Getting A Smooth Action

[Rendall]

After realising the cost to improve my MK1 stage 73's action, I've had to think about doing it myself. I was down at Hammond Hire and happend to have a feel at a keybed that had just been re-actioned. It was AMAZING. It felt like a bouncy smooth new piano.

The guy told me that a lot goes into it. From cleaning all the gunk from between the keys, to bouncing up (or replacing felts) and aligning pins. Also re-bushing (or tightening the bush?).

My action isn't the worst out there. All the keys are level, none of them stick. But pulling off a glissando isn't the easiest of manovers. So is this a job that I could do alone? It's like £300 ($500) to be done professionaly. I'm quite patient so I don't mind spending the time......

///Cheers///

[Loucas]

"Take all of the keys out and spray the felts with a silicone spray. Let dry for an hour or two. Also spray the action rail in the back with that stuff".
This was the advice from the guys here in this  site and it solved the same problem i had with my Mark I 1974 model.

[Rendall]

Wicked. But is it worth cleaning the keys? Fair enough it must only add a fration of a mm but still..... I don't mind doing it. And also, what about the pins? Any way of working out they are straight? Lastly, the re-bushing. How do I know if it needs it!?

Nice one Loucas

[hrees]

£300? From what I've seen of that guy's work I wouldn't let him near a rhodes if he offered to do it for free. I've seen a £400 job by Hammond Hire where they did nothing but replace a few tines, voice the harp (badly) and tune it. The action hadn't been touched even though it was well heavy and the hammer tips were worn out. I spent the best part of 2 days correcting it.

Just take off the action rail, get a wire brush and some silicone. Wire brush the key pedestals. Vacuum up the residue and apply the silicone. This will give your rhodes that new feel you describe.

Rebushing is fairly straight forward and any friendly piano tech can help you out with that. To reduce key bounce replace the felt strip under the back of the key peds.

[Rendall]

Wicked. You are really a starrrrrrr.....

Have any idea where I could get some silicone spray? I'm in London, so anywhere local...?

Thankyou very much for your help