Soundboard cracks under long bridge

[Ron Nossaman]

> 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

Yes, don't even try to remove the bridge. Glue the panel back to 
ribs and bridge as necessary and as possible with whatever works for 
you (Titebond, in my case). With a shimming tool, by hand (forget 
router jigs - cracks are too often not straight) "V" out the crack 
right up to the bridge. Spruce shims or epoxy will then fill the 
crack right up to the bridge. At this point, it's only a cosmetic 
repair anyway, so just try to make it look like you were there and 
meant it. Don't worry about a crack that might pass under the 
bridge. If there is one, you'll never hear from it.
Ron N