Soundboard cracks under long bridge

[Terry]

Why not just do a Spurlock-type shim job right up to both sides of the
bridge? If there is a small area where the bridge is not glued to the panel,
put some glue in there and block up the panel from behind and go bar on
top - or use a rib gluing boat before shimming (but instead of gluing on a
rib you will be gluing on the bridge).

Make sense?

Terry Farrell


> Dear list members,
>          I am faced with a dilemma and would appreciate your advice once
> again. I am refinishing a 61" Howard grand and re-stringing with a new
> block. After strings were removed and the piano sat in the shop for a time
> a soundboard crack appeared which migrates under a crook in the long
> bridge. This could have already been there but not as prominent as it is
> now. I'd like to  try and repair this but I question how to go about it.
> I've tried removing the buttons and screws that attach the long bridge to
> the soundboard hoping that the glue would be loose enough to crack it free
> and pivot it out of the way in order to make the repair. (There's one
screw
> way high up in the treble that I just can't get at for love nor money.)
> There is not enough money to replace the board and bridges but it seems
> that the crack will need to be addressed before it goes out. Also, in one
> area of the crack that goes beneath the long bridge the soundboard is
> disconnected from the bridge too, naturally. :-( Any advice?
>
> Greg Newell