[CAUT] soundboard possible OT for list

[G Cousins]

Fred,
I'm guessing this should work on the 4' bridge as well. Yes?
Hardwood (dowel) not necessary.  (??)  Think hardwood would have any affect?
Also, assuming lower tension prior to installation.
Gerry

From: dmckech at ithaca.edu
To: caut at ptg.org
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:54:51 -0400
Subject: Re: [CAUT] soundboard possible OT for list

Fred,
In the version of this I heard a piece of cloth, felt or leather was added to the top of the spring to prevent digging/indenting the bottom of the soundboard. Thoughts?
Don
 Donald McKechniePiano TechnicianIthaca Collegedmckech at ithaca.edu607.274.3908
From: Fred Sturm <fssturm at unm.edu>
Date: September 28, 2009 4:41:40 PM EDT
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] soundboard possible OT for list
Reply-To: caut at ptg.org


On Sep 28, 2009, at 2:08 PM, G Cousins wrote:List,
I have an issue with a Harpsichord soundboard.(20 yrs old, not a kit) 4' rank bridge is rolling due to board warping and waving. Strings are now buzing from contact with board. I'm thinking perhaps riblets or something around that line.
This is likely off of typical CAUT concerns or threads so if anyone wants to discuss some ideas on this topic contact me off list for more details.
Thanks,
Gerry Cousins, RPT
West Chester University of PA
cousins_gerry at msn.com
gcousins at wcupa.edu
 
	Typically the 8 foot bridge has gone down, and the hitchpin rail has gone up. The cure I have used, maybe 3 or 4 times (always successfully so far), is one I learned from Hubbard (though I modified their instructions quite a bit), called at the time a "happiness bar." It is one or two dowels (one in the middle, or perhaps two at 1/3 distances) inserted from beneath, with a fairly strong spring on top, a coil spring about the diameter of the dowel or a little less. Drill a hole in the top of the dowel and insert a smaller diameter dowel in the hole. The smaller dowel is about the inside diameter of the spring, and holds it in place. The spring will need to hit the soundboard directly under the 8 foot bridge. The bottom of the dowel rests on the bottom of the case.	It's actually quite easy to do. Drill a hole (or two) in appropriate places through the bottom (use a square to measure the right distances in so that you will be under the bridge). The hole should be a bit larger than the dowel, and large enough to insert a finger or two comfortably. Measure the distance up to the bridge, cut the dowel to be somewhat shorter. Have maybe three strengths of spring available. Place the spring on the top of the dowel, held in place as described above, insert in the hole. The spring should contact the soundboard under the bridge, at which point you press upward with one finger and manipulate the bottom of the spring so it slides over and rests on the harpsichord bottom next to the hole. And maybe decide that a different spring strength or length is needed, so remove and adjust as needed. The hole needs to be large enough that a finger can get in and pull the dowel back over to the hole for removal.	I attach some photos from I class I taught that should help. 
 		 	   		  
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