separated back

[Carol Beigel]

Sorry, Clyde, I thought everyone understood "It's (he's) dead, Jim!"
I guess I'm just showing my advanced age.  It's hard for me to believe that 
there are adult piano technicians out there who probably were not even born 
when that phrase was popular!    Sorry :(

Good pianos are made to last 50 years.  These were "war" pianos - built out 
of whatever was available.  Does it also have plastic damper flanges?  If 
this was a Steinway upright you might have half a chance but double the 
liability.

There is usually a good reason why a piano falls apart structurally - like 
maybe it wasn't put together right to begin with!  I have used aircraft 
drills and long bolts and epoxy to repair split backs on 10 year old pianos 
with cast iron plates (and no plastic flanges) with success.  I think it was 
Everett that had that problem.  It is a lot of work as you must take the 
tension off ALL the strings down to nothing.  It will take you a least two 
day's work to try this "repair" and you will probably sweat bullets pulling 
the tension back up waiting to hear the sound you never want to hear.

The worst part is that if you are successful and sell the piano, it may 
still break - and then you have to refund the sales price long after you 
have spent the money!  Better to spend a couple of days tuning and be able 
to sleep at night. If you want to fix up a piano and sell it for a profit, 
at least start with one that does not have severe structural damage.

One of the things that Pianotech can't help you with is learning when to 
walk away.  Only grisly experience can teach that kind of lesson.  I 
personally think aluminum is poor plate material, and the separation is too 
great.  I consider a slightly opened crack repairable; a gap of 1/2 inch to 
be a resurrection.  And besides, it probably has plastic damper flanges, 
too, so don't even think about it!

Carol Beigel, RPT

>From: Clyde Hollinger <cedel@supernet.com>
>Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org
>To: pianotech@ptg.org
>Subject: Re: separated back
>Date: Thu, 12 Oct 2000 17:34:13 -0400
>
>Carol,
>
>Thanks for your response.  First, I am not Jim.  Second, I am puzzled by 
>your
>phrase "... as this is not a repair...."  Repairing a separated back
>certainly seems like a repair to me.  Third, others have suggested that 
>this
>appears repairable.  From your response it sounds like you tried to repair 
>a
>separated back, without success.  Are you steering me clear of trying to 
>fix
>this?  I do want to know if I am about to get myself in trouble.
>
>Regards,
>Clyde Hollinger
>
>Carol Beigel wrote:
>
> > There just comes a time when a piano wears out.  I would explain to the
> > customer that the piano is structurally damaged, probably beyond repair.
> > They need a new piano.  It's dead, Jim!
> >
> > If they would like for you to attempt a resurrection, as this is not a
> > repair, then they can pay you for your time.  If the plate cracks during
> > your attempt then they still owe you for your time.
> >
> > Remember, you are a piano technician, not a piano magician!
> >
> > Carol Beigel, RPT
> >
> > >From: Clyde Hollinger <cedel@supernet.com>
> > >Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org
> > >To: pianotech@ptg.org
> > >Subject: separated back
> > >Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2000 06:51:32 -0400
> > >
> > If I recall correctly, it's a pretty little thing, a shame to
> > >discard, but Cable pianos aren't rated very high in my mind.
> > >
> > >I've repaired back separations several times, with good success, but
> > >never one with such a large separation.  What are my chances of pulling
> > >this gap together without the aluminum plate cracking?  Should I even
> > >attempt it?  Input appreciated.
> > >
> > >Regards,
> > >Clyde Hollinger, RPT
> > >
> >
> > 
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