This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment ----- Original Message -----=20 From: Michael Spalding=20 To: Pianotech=20 Sent: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 2:38 PM Subject: RE: Hairline cracks in Treble Bridge 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. = The gentleman who tuned also did the repairs. Repairs done were: 1 set = damper felts, 1set bridle straps, 1 hammer, 1 thorough cleaning inside, = 1 new key bed, 1 tuning and 2 ivory key tops. I bought the piano from = a lady who claims the piano has been in her family since it was new. = Handed down from generation to generation. Her son played it and was = going to keep it but decided on a new digital. The thing that is = bothering me is the technician who has done the tuning and repairs is = the one who checked it out before I bought it from her and said the = repairs listed above were all it needed and would be good for another = generation. He came and did the cleaning and removed the part that has = the hammers and took it with him, then returned and put the piano back = together, finished the repairs and tuned. As soon as he left the one = key began vibrating with an annoying noise. He came back and discovered = a few hairline cracks in the upper treble bridge. He said when he = checked out the piano at the lady's house he did overlook the bass and = treble bridges. I bought the piano from the lady for $230.00 and I = bought it for my teenage daughter and myself. I took lessons for years = as a child and my daughter wants to learn. The piano was delivered by a = piano mover on 10-04-2005, and the technician came out for the second = time on 10-13-2005 to bring back the part he took with the hammers. We = played the piano before he came out to tune and repair and we have been = playing on it daily since the repairs. When he came out the third time = to figure out the noise he put a sponge wedge in between the strings = that do help absorb the abnormal sound in the F key above middle C. So = I am concerned as to what to do from here. Repair further or just = chuck the piano and forget it. My husband will not allow me to get = another after this experience. I will chech out the website listed = below and see if any are in my area. I would like a second opinion. No = human is perfect. Thanks 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. =20 Find a technician here: = http://www.ptg.org/findATechnician.php?PHPSESSID=3D6cb955a538d0741f2597f0= e6259fe9a8 hope this helps Mike ----- Original Message -----=20 From:=20 To: pianotech@ptg.org Sent: 11/16/2005 11:48:55 AM=20 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. =20 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.=20 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. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/03/f5/71/45/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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