Hey, Michelle, I've done this a few times (midwestern winters and their discontents, you know) and there are two basic procedures I have used. My preferred repair is to take the tension off the bass strings, remove the screw holding the apron to the soundboard, tip the piano on its back, take the bass strings off the hitch pins, and remove the entire bridge/apron assembly. Then drill pilot holes through the apron into the bridge and glue & screw the two together, screws going through the apron and into the bridge. Then glue & screw the apron back onto the soundboard, usually using longer screws than original so they actually penetrate the apron. Sometimes you have to drill an access hole through a back post to get at a screw. That's always fun. :-) I can usually get this done in a couple of hours, then pull the bass strings back up to pitch and tune. BTW, I also remove the bottom board and pedal stretcher. This gives much better access and makes the job go much quicker. If the apron is still securely attached to the soundboard, then you can just glue the bridge back onto the apron. If there is good downbearing, I have had success using the strings as the clamp. Take the strings off the hitch pins, scrape the old glue off, and put the bridge back in place (with glue). When you put the strings back on work from both sides to the middle. This minimizes the tendency for the bridge to move around while you're getting the strings back on. Pull them up close to full tension as you go, for better clamping. Work fast. You can tune right away. If there isn't good, or any, downbearing, you have to clamp. The only thing I have found that works is screws. If the bridge is wide enough, you can drill and countersink a hole through the bridge, and screw the bridge to the apron. Make sure you countersink deep enough to get the screw head out of the way. Otherwise use even longer, roundhead screws and "sandwich" the bridge between a piece of 3/4" plywood and the apron. Screw run through the plywood, through the bridge, and into the apron. Leave it clamped for an hour or so at least, overnight is better, then replace the strings and tune. BTW, depending on how the particular piano is put together, I still sometimes find it quicker and easier to tip it and remove the bottom board and pedal stretcher even when using option #2. It just depends on what you can get to easily. Hope this helps. I'm moving kind of fast today, so if anything doesn't make sense, holler and I'll try again. Ken Z. On 4/28/05 12:46 PM, "michelle stranges" <stranges@Oswego.EDU> wrote: > > Hello folks.. > > Quick question here.. > > Last night I went to the local high school I take care of, and my Kawai > UST-8's (which NEVER STAY IN TUNE) have personal problems like crazy. (I > cannot stand these pianos- sorry Don Mannino!!) :( > -- Ken Zahringer, RPT Piano Technician MU School of Music 297 Fine Arts 882-1202 cell 489-7529
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