Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum hard to believe, but it happened!!

Within hours of my piano being tuned (it played and sounded great right after the tuning),I heard, while playing, a noise that sounded like a firecracker coming from the piano. I also noticed that several of the notes in the treble didn't sound just right; and called my tech back! (The tech found no broken stringsm and everything else seemed to be okay). Any thoughts on what might be going on? Thanks, Larry

Either you tech's lying to you, or hes just a very horrible tuner who should immediantley go out of business. Are you sure that nothing was dropped down into the piano that could be vibrating and creating noise? I really don't know.

A little more info? Grand piano or vertical? Does this noise happen all the time you are playing, or was it a one-time deal? If it happens when you are playing, is it certain notes, or all of them? My gut feeling when I read your post was a cracked plate, which would explain the noise and the treble going flat all of a sudden. I hope I am wrong. I'll check back for your reply.....Sam

Immediately after the piano was tuned, I started playing, and had been for about fifteen minutes, when I was suddenly startled by a rather loud bang not unlike a firecracker or a gun shot that seemed to have originated inside the piano. Briefly stopping for a moment, I began to play again when I was again startled by a second loud bang, at which time I stopped playing and called the tech on the phone. (I might add, prior to the tuning, the action was removed and the action flange screws were tightened before the unit was placed back into the piano). I'm not sure where I go from here. Any suggestions would be most welcomed! p.s. Thanks Sam & jgoo for your imput! Larry

........almost forgot, I have a Yamaha U3, and I've only heard the "Bang" those two times.

Larry

Larry- have you been able to re-duplicate that sound since? I'm not thinking cracked plate anymore because it's a Yamaha U3 (always possible to crack, but I think unlikely in this piano). Now I'm thinking pedal connecting rods, because the action was out. Try working the pedals, esp. your sustain pedal. See if that reproduces the sound.....Any more clues?.........Sam

Ever heard a sound board crack? Sounds just like a fire cracker.

no, Bob, I havent, but I'll take a look. Thanks, Larry

Thanks, Sam, for your update. In your note you mentioned "pedal connecting rods." I do remember hearing a noise (like something had fallen)after the action had been worked on and was being placed back into the piano. I questioned the noise and was told it was only the pedal connecting rods.

Ninety per cent of the piano sounds vibrant and full of life (good tonal quality). The area of concern starts with G above middle C. When you play the chromatic scale there are several notes that just don't sound right; not so much out of key but sounding "shallow"? I've tried working the pedals to see if I could re-duplicate that sound, but it has never come back again.

On a lighter note, my best wishes to you and yours for the holiday season. (I guess this is not the day to be a turkey)!!

Thanks again,
Larry

My first thought was likewise a cracked plate even though the odds against that are overwhelming. Moreover, certainly a fair number of notes would go substantially out of tune as well were that the case.

I think it's something of a mystery and a really qualified tech should be contacted to determine what's happening here.

Good Luck!

Mark Mandell www.pianosource.com

Thanks, Mark, for your comments, and I hope your holiday was a relaxing one!

Larry

Larry- I'm really atarting to like the pedal rods and/or simply the action not being put back in quite right. That could explain the noises and the weak sounding notes. That's about all I have for you, cant wait for the answer...........Sam

Thanks, Sam, for your post. I've tried calling the technician, but she hasn't answered my call yet. Hopefully soon!

Larry

Sam, it's me again (I hope I'm not wearing my welcome out)! Just spoke with the piano tech and she will be coming out in a couple of days to check things over. I suggested she might want to remove the action to check and see that everything is okay and in its prospective place. She assured me that if the action had not been properly placed, the piano would not play. (Is it possible the auction could be returned, not quite in its proper position and still play)?

Thanks,
Larry

No, you're not wearing out your welcome, I am very interested in this one. Yes, it is possible to have the action a bit off and still have it play. How do I know? I've done it.....Remember, it's still just a guess on my part. Sounds like she is being very responsible. I tell my clients that I don't promise perfection, but I do promise to do what it takes to make it right if I fall short. Feel free to continue to post, or e-mail me if you need a quicker response (I check e-mail often).........Sam

Thanks, Sam. for your imput--I'll keep you posted!

Larry

Yep that's is right!

What you describe sounds to me like a plain wire string broke.

Uh..13 year old thread.