[pianotech] Fwd: green piano with bass bridge problem

Terry Farrell mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com
Thu Nov 11 14:33:46 MST 2010


I haven't seen the pictures of this bridge, but one of the nice things  
about cost-effective epoxy bridge repairs is that you don't have to  
redrill. You simply apply epoxy, clamp the bridge back together as  
much as it is reasonably willing to go, wipe/scrape off epoxy squeeze- 
out (not real hard to do), insert bridge pins in original positions,  
wipe up small amounts of epoxy squeeze-out and let cure overnight.  
This method works well when the original bridge pin holes are at least  
somewhat preserved - enough to hole the pins in position while the  
epoxy cures.

Two or three hours total. Nothing wrong with replacing the bridge of  
course, but when $$ is a major concern and especially when it wouldn't  
make the piano sound any better, hey, why not save the piano owner a  
few bucks. Besides, it's really quite a fun job to do!

Terry Farrell

On Nov 11, 2010, at 9:37 AM, Dempsey Jr., Paul E wrote:

> An off the wall suggestion/comment.
>
> If you don't' have all the bass bridge replacement time that you  
> would like, and since you are probably going to put this thing over  
> on its back and remove the bass strings anyway, consider just  
> removing the bass bridge and fabricating a new one.
>
> You can then easily correct the side bearing issues while using good  
> new wood and bridge pinning that you are confident in.
>
> Yes, it's a little more work and $$$,but how much time will you have  
> in the epoxying process, scraping, redrilling, etc, while being bent  
> over this thing.
>
> It'll still be a green Grand but it's good practice for a future job  
> that counts.
>
> Paul E. Dempsey, RPT
> Piano Technician Sr.
> Marshall University
> Huntington, WV
> 304-696-5418
> 304-617-1149
>



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