I have a quick question about middle C on our 1948 Cable Nelson spinet piano (she's old but we pamper her). Just this week, the middle C hammer has started double striking the strings when played with medium pressure. If played very softly or loudly, this doesn't happen. When I opened the top of the piano, the middle C hammer has a vibration to it after it strikes the strings. None of the other hammers do this. Our tuner was just here last week and everything went well. We've just developed a new problem. I have left a message for him to give me a call.

My question is ... is this a simple thing to fix? Or is this something serious and expensive?

We are planning to buy a new piano in Spring or Summer of 2010 and have been actively shopping. We're choosing between Charles Walter, Yamaha, or Kawai upright studios or consoles for our next piano. Do we need to move our purchase to a closer date?

Hi Latelearner (better late than never)

Your middle C problem is not a serious issue to fix. It could be a couple different things. Any decent piano tech should be able to diagnose the prob and get it fixed lickity-split.

Thanks, John. I appreciate your input. Hopefully it's a quick fix ... although I admit a little disappointment that it's not time to run out and get that new piano yet. ; )

I hope you're having a great week!

Shelly in OK

Now I understand....
You were trying to find a reason to justify getting the new piano sooner rather than later.
If only everyone that had a problem with a single key persued buying a new piano, we owners of piano stores would be in luck!