Hairline cracks in Treble Bridge

Michael Spalding spalding48@earthlink.net
Wed, 16 Nov 2005 13:38:37 -0600


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Dear Newdaymoore,

When a single note develops a noise following tuning, it usually indicates a sympathetic vibration.  Tuning that note has (perhaps) altered its pitch to bring it in tune with whatever is resonating, and also increased its energy output by tuning all 3 strings of the unison to vibrate at the same frequency.  It might be a normal part of the piano (caster, hinge, etc.), a damaged part of the piano (separated rib-soundboard joint) or something else in the room (picture frame, curios on glass shelf, etc.).   IMHO it's highly unlikely that hairline cracks in another part of the bridge are related to your noise.

However, you've got bigger issues:  "I have recently put $523 worth of repairs into this piano.  I am wondering if I should even do the treble bridge repair...
Facts you've provided:   You are a piano owner, not a technician (that's OK), your piano is 115 years old (that's at least 2 piano lifetimes), and you've had it tuned by someone who does not do repairs.
Facts that would help us help you better:  How long have you had the piano, who plays the piano and why, what restorative work has been done to the piano, either by you ($523) or previous owners.  What are your goals for the piano (or its replacement), what is your budget.
The odds are against a 115-year-old piano holding up better than a new one, unless you plan to spend more thatn the cost of a new one on restoration.  The truth is, all pianos require regular maintenance, and without it they "don't hold up".
You ought to consider having a piano technician who is knowledgeable/skilled in repairs and rebuilding evaluate your piano and present some options.  It will cost some money just to get the evaluation, but in the long run could save you a bundle.  
Find a technician here:  http://www.ptg.org/findATechnician.php?PHPSESSID=6cb955a538d0741f2597f0e6259fe9a8

hope this helps

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: 
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Sent: 11/16/2005 11:48:55 AM 
Subject: Hairline cracks in Treble Bridge



I have an 1890 Sohmer Upright (55").  After having it tuned I started hearing an annoying vibrating sound out of the F Key above middle C.  My tuner came back out to investigate and found some hairline cracks in the upper part of the treble bridge.  He called a few people whom he trusts for bridge rebuilding.  His plan was to remove the half of the treble bridge with the cracks and send it off to be used as a model to rebuild a new one and put the new one in for me.  But everyone was booked well into next year.  
So he found out about a gentleman who does Epoxy repair.  He himself has never done this type of repair with epoxy but after speaking with this man and watching his video he feels confident that he can repair the hairline cracks with epoxy.  I am wanting to know the pros and cons to doing such a repair.  Can you also tell me the pros and cons to removing the half of the treble bridge with the hairline cracks and sending it away to be used as a model to build a new half and putting in a new half bridge in instead. 
I have recently put $523 worth of repairs into this piano.  I am wondering if I should even do the treble bridge repair and if so which way to go.  The tone in this piano sounds really great to me and my daughter.  I hear so many bad things about newer pianos not holding up well.  So could any of you advise me on this matter.  I am concerned about the epoxy method causing any problems with the tone and sound.  Plus will the pins be glued in?  Would that cause problems later on?
Thanks.
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