Key pedestral modification
by Allan Speers

Steve [Woodyard]...explained the key-pedestal thing: In mid '78 he introduced a "bump" in the felt which changed the action. I don't know how many years prior to that there was no bump, but my piano does not have it.
 
KEY PEDESTAL MODIFICATION PROCEDURE:
Around June 1978, A Different Key Pedestal configuration was re-incorporated into the Piano. This development provided smoother, faster action.
This pedestal modification is the addition of the smaller extra piece of felt on top of the already existing red felt. This creates a bump on the key pedestal that changes the feel.
Steve Woodyard re-introduced this bump around June '78. My Early '78 has the plastic hammers and the new action-rail, but only single felts.
*The Aluminum action rail and plastic keys were developed as an improvement in stability and ease of assembly, not a change in feel! The plastic hammers, however, MAY have changed the feel due to their lighter weight. It might be adviseable to add weights.
Pianos built without the bump in the felt may be modified by carefully pursuing the procedure below.
*NOTE: Just lubricating the red pedestal felts with a silicone spray helps somewhat. Take all the keys out and saturate them with the lubricant. let them dry before re-installing, some silicone sprays have propellants that attack plastics. Test the spray on one hammer's side to see if it is ok.
 
FULL PEDESTAL (FELT) MODIFICATION:
Materials required:
Silicon Spray
Naphtha Based Solvent/Solution (i.e., Lighter Fluid)
Clean, Absorbent Cloth
New set of felt strips
 
If buying raw felt, not Rhodes nos:
Felt should be a firm 1/16 in thick. Some piano supply houses should have something. Just adding the thickness (bump) is all that is necessary. Replacing the whole felt is a lot of work with no great benefit.
1. Remove Action Rail by following procedures outlined on Page 3-4. Maintain Hammer Assemblies in their mounted position.
2. Locate Action Rail on bench well away from other parts of the Piano and other equipment that may be harmed by the chemicals to be used.
WARNING: Prior to using the Silicon Spray and Naphtha Based Solvent, place a drop of each on the side of a Hammer to determine that no adverse effect will result from the chemical reaction with the plastic.
3. Place the Action Rail with Hammers and Dampers intact up-side-down to allow for easy access to the Felt on the Hammer Butt.
4. Saturate each Felt with Silicon Spray two or three times allowing 10 minutes soaking interval between each saturation application.
5. When the Felt's adhesive has been sufficiently reduced, slide each piece off from the Hammer Butt.
6. Thoroughly clean each Hammer Butt with a clean cloth soaked in the Naphtha Based Solvent, making sure that all of the adhesive is removed.
7. Using a clean cloth soaked in the Naphtha Based Solvent, thoroughly wipe each Key Pedestal relieving them of any trace of dust and/or lubrication that may have previously been applied.
8. Remove the Replacement Felts from the package and arrange in a straight line on a flat surface.
9. Measure 5/32" (3.969mm) in from one edge of the Felt Strip (Figure 6-3) and slice along the strip of Felts with a sharp knife ensuring that both pieces retain the protective paper backing. Lay aside the 1-13/32" (35.719mm) Felt Strips.
10. Scribe a pencil line along the top of each Key Pedestal 1-1/16" (26.988mm) from the rear surface farthest from the Key Cap.
11. One by one, remove 5/32" (3.969mm) felt pieces from the paper backing and place them on the Key Pedestal in front of (closest to the Key Cap) the scribed pencil line so that the pencil line is visible after the 5/32"(3.969mm) Felt Piece is securely mounted.
12. Remove the 1-13/32" (35.719mm) Felt Strips from the paper backing one at a time and place them on the top surface of the Key Pedestal with the 5/32" (3.969mm) Felt Piece (already) mounted. Be particularly careful to ensure that the 1-13/32" (35.719mm) Felt Strip is flush with the front (closest to the Key Cap) surface of the Key Pedestal (Figure 6-6).
NOTE: this means that you are adding the second felt ON TOP of the first felt!!!!
13. Any excess of the 1-13/32" (35.719mm) Felt Strip protruding in the rear may be trimmed off, however, function will not be impaired if it is left untrimmed.
14. Lightly spray the Felt Strip with Silicon Spray. An excess of the Silicon may reduce the Felt's adhesive and cause the Felt to fall off.
15. Replace the Action Rail by reversing Action Rail Removal procedure outlined on Page 3-4.
After the Piano has been completely reassembled, check for Escapement, and determine that a "Double-Stroking" condition does not exist.