Grommets questions

[echoisc]

Ive got a set of grommets from vv, and before I embark two questions
How do you know when they are in need of replacing?

And are there any tips for installation that wouldn't seem obvious?
Wulitzer 200a
Thanks

[pianotuner steveo]

If you have original Rhodes  grommets, you need to replace them. I'm confused about why your post says " Wurlitzer 200A" in it. The damper arm grommets in Wurlitzers are different from Rhodes tone bar grommets. I've never had to replace the Wurlitzer type.

[echoisc]

Yeah ive replaced the one in the Rhodes, these are for the wurlitzer sold by vv, they recommend replacing them.

[pianotuner steveo]

For the tops of the dampers?

Why?

This is a headache job and completely unnecessary unless the originals are crumbling.

It is very easy to snap a damper sticker, I wouldn't mess with them unless absolutely needed.

( The stickers are the long thin wooden part at the back of the action that the damper screws w/grommets thread into)

[echoisc]

Don't think I will be starting that one.  Thanks for the advice

[pianotuner steveo]

It is important to get the adjustment at the grommet correct. There should be a gap about the thickness of a business card there.

[echoisc]

That is just adjusting the hex screw on top right? All of the grommets seem to be doing their job. I am in the middle of voicing and tuning it. It seems after a month of gigs it is already in need of a tune-up. I have a 726 that has a one or two bad grommets. Can I just replace those or do I need to do the whole when I change one?

[pianotuner steveo]

Yes, it is the screw at the top, but the problem is the place of wood that it threads into is very fragile, so you need to carefully hold the wooden sticker with needle nose pliers when turning the screw.

Yes, you can change one or two as you need to. A much better idea than doing the whole set at once.
Just save your spares to use as you need to in the future.

[Max Brink]

Do not waste your time or money replacing all the grommets. The only reason to replace a grommet within a Wurlitzer is if they are broken... Their only function is to allow the sustain pedal to dip down with as little friction as possible on the damper regulation screw and to keep the damper regulation screw firmly attached within the clip it is attached to.

Every once and a while a half dozen need to be replaced on a piano that was not properly cared for but if you actually need to replace a third or more of the piano I would wonder what condition the rest of the piano must be in...

As Steveo points out, if you do need to replace any of the grommets remove the damper regulation screw as carefully as possible.

[echoisc]

Thanks to you both for the guidance. I replaced six of them.  Take them off is harder than putting them on, but with respect it was a gentle process. Action on those keys do seem a little quieter. Good to have some of these in bag, just in case.

[HeyItsBen]

A LOT quieter, in my experience. When I'm regulating the damper levers, I don't want to see a lot of front-and-back slop at the back of the damper lever when I push down the key. I think that, over time, the hole through the grommet wallows out, creating a much looser fit, and it hardens, too, and the damper adjusting screw just kind of bangs around in there, being noisy. For piano techs out there, think noisy spinet lifter wires.

Thanks to you both for the guidance. I replaced six of them.  Take them off is harder than putting them on, but with respect it was a gentle process. Action on those keys do seem a little quieter. Good to have some of these in bag, just in case.

First post!

[pianotuner steveo]

Yes, it's quieter if you replace them, but that noise does not get amplified and come through the speakers.

Again, this is a PITA job, and if you break those fragile sticker arms, they are difficult to find, and difficult to replace.

Not worth the effort unless absolutely needed IMHO