[CAUT] bridge cap sanding

[McNeilTom at aol.com]

In a message dated 1/23/2008 5:28:37 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
Jfarris at mail.utexas.edu writes:

Here at  UT Austin, when restringing a piano, we replace agraffes and 
replace  bridge pins. Standard bridge procedure includes, scraping off 
the old DAG,  sanding the caps, gluesizing the pin holes, re-notching 
the bridge, etc.  Here's my question/comment. When sanding, the old 
string groove is not  completely removed, but it is minimized 
significantly. When I'm not trying  to alter downbearing, just 
reproducing what was there (mostly), is that  OK? In other words, is 
leaving a little groove a problem? Is removing it  completely more of 
a problem or more desirable? Y'all have fun with this  one.

Thanks,
-- 
Jeff Farris



Hi, Jeff -
 
I think there is no need to remove the string grooves.  Years of  pressure 
from the strings have compressed the wood of the cap slightly to create  the 
grooves.  That compressed wood at the bottom of the grooves is very  slightly 
more dense and very slightly more stable than fresh wood.  The  angled bridge 
pins have a clamping effect as they trap the strings against the  bridge.  This 
effect would be very slightly enhanced by the 'form fit' of  the grooves.  All 
these factors are minute, but to the extent they are  there, they are probably 
working in our favor.
 
~ Tom McNeil  ~
Vermont Piano Restorations
VermontPiano.com

346 Camp  Street
Barre, VT 05641
(802) 476-7072



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