Damper adjustments
by Steve Woodyard

Rhodes dampers are like leaf springs and it does not matter which version you have; they all functioned the same. There were three basic types: spring loaded like on pianos (prior to 1970), individual aluminum and modular aluminum. This paper will deal with the aluminum dampers.
The flat aluminum damper has three areas (regardless of whether it is modular or individual): the spring or tension area, the adjustment area and the pad area. The spring or tension area is the section between the screw hole (end of the damper) where the damper mounts to the action rail and the bridle strap (green strap) tongue. The adjustment area is between the tongue and the pad area and pad area holds the felt pad.
CAUTION: DO NOT DO ANYTHING THAT PUTS STRESS TO THE BRIDLE STRAP TONGUE.
Proper spring tension exists when the tension area is straight prior to mounting. Remove the mounting screw at the back end (if modular, then three screws). With an xacto knife, cut or slice any glue at the screw mount area (not the bridle strap glue), so that you can detach the damper from the action rail. The damper should just lay loose. The tension area should be straight. If it is not, slightly bend the damper, between the tongue and the back end, until the tension area is straight. Re-mount the damper and make sure it is evenly aligned between the dampers on each side. The tension area should have a gentle arc to it. This is the damper tension. With your finger push the damper pad down one inch and let go. The damper should snap back to position and not flop around. All the dampers should respond the same way.
With the harp down in position and the tines properly aligned to the pickups, press the note for the damper you adjusted, down. The damper should start to move away from the tine just slightly after you started to press the key. At the bottom of the keystroke the damper should clear the tine by __ inch. On older Rhodes, the high end dampers are "V" shaped (1/8 in. of "V" then __ in. of solid pad). It is advised to cut away the 1/8 in. of "V." It causes false sounds and does not improve dampening.
Before any damper bending is performed double-check to make sure it is really needed.
If the damper does not properly pull away from the tine or it pulls too far and lets the note over-ring, then adjust the damper by gently (do not stress the tongue) bending the damper in the adjustment area. Bend up to eliminate ringing and bend down if proper clearance (1/2 in.) is needed.