Buzz From Bridge

[Ron Nossaman]

>Greetings, Everyone!
>
>How are the bridges attached to the soundboard in a Steinway?  Glue and 
>dowels?  Are there any screws carefully hidden from view?
>
>The patient:  A Steinway B, about 30 years old.
>The problem:  A buzz -- that nasty wood-on-wood sound similar to the 
>loose-rib sound
>Found so far:  Light pressure on the bridge over the affected area will 
>make it go away.  The affected area is near the treble break, right about 
>where the strings to note G6 cross the bridge.  The buzz is activated by 
>notes C4 (middle C) and to some degree C3.
>
>(Or am I dealing with a loose rib or a failed glue joint between the rib 
>and the board?  I didn't see any cracks in any glue joints around the ribs.)
>
>Is there a suitable in-home repair?  My temptation is to install some 
>strategically placed screws, but I'm hoping that others on this list have 
>better ideas.
>
>Thanks in advance --
>Z! Reinhardt  RPT
>Ann Arbor  MI
><mailto:diskladame@provide.net>diskladame@provide.net

Check the square buttons on the big dowels underneath the bridge. They must 
be there to make noise, since I don't see any other reason for them. If you 
can slide a thread between the button and soundboard, wind a glue soaked 
thread around the dowel under the button to wedge it solid again. That's an 
Ed Foote fix, and a good one if that's what the problem is. Be sure and use 
genuine Steinway buzzing button fix thread and glue.

Ron N