bridge problem

[Susan Kline]

Hi, Les

The problem seems to be that the piano doesn't warrant much work or
expense, but one doesn't want to toss the thing, for the owner's sake.

The main expense is the labor involved in slacking the strings, putting
them in order as they come off (I use a curtain ring) and then reinstalling
them. When reinstalling them, it is normal and easy to twist them, which
should help the thuddy sound. I wouldn't recommend putting on new strings
when the whole piano is so modest. If the sentimental value is such that
new strings are appropriate, a bridge cap is also appropriate. 

The minimum which I think would work is to remove the strings from only the
affected area, leave the pins in place, (yes, it should work .. tweak them
into the right alignment), arrange a flexible slat covered in a plastic bag
(to allow removal) for the weak side of the bridge, and some strong spring
clamps, so you can use them quickly. Then take some 30 minute epoxy, and
lay a fairly substantial bead right over the whole length of the crack.
Starting at one end, aim a heat gun at the bead of epoxy, and clamp as it
gets loose and seeps into the crack. (Takes almost no time ... don't
overheat the epoxy.) Move along to the other end, then give a light
once-over with the heat gun (not for long!) and mop up the liquid residue.
Afterwards you may want to clean up the bridge surface with a little
acetone on a brush and a rag, but I wouldn't allow too much to seep in. 

Use good ventilation. Hot epoxy is not nice to breathe. While you could
probably restring in an hour or two, it might be better to leave it
overnight (still tilted, of course) to really harden up. Also gives you a
break. If you can induce a friend to come help when you reinstall them, one
of you can put them on the bridge, while the other keeps the coils good and
raises the pitch. Saves lots of time and is cheerful. 

While the time spent isn't all that great, I find this exhausting work.
Still, it can save the day, and it's lots better than the old epoxy repair,
taking each pin out. I think the procedure will probably work for you, but
the owner should be informed that it's the quick, economical way to do it,
and while probably okay, is not _totally_ guaranteed to work. On the other
hand, if it does work, it'll save him lots of money. Maybe a 5% gamble, is
how I'd put it.

Susan

At 10:28 AM 5/2/98 -0500, you wrote:
>List
>	I went to tune a Storey and Clark spinet today, finding it about
>150 cents flat. It had thuddy bass strings, and several which had a bad
>buzz- caused by a major split in the bridge.  The split, about five
>inches long, probably  close to an eighth of an inch wide,was  enough
>that I could remove bridge pins with my finger. The strings had moved
>because of this broken bridge, the old lines indicating where the strings
>had been being very clear.  The break is along the line of the top bridge
>pins.
>	I suggested the owner come home from work, look at it, and decide
>if he wanted to spend money to fix it.  I've never done one of these, but
>my suspicion is that one would have to remove strings, clamp and glue the
>bridge, then redrill and replace pins. In the process, replacing the bass
>strings would seem obvious since the labor required wouldn't be that much
>more.
>	Opinions, please.
>	Appreciatively,
>
>
>Leslie
>lesbart@juno.com
>"I feel more like I do now than I did when I got here."
>