Soundboard Evaluation

[Farrell]

Hi Roger. I have a Lowell gauge and know how to use it - when its foot is
not broken. I finally got Tom Lowell's phone number yesterday - I will call
him to see if he will sell me just the foot. I have this mental thing about
not buying a new tool when I already have 95% of the tool. Unfortunately, I
will spend several hours and miss out on $200 worth of labor charges just to
save $40. It's this human thing. It troubles me from time to time.

Is it worth putting in a new board? Well, I think because it is a good
quality but smaller piano, it would be marginal. Add to the mix that it is
half eaten by termites (not the keybed, mind you!) it is likely not the best
candidate for a new board. Add to that the fact that the piano will be in
the lobby being played extensively for folks that are looking for a small
bright spot in their day and that it was donated by some VERY influential
dude (and this is the ONLY piano they will EVER have in the lobby) - I think
it pushes the balance in favor of doing a quality rebuilding job, including
a new board.

BTW, the piano is at the Roger Jolly Cancer and Research Center, in Moose
Jaw, Yukon Territory

I sound pretty convincing, don't I! Now, what is your address so that I can
mail you a contract for your signature?

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message -----
From: "jolly roger" <baldyam@sk.sympatico.ca>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2001 1:27 AM
Subject: Re: Soundboard Evaluation


> At 10:39 PM 6/14/01 -0500, you wrote:
> >> Piano sounds a
> >>bit weak and has a bad killer octave area. I measured for downbearing
with
> >>the goofy little three point brass thingee. Absolutely ZERO downbearing
on
> >>the whole long bridge. Everywhere. Zero. Never saw that before.
> >
> Hi Terry,
>             Those three legged thingees tell you next to nothing,  since
> you seem to be doing a fair bit of rebuilding type work.  Invest in a
> compound bearing gauge and learn how to measure the defection angles.
This
> way you will have a true picture of what is happening across the bridge.
> Combine this with the simple string test between each rib, so you have a
> good idea of where the board is at with regards to crown.  Couple this to
> your hearing and you will have a better evaluation before you start.
>
> Since some parts of the board has crown, some improvement MAY be gained by
> lowering the plate, but I would not bet on it lasting.   The question you
> have to ask your self, if after all this effort is it going to be worth
it?
>
> A cheap and nasty improvement can some times be made by grinding down the
> dulex bars if the piano has them.  But beware, this also may not last.
>
> A bad board is a bad board period.
>
> Now I will crawl under my rock, flame suit on.
>
> Regards Roger.
>