Piano - notes linger long after playing

[JeMeSouviens]

I've just bought a 2nd hand piano which has been delivered just now.

When I went to see it, it was in a large warehouse and I noticed the notes lingering (for want of a better word, or resonating). I had one of the piano restorers look it over, she said it was in good condition and didn't need anything doing to it, and the lingering was probably due to the cavernous space and lack of things to absorb the sound.

It's now in our dining room and has the same lingering effect. Is this just a matter of tuning?

We have wooden floors in dining room, no rugs, would this make a difference?

[BrigitBigKnickers]

No It's nothing to do with the tuning, more like a problem with the felts on the dampeners not falling back onto the strings as the key is released.

Take off the front and have a look at the action. The dampeners might need adjusting.

[ShellingPeas]

As BBK says it will be the damper action. You could have a piano tuner take a look as they may know how to adjust it. Otherwise give the piano restorer who had a look at it a ring and say the problem is persisting and you need it sorted - if you bought it on her advice and her advice was faulty then you may have a claim to return it.

[JeMeSouviens]

I'm assuming then this isn't normal? Even in a very old piano? I think it is from 1938. It was the only one they had within my budget and is lovely to look at and to my unexperienced eye the strings and hammers seem to be in very good condition.

The dampeners do seem to be falling back on the strings but maybe not firmly enough. I did buy it after being convinced by the restorer that is was all in good working order. I'll get it checked by a tuner once it settles in.

[ShellingPeas]

The damper felts may need replacing - they absorb moisture from the air and can dry out depending on conditions under which the piano is kept. If the piano has just arrived, give it a few weeks to settle in before having it tuned and then get the piano tuner's opinion.

[JeMeSouviens]

Will do, thanks for your advice.