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Hi everyone,

I recently purchased a Wendl & Lung 178 grand piano (2011 ex shop model) and I've been having some trouble with the responsiveness of the notes. I contacted the company I purchased it from and discussed the problem which is: When I play certain notes they still continue to sound even though I have let go of them.

So after doing some research on the internet, I found that this is to do with regulation and hammer action but at first I thought it may have been because the piano had been left on its side whilst being delivered from the warehouse to my house but the company I purchased the piano off told me that would not affect it.

They came to do the first tuning after a month or so and they fixed the sustaining note problem. I was told that the notes weren't responding correctly because the piano was new and that it is very common with new pianos, however it is now a month later and the problem is back. Is this something that is going to continue to come back within every month or so and how can it be prevented?

The piano is played every day as I am a university music student and so it really needs to be working correctly. I'd appreciate any-ones help and advice.

Many thanks,
Jessica

Hi Jessica,

Of course, no one could tell for sure without actually seeing your piano, but I will say that dampers can hang up a bit on new grand pianos while everything is "breaking in." The felt damper bushings could be slightly tight, for instance. I would continue working with the dealer until all the kinks are ironed out.

Do try to keep the piano from excessive humidity, as this can aggravate that problem.

You have chosen a good piano and should not have to put up with mechanical problems from the start. The instrument will have a warranty and tell the dealer you want it fixed STAT.

Marty, it's not cause for alarm in most cases. I see this problem with new grands pretty often, and it's nothing that some simple adjustments over a bit of time doesn't fix.

Loren D: Yes I think this is what the technician was suggesting and he technician managed to sort out the problem but I didn't expect it to come back so soon. I'd say within a couple of weeks I was already starting to notice slight sustaining issues returning. My previous upright piano was part exchanged for the grand and there were no humidity problems. The room temperature is fine for the piano and we have recently put a humidifer in the room incase!

Minnesota Marty: That is exactly how I feel, that there should be no issues because it's brand new! My previous piano was an U1 Yamaha Upright and I'm currently regretting getting rid of it after 4 years as I never had any problems with it, however my instrumental teacher reccomended upgrading to a grand..

Loren, I understand that. But, she's a piano student who needs the piano for daily practice and doesn't need the frustration. If she doesn't express her concern, it will just be pushed aside.

Oh I agree. I said she should work with the dealer to get it fixed. I was just trying to assuage any fears she had about the piano overall.

Jessica,

Loren is right in that it is probably a very minor issue and in the realm of things,is not earth shattering. However, it is a major issue to you. You are the customer and deserve to be treated to the best the store can offer. If it's an easy fix, then they should fix it and not wait for the next time it is tuned.

Yeah I am hoping it is really just because the piano is new but it is proving to sometimes be quite a disruptive issue when it comes to practice. Will send them an email asking them to come back again which wasn't particularly easy to arrange last time as they are a good 2 hours drive away...but fingers crossed lol.

Or the damper underlevers; from the OP's description of this returning it reads like a spray was used and was not effective.
Underlever centers...

For sure!

Oh definitely on that. This is not something that should wait until the next routine tuning.

In reality they are obligated to return at the OP’s request. The repair has failed or the repair procedure was faulty.

I've had the chance to work on quite a few Hailuns recently, for a local dealer. I believe Wendl and Lung is made by Hailun?

If so, it is definitely the damper guide rail bushings that are at fault. Protek or other lubricants are not enough, they need to be eased with the proper tool.

Afterwards no problem. These pianos are very nice. This problem is common with many brands, especially all new pianos.

All the best.

Jessica, just to clarify, when I said it was a "minor issue," I meant minor as far as the repair goes. I certainly didn't mean minor as in, no big deal for you, or as in belittling the situation.

Yes, it's a major issue for you because you bought the piano and it should be working properly. So just to make sure I was clear on that! Definitely the store should take care of it sooner rather than later.

Hello Jessica

One, maybe the damper lever to key setting is not correct, not allowing the damper to sit fully on the string and so therefore not damping effectively.

Two, maybe the sustain pedal adjustment is holding the entire damper assembly slightly off the strings.

Three, maybe a combination of 1 & 2.

What area are you from?

I concur with Jean, check the damper guide rail and ease it properly, not just lube. Also make sure it is screwed down tight.

When you press on the pedal very gently, do the dampers move right away or is there a little "lost motion" in the pedal? You want a small amount of lost motion.

Well Jessica,

Your problem has been well considered by remote control. However, none of it solves your problem. Lorin is now in agreement that you are certainly within your rights to call the store and have it fixed, pronto. Don't worry about the drive time. The store will most likely contact a tech in your area. The store had no problems selling to someone two hours away, its their problem, not yours. Consider that in a large city, a two hour drive is still in the metropolitan area.

Jean - Wendl & Lung was produced by Hailun. It is no longer distributed and has been replaced as Feurich.

I think this is where the problem might have originated. Had the piano been on the showroom floor, these issues would probably become apparent then and there, and a tech would have fixed it prior to delivery.

If the dealer tries his luck and ships directly from the warehouse without thorough pre-delivery inspection, he runs the risk of costly after-sales service. Regardless of distance to the dealership, the client has a right to a proper working instrument. The dealer should send a good tech out to fix it once and for all.