bridge problem

[Clarence Stout]

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				Clarence (Clancy) Stout R.P.T.		
				Nebraska Chapter PTG
				Holyoke, Colorado



     

Susan Kline wrote:
> 
> Hi, Les
> 
> The problem seems to be that the piano doesn't warrant much work or
> expense, but one doesn't want to toss the thing, for the owner's sake.
> 
> The main expense is the labor involved in slacking the strings, putting
> them in order as they come off (I use a curtain ring) and then reinstalling
> them. When reinstalling them, it is normal and easy to twist them, which
> should help the thuddy sound. I wouldn't recommend putting on new strings
> when the whole piano is so modest. If the sentimental value is such that
> new strings are appropriate, a bridge cap is also appropriate.
> 
> The minimum which I think would work is to remove the strings from only the
> affected area, leave the pins in place, (yes, it should work .. tweak them
> into the right alignment), arrange a flexible slat covered in a plastic bag
> (to allow removal) for the weak side of the bridge, and some strong spring
> clamps, so you can use them quickly. Then take some 30 minute epoxy, and
> lay a fairly substantial bead right over the whole length of the crack.
> Starting at one end, aim a heat gun at the bead of epoxy, and clamp as it
> gets loose and seeps into the crack. (Takes almost no time ... don't
> overheat the epoxy.) Move along to the other end, then give a light
> once-over with the heat gun (not for long!) and mop up the liquid residue.
> Afterwards you may want to clean up the bridge surface with a little
> acetone on a brush and a rag, but I wouldn't allow too much to seep in.
> 
> Use good ventilation. Hot epoxy is not nice to breathe. While you could
> probably restring in an hour or two, it might be better to leave it
> overnight (still tilted, of course) to really harden up. Also gives you a
> break. If you can induce a friend to come help when you reinstall them, one
> of you can put them on the bridge, while the other keeps the coils good and
> raises the pitch. Saves lots of time and is cheerful.
> 
> While the time spent isn't all that great, I find this exhausting work.
> Still, it can save the day, and it's lots better than the old epoxy repair,
> taking each pin out. I think the procedure will probably work for you, but
> the owner should be informed that it's the quick, economical way to do it,
> and while probably okay, is not _totally_ guaranteed to work. On the other
> hand, if it does work, it'll save him lots of money. Maybe a 5% gamble, is
> how I'd put it.
> 
> Susan
> 
> At 10:28 AM 5/2/98 -0500, you wrote:
> >List
> >       I went to tune a Storey and Clark spinet today, finding it about
> >150 cents flat. It had thuddy bass strings, and several which had a bad
> >buzz- caused by a major split in the bridge.  The split, about five
> >inches long, probably  close to an eighth of an inch wide,was  enough
> >that I could remove bridge pins with my finger. The strings had moved
> >because of this broken bridge, the old lines indicating where the strings
> >had been being very clear.  The break is along the line of the top bridge
> >pins.
> >       I suggested the owner come home from work, look at it, and decide
> >if he wanted to spend money to fix it.  I've never done one of these, but
> >my suspicion is that one would have to remove strings, clamp and glue the
> >bridge, then redrill and replace pins. In the process, replacing the bass
> >strings would seem obvious since the labor required wouldn't be that much
> >more.
> >       Opinions, please.
> >       Appreciatively,
> >
> >
> >Leslie
> >lesbart@juno.com
> >"I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here."
> >