Low Volume on PickUp Rail

[echoisc]

I have a 726b that I have been cleaning up. I took the reed bar off during the initial cleaning of the piano and since I have put everything back together the reed bar or pick up rail on the upper octaves is at a very low volume. The notes start to drop in volume roughly around E4 through the rest of the notes up. Any idea?  It didn't seem to do this before, but I also had just been given it when I started to clean it out. Also, there is a threaded grounding wire in two different spots that doesn't connect to each other or anything else. They just hang about 6 in. down. Shouldn't they ground to something on both ends? 

[pianotuner steveo]

If there is any way that you can attach pictures, it would be helpful.  The wurlitzer reed bar is very easily shorted out. They used plastic insulator washers to keep the mounting screws from shorting the top and bottom, aka the + and the - sides.

There could be a problem with one or both of the upper mounting screws, or you could have debris laying on the treble side causing a short. The ground wires should all be connected too. Is one end free or are both ends free on this wire?

Are you sure this is not a 720B?

I don't remember a student version of the 720, but it could just be my memory...

[echoisc]

both of the grounding wires are mounted. one is on the sustain plate screw and one is mounted under the pick up rail screw coming from the 140b.  but both wires just dangle about 6 in down not EVER COMINg in contact with anything unless I wrap then around the wood brace along the back. ill get pics

[echoisc]

hoe do I attach the pics? I thought I had done it correctly but it never posted

[moderator.. added images to this post]

[pianotuner steveo]

I don't know how to attach pics...

Can someone help echoisc?

[Cormac Long]

echoisc,

There's a post on how to attach images..
http://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=6394.0

but to speed up things, you can email the photos to electricpianoforum.photoupload@picasaweb.com

and I'll add them into the post for you.

[Cormac Long]

Folks,
  images added above in earlier post.

[echoisc]

Thanks Cormac, I think I have it figured out to upload pics.

One of the pics is of the bottom notes. The damper arms are hitting and resting on the hum shield. Any suggestions on how to remedy that?
Aside from the two pics of the ground wire hanging, I put one of the harp.  I did take the harp out when cleaning it out. The upper octaves having a volume and a stikeline issue didn't begin till I put it back on. If that helps in offering me any solutions.
Thanks

[echoisc]

Thanks Cormac, I think I have it figured out to upload pics.

One of the pics is of the bottom notes. The damper arms are hitting and resting on the hum shield. Any suggestions on how to remedy that?
Aside from the two pics of the ground wire hanging, I put one of the harp.  I did take the harp out when cleaning it out. The upper octaves having a volume and a stikeline issue didn't begin till I put it back on. If that helps in offering me any solutions.
Thanks

Anyone?

[cinnanon]

The hum shield you speak of is non-original to that keyboard, which is probably why you have some issues. These didn't come out until the 200A series. Though they may fit on 140 style actions, I have never seen it done. 140B have steel lids which naturally create a hum shield (when grounded of course) and there's no significant need for the reedbar shields. If your lid is painted black on the inside, it's conductive paint and those loose grounding wires have something to do with it.  I've seen 140B's that connect the lid resting/mounting blocks with ground wires to ensure grounding of all parts of the lid. Check if the black paint is conductive with a DMM. The inside of the piano is painted with the same stuff it looks like.

[echoisc]

Ok, so remove the hum shield.  That will definitely take care of the damper arm issue. would tge the ground wires then just be stapled to the body where its painted?  Would it help to replace the wire with a shielded one?
Also what is the purpose of the square pieces on top of the reeds on the octave up from middle c?

[cinnanon]

The steel blocks can be removed but you'll have to retune. I think that was their attempt to keep reeds from breaking in that section?? I've always removed and retuned. Should get some more sustain and volume out of it too.

As far as the ground wires go, no need to shield them. I'll have to look at the pictures more closely to see where they may have once gone. Maybe the lid? Maybe to the amp?

[pianotuner steveo]

Do not remove the blocks in the treble. It has nothing to do with reeds breaking, but more to do with tonal quality.

It looks like someone replaced the pickup wire.
Where exactly is the (+) wire connected? It is hidden in the one picture. Be sure the (+) and (-) of the pickup wire are not shorted at all. Check with your meter, it should read the same as an open connection, I.E. Just like holding the meter leads in the air away from each other. If you are getting any kind of a reading there, then there is a problem and likely cause of low volume. Removing the non original shields may also reveal the problem.

[echoisc]

Thanks Steve,  i have removed the shields and plan on testing with the meter.  I also made a power cable with the ground wire splitting off from the two prong on the amp and screwed it down to the chasis. Im thinking i will take the two ground wires from the sustain pedal and the reed bar and wire them down to the chasis as well, otherwise its not really grounded.