When to Replace Grommets

[jpmas]

Hi. I will be ordering a set of rubber tips and damper felts from VV and was wondering if I should order grommets too.   

1.  When should the grommets be replaced? 

2. Are there any signs or symptoms that remind you that it's time to rellace them?  It's quite obvious for the felts and the rubber tips but I'm not really sure about the grommets. 

3.  What's the impact of the old grommets to the overall sound of the tines?

Thanks!

JP

[Student Rhodes]

My limited understanding of the grommets' function is to isolate the tine/tone bar "tuning fork" mechanism, and keep it free from anything that would dampen or alter its vibration (like the solid wood harp).  Think of it as the grip of your fingers on a tuning fork.  If the grip is too tight, the fork won't resonate as long.   In practical terms, when the rubber is squashed flat, or protruding unevenly from under the screws, it may transfer or dampen vibrations from the single note, and make tuning and more probably voicing the note less than optimum.

If your grommets are stiff, or squashed, it's probably a good idea to replace.  Sometimes people only replace the "bad" ones.  I've replaced them all at once, so as not to have to do it again in a year.  When replacing the grommets, it's also a good time to address other harp issues, like cleaning the tines of any surface rust, and maybe replacing the foil ground strip that runs under the tone bar springs.

Though I have heard of some pianos that sounded heavenly with various squashed grommets, and their mojo was lost upon replacement, I believe the general notion is to restore the grommets to factory fresh status for best possible results.
Ray

[David Aubke]

Every piano I've worked on had squashed, dried and cracked grommets. You're supposed to replace worn out grommets and common sense suggests it's a good idea but then there's reality... Frankly, if you're happy with your current tone and you don't feel like doing the job, leave them be. If you've got some thunky notes, change the grommets.

If you've tried changing the voicing by raising or lowering the mounting screws and you've noticed the tone bar wanders back and forth as the screws turn, change out the screws and do the grommets while you're in there. Every piano I've worked on has also had at least a few bent tone bar screws.

[pianotuner steveo]

I agree with David.

[Max Brink]

The function of the grommet is to properly suspend the tone bar so that it has the proper attack and sustains properly. Grommets that are either too loose or too firm and it can cause oscillating notes or nasally bark. If they are deformed they may need more frequent adjustments or will not be functioning properly at all. One big giveaway that the grommet is not functioning properly is usually when they are deformed or when the tone bars seem loose.

We replace the grommets on almost all of the pianos that come through the workshop. We've used a few of the different brands as well as testing generic McMaster grommets and found that the Retro Linear grommets are tooled and function the best. With them side by side others you'll notice just by looking at them that the opening of the grommet is centered while others are oval shaped and you can also feel a noticeable difference in the density of the rubber between the brands. The past three clients who came in with other brand grommets that were installed in their pianos within just the past few years have opted for the Retro Linear grommets to be installed after hearing the difference in our shop.

[rhodesjuzz]

I'm about to replace my grommets and screws. I just wondered if there are more people who experienced differences between the different brands (the obvious ones?!). Thanks!!

--Roy

[Tim Hodges]

The past three clients who came in with other brand grommets that were installed in their pianos within just the past few years have opted for the Retro Linear grommets to be installed after hearing the difference in our shop.

I've used Retro Linear's grommets before and I've found them to be superb. I used another competitors since and I didn't have as good a result. In particular I had difficulty voicing a few of the treble notes, I spent time re-adjusting the tine, tone-bar, springs and adding a clip until I realised that this other grommet was far too tight on the screw and tone-bar which consequently dampened the note almost immediately. I replaced them with a couple of spare Retro Linear grommets I had around and it was good to go. So I'll use them again.

[10 Lug]

Where do you obtain Retro Linear grommets?
Thank you

[Tim Hodges]

Where do you obtain Retro Linear grommets?
Thank you

www.retrolinear.com/web-store/rhodes-replacement-parts.aspx

[rhodesjuzz]

Thanks Tim. Do they work for all Rhodes/tonebar types?

Thank you.

[Tim Hodges]

Thanks Tim. Do they work for all Rhodes/tonebar types?

Thank you.

Hi Rhodesjuzz, as long as the piano uses a rubber grommet for tonebar / harp isolation then I see no problem in using them.

Cheers

[Chris Carroll]

https://youtu.be/HRabYzSZ4cc

Here is some solid info for anyone wanting to learn a little about grommets-

[AvionKeys]

Here's Part 1 of a video we did on grommets. Hope it helps. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWuxcATU-Mw