problem with high note

[willstring]

hey guys-

i had another question that y'all may be able to help me with.  i was playing on my 1979 suitcase (73 key) and i noticed that one of the high notes (D - third note from the last) gets dampened out really quickly.

i made a quick video of it so you can see whats going on: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/29442732/IMG_0000.mp4

maybe y'all could take a look and see if you recognize any of the symptoms?  i hit some of the adjacent notes a few times to compare.  if you listen closely, you'll hear that the neighboring c# rings for much longer after you hit it compared to the d.  i checked the dampers and they are moving up and down as they should, and they are NOT touching the tine after the key has been pressed.

once again, thanks for the help.  i owe you guys....


-will

[Miguel Tuna]

In mine, the treble section is closer to the pickups as it can get, right before the "overdrive" tone:



Check this, too (The two aligned screws on the back end of the tine, keys side)

[Cormac Long]

Will,
   just looked at the video... the tonebars are far too high.

You've got good clearance with the dampers.. they are dropping quite well on the key press. So if you lower the escapement and overtone settings, you'll reclaim the volume and still have good damping.

If you end up with volume and poor sustain, you will need to move the tonebar clips which can get moved over the years from tampering.

[willstring]

guys i can't seem to figure this out.  i first tried replacing the tine, and the problem reappeared.

then i tried setting the escapement so its right in line with the other keys, and nothing seemed to improve.

then i tried moving the tine up and down in several different positions relative to the pickup, and nothing seemed to amplify the note.  i did notice the sustain improved just by working the tone bar up and down several times.

but the volume is still really low.  i moved the pickup as horizontally close as it can possibly be and still nothing improved- i can barely hear the note.

any thoughts?  could it be the pickup?

[leon-]

Really does sound like the pickup.
Try taking the tonebar, tine etc. out of the equation.
Make sure the amp is switched on and turned up to some degree.
Now take a screwdriver and gently tap against the head of the pickup (not on the wire bit, but at the top).
You should hear some sort of  thud coming out of the amplifier. If you don't, then the pickup needs to be replaced.
Leon

[The Real MC]

Check the rubber o-ring on the mounting screws for the resonator bar.  If these disintegrate, then the resonator is not isolated from the screws and this will dampen the tine vibration.  The resonator has to be isolated from the mounting screws or it will not resonate freely.

[willstring]

yep, its the pickup.  turned the volume up real loud and could BARELY hear anything when i tapped it w/ a screwdriver.  the neighboring notes made a loud thud when i hit their pickups at the same volume level.

alright, i guess this is what i need: http://www.vintagevibe.com/p-108-vintage-fender-rhodes-pick-ups.aspx

[leon-]

yep - although I always liked the look of the ones with the green wire (don't think they'd work - they're for earlier pianos...)
they just look more groovy

[willstring]

yippee!! new pickup is in.  thanks for the help y'all