[pianotech] Bass bridge repair

[Encore Pianos]

It has always been my practice to completely remove the bridge from the apron, even when I have to finish breaking a glue joint to get the rest of it off.  These Acrosonic-class pianos were made like popcorn, and with about the same care.  I could not count the number of bridges that failed because they were never jointed flat, or the worker was drinking his lunch, or went on break before he finished applying glue along the full length of the bridge surface.  If the bridge is already twisting on the apron to become more agreeable with the side bearing forces, then it is likely that the remaining glue joint is already compromised.  Many a bridge has fallen into my hands after I finished removing the bass strings, or with a light wack of my palm.  So you joint the bridge bottom flat if needed, remove and clean up old glue, and have fresh wood ready to accept glue.  I usually take the bridge back to the shop to do this, and use the drill press to drill 5 or 6 countersunk holes in the bridge through which to screw the bridge down in the process of gluing and leave them there for posterity.  Thirty years from now, I am sure the guy at the dump will look upon my work with awestruck wonder.       

 

Will Truitt

 

P. S.  Some of these puppies have staples holding the apron to the bridge

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of richarducci at comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 9:43 AM
To: fg at floydgadd.com; pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Bass bridge repair

 

You're right.

Rick Ucci

Uccipiano.com


On Dec 28, 2011, at 9:20 PM, "Floyd Gadd" <fg at floydgadd.com> wrote:

Once the strings are loosened down, it's not that much more work to disengage them from the hitch pins, thread them onto a coat hanger, and move them off to the side giving clear access to the bridge.  I've done three of these so far, and a fourth one is waiting for me.  Not only do I end up with a very clear idea of the state of the various glue joints, but I can sometimes remove the bridge and apron, and drill/glue/screw where necessary from any direction to achieve the results I need.  I can also work the bass strings and give them a twist, which in every case thus far has been an improvement.

 

Repositioning the bass strings on the hitch pins and bridge is, of course, a pain, but there are not THAT many of them :-).

 

Floyd Gadd

Manitoba Chapter

 

On 12/28/2011 6:06 PM, richarducci at comcast.net wrote: 

> List, I have an Acrosonic with a shifted 

> Bridge cap , moving downward at the beginning of the bass section. 

> 

> Is it possible to loosen bass strings leaving them on hitch pins, and tap the cap back in place, ca glue it and place a screw at the end down into the root? 

> 

 >

 > 

> Rick Ucci > Uccipiano.com 

 

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