bridge cap headache

[Tom Driscoll]

Clyde Hollinger
 Subject: bridge cap headache

<BIG SNIP>
	A couple last questions.  The bridge cap is now a little farther
down 
than it should be, maybe 2mm.  Will the added string length cause the 
strings to tear when I bring them up to pitch?  And if they do, should I

try replacing them with thicker or thinner strings?  They're size 13 
now.  It seems that a thicker string would have more strength, but I'm 
not that good at physics.  Would a thinner string be better?  (I don't 
stock thinner string.)  I'm eager for your responses, and I hope I don't

have a day like yesterday for a long time to come!

Regards,
Clyde

Clyde,
	I understand your disappointment with this repair, and devising
another method to ensure better alignment of the bridge cap can be done
with some ingenuity. I've had success with 3-way clamps (if there is
room) on these repairs and yes CA may have been an alternative.
	All this being said I would not change string sizes. With
bearing problems as you describe and the reality that the bridge
position set at the factory could have been more than 2mm off anyway.
	I think you did just fine by this piano and the client.
	Tom Driscoll