Coffee spill on the Bridge

[Gary Mushlin]

Ric,

I think what you wrote is fine, as long as it is understood that damage 
from these incidents is  cumulative. I think it would be hard to prove  
that one incident will cause so much immediate damage, other that what 
Wim indicated (maybe replacing strings and a few bridge pins). However, 
I don't think anyone would disagree that many incidents like this will 
hasten the day that major repair will be needed.

You might head up your list with "Each time an incident like this 
happens, the piano is affected as follows: "

You might conclude by indicating the consequences to the piano in terms 
of performance capability and life span. Follow this with suggestions 
for preventing future incidents.

Sincerely,
Gary Mushlin, MME, RPT


On Saturday, April 17, 2004, at 12:40  PM, Richard Brekne wrote:

> Hi folks
>
> I need some advice.
>
> Today I found that one of our practice grands, a Bluther which was in 
> quite good shape, had taken a rather nasty hit.  Upon entering the 
> room I noticed a plastic coffee cup sitting on the top of the piano.  
> The cup then was just over the bridge at the break between the treble 
> and high treble sections.  There was an obvious stain on the top and 
> upon looking in the top six notes of the treble section were soaked 
> (still somewhat dampI and there was dried coffee stain spread out 
> around the surrounding area on both sides of the soundboard.  It 
> appeared that the person responsible had spilled the coffee...said " 
> Opps ! " and sat the still not completely empty coffee cup up back 
> where it had been and just continued to play... thinking nothing 
> really of it.
>
> I am asked to write a report describing the extent and seriousness of 
> the damage and this is what I need your advice on. This is  University 
> environment so there is a certain need for formalities and 
> accountability involved.
>
> I want the seriousness of this kind of misuse of instruments accented, 
> and the resulting damage potential underlined as much as is advisable 
> without overstateing the problem.
>
> I thought of making the following points.
>
> 1.  The wood will soak in much moisture and attempt to swell, which 
> will be resisted by the bridge pins resulting in compressed bridge pin 
> holes which will yield  loose pins upon drying out.
>
> 2. This can contribute to cracking around the bridge pins both because 
> of the sideways stress of the bridge pins on the cap while wet, and 
> the resulting compression of the wood around the pins.
>
> 3.  Potential for weakening the glue joint between bridge and 
> soundboard.
>
> 4.  Localized swelling of the panel around the bridge area can result 
> in unpredicatble changes in local crown with whatever effect on the 
> sound  that results.
>
> 5. Rust on both strings and bridge pins.
>
> Please advise as to the validity of these claims and any other points 
> that should be raised.
>
> Thanks muchly
>
> RicB
>
>
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