Bass Bridge in old Ebersole Upright

[Dave Smith]

Joe and Terry, thanks for responding.  I will let you know how it comes out.
Since this old piano is my learning tool, I am happy when something breaks
or needs fixin.  Just more opportunity to learn.  Thanks.

Dave Smith
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe And Penny Goss" <imatunr@srvinet.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 11:02 PM
Subject: Re: Bass Bridge in old Ebersole Upright


> Hi Dave, As a test, drop the pitch of one string of a unison at  least a
> fifth and give it 10 or 12 hard whacks with the hammer (piano) and if this
> improves the sound just  a little but not enough lower the string enough
to
> remove it from the hitch pin.
> As you remove the string, take notice of evidence of twist.
>  If there is little or none, twist the string two full turns on the
smaller
> wound strings down to one twist on larger strings, and a half turn on the
> double wound ,
> On the double wound Its twist is in the direction of the inner wrap.
> The first step only takes a few seconds and sometimes is enough to get by
> without further steps.
> Joe Goss
> imatunr@srvinet.com
> www.mothergoosetools.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 6:36 PM
> Subject: Re: Bass Bridge in old Ebersole Upright
>
>
> > I will assume you are just trying to make the piano work, rather than a
> thorough rebuilding job. The thunk may simply be 94 year old bass strings
> gone tubby. New strings should fix that.
> >
> > Remove bass strings, check bridge - if it is not loose from apron, or
> apron is not loose from board - I would suggest to just leave it alone. I
> have seen some screws in bridge tops to appeared to be original.
> >
> > Terry Farrell
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Dave Smith" <dsmith941@hotmail.com>
> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2002 6:46 PM
> > Subject: Bass Bridge in old Ebersole Upright
> >
> >
> > > I am looking for advice on a Ebersole upright circa 1908 on which I am
> > > practising tuning, repair and regulation.  The entire bass of the
piano
> is
> > > very dull -THUNK.  The bridge has no noticeable cracks, but does have
> two
> > > interesting "features".  One is a buggered-up bolt which goes into the
> > > bridge from its top at the extreme bass end.  This one is obviously a
> 'fix'
> > > which didnt fix.  The second is a flathead screw countersunk very
neatly
> > > into the bridge at about its center.  Having not seen a lot of pianos
> yet, I
> > > suspect this is also part of an attempted fix, but wonder if any of
you
> have
> > > seen older pianos with any screws like this through the bridge into
the
> > > apron??
> > >
> > > It looks to me like someone tried to fix either the dead bass or maybe
a
> > > tuning instability with these pieces of hardware.  Before I attempt to
> > > follow the procedure to loosen bass strings, remove bridge and apron,
> clean
> > > up, reglue, etc, I did show it to Phil Bondi.  He advised me to also
ask
> > > here.
> > > Help?
> > >
> > > Dave Smith
> > > Pine Island FL
> >
>