hey guys
i own a shuman & sons upright, and i think something is wrong with it. when i press down the practice pedal and lock it, the second half of the keyboard doesn't play soft, it still plays loud. but if i press the pedal down and hold it with my foot instead of locking it, it works. does that mean that the felt that goes between the hammer and the strings when the pedal is pressed is worn out? and how much would that cost to replace, if needed (or what else should i do)?
oh also, how much is the average price to voice a piano? because i don't like how bright my piano sounds, i want a duller, softer sound. that's why i tend to use the practice pedal a lot (i know, bad habit). but i heard that when you voice a piano, it just goes back the way it was after a few months? can someone clarify

Open the top of your piano and see what's going on. Most likely the felt is getting hung up on something, or doesn't drop down far enough, or the rail holding it isn't level.

Do you slide your practice pedal to the side to lock it, or do you tap it once to lock, once more to unlock? If the latter, perhaps the lock mechanism is not working.

A piano needs to be tuned and regulated before being voiced. How old is yours?

So, the cost depends on what other work is needed. You could expect to pay several hundred dollars for tuning and voicing in CA.

Yes, all pianos get brighter over time, but voicing lasts longer than tuning (generally). It depends on what kind of hammers you have, their condition, and how much you play.

More info:
http://ptg.org/resources-pianoOwners-voicing.php

--Cy--

The felt is probably worn out. It should cost under $5 for new felt.

Is this a newer Shuman (15 years or so) or an older upright? If it's a newer one, the rail that holds the felt that goes between the hammer and the strings can be tweaked enough to allow one side to allow one side to mute and the other not. Sometimes bending the rail "gently" is necessary.

IF it's an older one, the felt is worn. I suspect it's a more recent model, though, judging by what you say about brightness.

Most techs of reasonable ability in CA charge anywhere from 60-90$ an hour. It's impossible to say what kind of time this will take without seeing the piano first.

Tuning is definitely the first step, though. The mute pedal problem sounds like an easy enough fix so that the cost might be included in the cost of a regular service call.

I will tell you exactly whats wrong!! Im only 16 but mine has the same problem...

Okay..When you push the practice pedal a thin felt strip goes down between the hammers and strings...

The prob;em is that its not going all the way down..I bet you the screws need to be tightened..

Mine started when my tuner took it off..and didnt put it on tight enough..So go check it out,and let us know whats going on