fully clean them and inspect them, etc.. I found on BOTH of them there is a spring attached to the bottom of the case at the rear of the piano about 2 inches to the left of the hole where the sustain rod pushes that round block up. This is right under the sustain rail thing that rests on the dampers.

This spring is in the same place on both pianos and this is what is confusing me, it is unconnected on both pianos too. So one end is attached to the bottom of the case, but the other end is just floating in mid air.  :shock:

Now, what the heck is this thing ? And what is its purpose ? Before I put them back together I would like to attach it if it is suppose to be attached to something, but I can't see anywhere on either piano where that would be. It seems too much of a coincidence that on both pianos these springs would not be attached to anything, so maybe I am thinking they are suppose to not be attached to anything ? But if that was the case, then WTF are they doing there ?

BTW, both pianos play just fine, do sustain just fine with the pedal, and everything. So whats up with these springs ?

Can anyone help me ?

Thanks -
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ROULETTE RECORDS
//www.rouletterecords.com
info@rouletterecords.com
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pianotuner steveo

It sounds like it is the spring that attaches to the aluminum damper rail to assist it to return to the rest position.
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...

Infa Red

Quote from: "pianotuner steveo"It sounds like it is the spring that attaches to the aluminum damper rail to assist it to return to the rest position.

Ok, man, thanks so much for the info. Can we somehow verify that is what it is ?

I mean, what other spring is attached to the rear of the piano like that ?

Also, once we verify that is indeed it or not, I am wondering, where/how it is suppose to attach to the aluminum damper rail ? There is no hole for it to catch into to, or designated spot that I can see.

Thanks again
--------------------------------------------------
ROULETTE RECORDS
//www.rouletterecords.com
info@rouletterecords.com
--------------------------------------------------

pianotuner steveo

I don't see what else that could be.Mine is attached with a screw,but I have a different model than you.I don't remember if that is how they attached it on the old models. Someone else will chime in, I'm sure.....
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...

shmuelyosef

My current 1975 Mk I and my older 1971 both were attached at the bottom with a screw...not to the case, but to the back of the keybed, and the spring just hooked over the back edge of the damper rail. I always use a crochet hook to fish it up and connect, or else a woodwind spring tool like:
Spring Hook in Case
"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading" --- Henny Youngman

1973 Fender-Rhodes Stage 73 Dyno > 1912 Mason & Hamlin Model A > > Nord Electro 6HP 73 > DSI OB6 analog synth > Rondetti concert accordion > dozens of melodicas, saxophones, clarinets, flutes, drums, amps...help...I'm awash in GAS!!

Infa Red

Quote from: "pianotuner steveo"I don't see what else that could be.Mine is attached with a screw,but I have a different model than you.I don't remember if that is how they attached it on the old models. Someone else will chime in, I'm sure.....

Cool, I think we are talking about the same thing now for sure (due to the other posters input as well now) - And yea, I have no screw, screw hole, or hole at all on my damper rail.

But seriously, thanks for the help. You kept me from freaking out over the last 2 days.




Quote from: "shmuelyosef"My current 1975 Mk I and my older 1971 both were attached at the bottom with a screw...not to the case, but to the back of the keybed, and the spring just hooked over the back edge of the damper rail. I always use a crochet hook to fish it up and connect, or else a woodwind spring tool like:
Spring Hook in Case

Ahhh, so that is it for sure then. Yea, I really never seen the other side of the spring due to it being too far down to see, so I just figured it was attached to the case. Guess now I know it is not, and I am sure we are talking about the same spring now.

THANK YOU SO MUCH !! I can now begin to put it back together without wondering "about that part".

So let me just get this clear, all I have to do is leaving the bottom part as is (fastened to whatever it is down there) but take the top of the spring and just hook it over any part/anywhere on that back lipped edge of the damper rail ?

Obviously I will try to hook it to a place that makes the spring look as vertical as possible, but ultimately, you are saying to just hook it to the damper rails back edge anywhere ?
--------------------------------------------------
ROULETTE RECORDS
//www.rouletterecords.com
info@rouletterecords.com
--------------------------------------------------

shmuelyosef

Quote from: "Infa Red"So let me just get this clear, all I have to do is leaving the bottom part as is (fastened to whatever it is down there) but take the top of the spring and just hook it over any part/anywhere on that back lipped edge of the damper rail ?

Obviously I will try to hook it to a place that makes the spring look as vertical as possible, but ultimately, you are saying to just hook it to the damper rails back
edge anywhere ?

Exactly correct
"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading" --- Henny Youngman

1973 Fender-Rhodes Stage 73 Dyno > 1912 Mason & Hamlin Model A > > Nord Electro 6HP 73 > DSI OB6 analog synth > Rondetti concert accordion > dozens of melodicas, saxophones, clarinets, flutes, drums, amps...help...I'm awash in GAS!!

Infa Red

Quote from: "shmuelyosef"
Quote from: "Infa Red"So let me just get this clear, all I have to do is leaving the bottom part as is (fastened to whatever it is down there) but take the top of the spring and just hook it over any part/anywhere on that back lipped edge of the damper rail ?

Obviously I will try to hook it to a place that makes the spring look as vertical as possible, but ultimately, you are saying to just hook it to the damper rails back
edge anywhere ?

Exactly correct

Thank you sir !! I guess consider this thread question answered and solved !

Hey, so on a side track note, why are so many of these not connected ? Are they really not that important or anything ? So far, everyone I have opened (pre 74 I admit though) doesn't have these springs connected. I was playing them all, and they play fine. Sustain works properly, etc..

Actually one of these even came back from my local Rhodes tech dude too. It was in for "the complete once over" -- seems he didn't think it was important enough to connect.

What kind of difference should I be expecting in the way it operates ?

(anyway, going to put it back together now) Thanks again !!
--------------------------------------------------
ROULETTE RECORDS
//www.rouletterecords.com
info@rouletterecords.com
--------------------------------------------------

pianotuner steveo

It's possible that the end of the springs broke, or just came undone while transporting at some point.
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...

Infa Red

Quote from: "pianotuner steveo"It's possible that the end of the springs broke, or just came undone while transporting at some point.

Possible they came undone, yes. But on two different rhodes ? One coming back from a servicing from a Rhodes guru god ?

Both springs are undamaged and got their ends (hook type end thing)

I'm thinking maybe their just not that important, and people know it, so they don't hook them back up ?

Like I said, they both played flawless before I even knew about these springs. I'm putting them back together over the next few days. After I play them again with the springs attached, I'll chime back in to explain the difference (if any)
--------------------------------------------------
ROULETTE RECORDS
//www.rouletterecords.com
info@rouletterecords.com
--------------------------------------------------

shmuelyosef

If you lug your piano around the dowel that transmits the pedal motion to the damper rail can rattle around and occasionally get jammed up. The spring holds it firmly in place while transporting. Otherwise, you are correct, it works fine without the spring.
"When I read about the evils of drinking, I gave up reading" --- Henny Youngman

1973 Fender-Rhodes Stage 73 Dyno > 1912 Mason & Hamlin Model A > > Nord Electro 6HP 73 > DSI OB6 analog synth > Rondetti concert accordion > dozens of melodicas, saxophones, clarinets, flutes, drums, amps...help...I'm awash in GAS!!

Infa Red

Quote from: "shmuelyosef"If you lug your piano around the dowel that transmits the pedal motion to the damper rail can rattle around and occasionally get jammed up. The spring holds it firmly in place while transporting. Otherwise, you are correct, it works fine without the spring.

Ahhh, ok, I could see that. That makes sense. If the damper rail is always snugged down to the dampers, then that gives no room for that dowel looking thing to move too far inside and get itself all cocked in a funny way.

When I go to finally attach it, (after I do some tedious tone bar and tine swapping) I will take a picture of how I attach it, so you can tell me if it is right or not.
--------------------------------------------------
ROULETTE RECORDS
//www.rouletterecords.com
info@rouletterecords.com
--------------------------------------------------