Electric pianos are wonderful, but one thing we’ve always found slightly lacking is the sustain pedals. Sadly they sometimes they feel like an afterthought. Now granted, the Wurlitzer pedal is certainly a better design than the Rhodes piano, but, sometimes they just don’t work properly.
Whether the pedal isn’t working at all, allowing all notes to sustain, or making some notes sustain and not others; there’s a good chance we’ve got you covered here. First, an explanation into how the pedal works:
The Wurlitzer pedal on 200 models is a footpedal mechanism with a long cable attached. At the top of this cable is a housing containing a metal cylinder also known as a ferrule. This is what is screwed into the underside of the Wurlitzer. The pedal works a little bit like a bicycle brake: one end of the wire is pulled which pulls something at other end of the wire. In this case when the foot pedal is pressed it pulls the damper rail down which lifts the dampers. There’s a good chance you already know this information, but it’s important to understand how the pedal works so we can fix it.
Here’s a list of potential problems that might be going on from most likely to less likely. Follow it step by step and hopefully the problem will be solved.
Solutions:
- Check the sustain pedal is actually inserted in. I know it’s obvious, but the housing needs to be connected, and the ferrule (metal cylinder) needs to be screwed in. The majority of cases in the pedal not working are because this isn’t screwed in properly. The housing can be tight to insert. Don’t force it, but it may need a firm push to get it in.
- Depending on the ago of the pedal and whether it’s been serviced, sometimes there is a ‘sweet spot’ to these pedals. Meaning that it might require being screwed all the way in or the underside of the Wurli, or maybe only partially in. (Vintage electric pianos are notorious for these idiosyncrasies, well, it’s been 50 years since they were made). Sometimes screwed all the way in these pedals can cause the dampers not to work at all. No problem, just back it off a bit. With the housing fully inserted into the base hole, screw the ferrule fully in, and gradually loosen it until no notes are sustained without the pedal down (except the top few notes of course).
- If both of these are good. Check the pedal isn’t broken. Sometimes the wire can snap. Remove the pedal and press the pedal lever to see if the mechanism moves. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to order a new pedal wire.
- Pedal isn’t brown but isn’t working? Ok now we have to think about adjusting the pedal itself. Near the top of the pedal just below the metal housings two screws. These keep the wire in place as it is being pulled. We can regulate the pedal by moving the wire up or down relative to these screws. Over time the pressing of the pedal can pull it down – if it’s low raise it back up.
- If that doesn’t work, take a look at the pedal box itself. Is the cord way out of the pedal housing? This can lead to the same problem as the point above. This may require going inside the pedal and inspecting everything. Be careful with the four screws on the back. Removing them will cause problems.
- If the pedal is working, then the problem may be inside the Wurlitzer itself. Unscrew the two screws on top of the lid, the three on the underside, and lift the lid off. Make sure to turn off and unplug your Wurli before doing this. Check the middle section around the back of the piano. There should be a spring mechanism that is screwed into the damper rail. Check the spring – though it’s quite rare that it’s broken. If it is contact us as this is a hard part to replace. If that’s fine, above the spring is a screw that connects the pedal mechanism to the damper rail. If this screw is missing, then if won’t lift. Replace this screw and you should be good to go.
- That’s all fine? Ok – now we’re inside the Wurlitzer remove the hum shield. This is the metal casing that sits above the action. Once removed check that the damper rail is screwed in properly in the middle and at both ends. The screws on the extreme ends of the piano can be misaligned occasionally. Check that they are ok. If not, adjust them so the dampers sit evenly on the reeds.
- Still stuck? No worries. Send us a message and we’ll try to help.