[pianotech] Tapping Bridge Pins?

[David Love]

I think the caution was for tapping the strings on the bridge.  Nothing
wrong with tapping in the bridge pins that I can see.  

 

David Love

www.davidlovepianos.com

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Floyd Gadd
Sent: Sunday, February 07, 2010 9:00 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Tapping Bridge Pins?

 

I am dealing regularly with a number of Canadian built pianos (Mason and
Risch, Heintzman) of the 42 inch variety, built mostly in the 1960s.  These
are pianos that seem to me to have been built to a low price point, with
various compromises (like early damper lift instead of any lead weights in
the keys to insure key return) and high levels of hammer flange friction
(less than 1 swing, often.)

 

When I first tuned a couple of these, dealing with the treble was frightful.
False beats everywhere.  I resorted to tapping in the treble pins, and could
see visible movement of the pins, maybe 1/2 mm.  For the most part the false
beats cleared right up.  I should say that the bridge caps appeared sound,
with no obvious cracking around the pins.

 

I read tonight on the CAUT list some strong cautions against tapping bridge
pins.  Do these cautions apply to pianos like this, which were obviously
built in a hurry?  I feel like I'm simply doing what should have been done
before the piano left the factory.

 

Floyd Gadd

Manitoba Chapter

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