When the damper or sustain pedal is not working properly, it can be extremely distracting and annoying to the pianist. Sometimes the pedal may not lift the dampers enough or various parts of the pedal system can become stuck and cause the notes to sustain longer than intended. Damper pedals can also break and sometimes require replacement. For any piano pedal service, consult a professional technician for a high-quality, lasting repair to your instrument.
Repairing, Replacing or Adjusting Piano Pedals
A technician can fix the most common pedal issues by adjusting the pedal mechanism. The pedal mechanism is located behind the kick board on an upright piano or underneath the keyboard on a grand. The pedals are typically connected to horizontal levers by pedal rods, which extend up to activate the appropriate action mechanism. On a grand piano the pedal rods connect to the system known as trap-work.
The damper pedal is one of the most important parts of the piano and they almost always need at least minor adjustment during regular piano servicing. Sometimes the pedals may require more extensive realignment. An experienced technician can tell you which adjustments or repairs are needed to restore your sustain pedal.
In rare cases, a damper pedal may break and leave behind a jagged edge. The broken pedal or entire pedal set may need to be replaced. In this case, work with a professional who uses authentic parts to match the model and year of your piano.
How to Adjust Damper Pedals
Pedal rods usually fall out of the correct position because there is too much freeplay. The horizontal lever and the pedal move too much before the vertical rod rises. In cases of severe freeplay, the rod will not rise enough to allow the action parts to work correctly — you step on the damper pedal, but the note does not sustain.
A trained technician can adjust the freeplay to about 1/16″. After a proper adjustment, the vertical rod will move very little and stay in place during the process. Keep in mind that your piano pedals need a small amount of freeplay to function properly.
HIRE A PROFESSIONAL BRADFIELD PIANO TECHNICIAN
Whether you’re an experienced or novice pianist, the damper pedal is essential to play at your best. When it comes to restoring your family piano, hire a team of expert professionals with decades of experience in the business.
At Bradfield Piano, our technicians are committed to delivering the best customer service possible. Preserve your piano investment with our extensive range of services, including repair and maintenance visits, refinishing and Steinway piano restorations. As a reputable piano restoration and repair company, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Need a piano repair or recommendation? Give Bradfield Piano a call today!
