Help with splitting bass bridge

[RPSPIANO@aol.com]

Barrie,
This is a very nice repair that works well, I have never
done it on site, always seemed an easier shop job.
Important to orient grain of insert horizontal not
to end grain. Good post.

Mark Ritchie RPT
Cols, OH
In a message dated 97-01-07 14:45:00 EST, you write:

<<
 First take a rubbing of all pins, then release the tension of the base
 strings in the effected area, not necessary to release the tension on
 unaffected area.  Pull out pins in the split section.  With a V shaped
 cutting chisel the type you would use for your shims on a soundboard.
 Cut a groove approximately 25mm deep and 5mm thick you can use a router
 with the appropriate cutting tool.  You will find your chisel cuts it
 easy

 Make sure that you remove at least two good
 pins which are not in the split area, take your groove from their to
 the end of the bridge.  Cut a piece of Beech in to a V shape and saw to
 the appropriate length.  Make sure that the V shape piece is deeper than
 the 25mm  groove and that the angle of descent of the V is the same as
 the groove.  Mix some epoxy resin.  Place the epoxy resin on your Beech
 Shim and tap down in to place with the shaft of your hammer, take four
 strings of equal spacing and reattach to the hitch pins and apply
 equal tension.  This will ensure, that the shim stays in place and well
 bedded down.  Remove any excess glue being careful not to get any on
 the strings  let it dry.  Remove tension from base strings
 and plain down the excess shim,( or cut with a knife or  chisel) smooth
 off.  Re burnish the area reposition your template you made earlier with
 the rubbings use a needle punch and punch the positions for the bridge
 pins.  Measure old bridge pins and pilot holes to the appropriate size,
 not forgetting to drill at a slight angle to introduce side angle.

   I find a hand drill much easier to control than using an electric
 drill.  Knock the old pins back in to place or use 1" new ones file pins
 off replace strings pull up to tension.    If you've
 done it right no one will ever know you were their.  There should be too
 faint glue lines and if you have chose your materials wisely it should
 blend in nicely I gave beech just as an example hope that makes
 sense.

 If you do not have a V shaped
 cutting chisel make one,  out of an old screwdriver


 Barrie,
  >>