bridge repair

[Farrell]

Seems to me you have two options: 1) Lower cost epoxy repair with mediocre
(but definitely OK - depending on the expectations of the piano owner)
results, and 2) more expensive but better performing bridge recapping.

You can virtually always repair a bridge with epoxy - even one where the
bridge cap has fallen off, cracked in many pieces (believe me, it CAN be
done). I'm not saying this is the best way to do it - only that you can get
it back together in one piece, get the bridge pins in where they need to be,
and have the strings follow the path with downbearing the way they should
(or at least the extent the board will permit). Epoxy repair can be done
with the plate in place. The epoxy repair can be done without removing the
piano from the client's home (although, I must admit that I hate doing this
level of repair in someone's home - but it absolutely can be done without a
whole lot of trouble).

Ignoring cost, removing the plate and recapping is by far the best way to
go, but it is much more involved with the pinblock and all.

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2001 11:58 PM
Subject: bridge repair


> List:
>
> Encountered a 1928 Knabe (5'8"). The bridge cap, which extends down
through
> both capo sections, is cracked and delaminating with some bridge pin
> migration.  The rest of the bridge is solid, uncapped and in good
condition.
> The board is good.  The piano has been restrung within the past 20 years.
> The strings are in good condition.  When the piano was restrung they put
in
> #4 pins.  So, if I remove all strings in order to remove the plate and
recap
> the bridge, I will have to replace the block.  I am trying to determine if
> its feasible to recap the upper part of the bridge without removing the
> plate.  Is it possible, or reasonable?  The plate struts do not get in the
> way of the pinning or notching, but I am trying to figure out how to get
> around the planing problem.  Any thoughts.  Budget limitations and the
> overall value of the piano are considerations.  Any thoughts?
>
>
> David Love
>
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