[pianotech] Separated bridge cap

[Encore Pianos]

I've certainly seen a few with reverse crown, but can't say I make a habit
of checking it on Baldwin verticals as a matter of course.  I was assuming
that the gap between the two lamina was not merely because of a poor glue
joint, but also because the soundboard had collapsed, leaving the top piece
hanging by its fingernails to the strings.  

Will

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Ron Nossaman
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2012 2:57 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Separated bridge cap

On 8/15/2012 12:34 PM, Encore Pianos wrote:
> My guess is that the gap is there because the board has oilcanned.  
> The best way to repair it is to take it to the dump.

Will,
When is the last time you saw a Baldwin with crown in the treble? Just out
of curiosity?


Someone at Baldwin was at one time convinced that bridges needed to be 
crowned. Combining crowning and capping in one "efficient" operation, 
they made bridges in two layers of about equal thickness. The root had 
the grain along the bridge, and the cap was cross grain. They dried the 
wood down, glued up the panels, and cut out the bridges, which then 
crowned as they rehydrated. I'm with Terry. If it's not causing a 
problem, leave it the heck alone. A "fix" of sorts by drilling holes 
through the cap, injecting glue, and putting in screws is good for 
looks, but I don't know that it would be particularly beneficial to the 
piano unless it's currently making noise.
Ron N