[CAUT] Bass end "rattle" on S&S "D" Being prepped for BrickmanConcert Tomorrow!

[Ed Sutton]

Michael-

You need to start exploring with a very thin palette knife or thin feeler gauge, looking for an open joint.
Check between the ribs and soundboard, and if you can reach it, between the bridge and soundboard.
BUT ALSO: check the joint of the soundboard to the rim, and under the molding strip on the top of the soundboard along the spine.

If you find a suspect loose place, try packing it with cardboard, bushing cloth, string, or something to see if it stops the sound. If you find the trouble this way, you may decide to inject glue and clamp or wedge it until the glue dries, or perhaps just leave the packing in place.

If that doesn't work, you may need to engineer a wedge to press up betwen the beam and the ribs. This will at least get you through the concert.

Good luck, and let us know what happens.

Ed Sutton
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michael Magness 
  To: Pianotech List ; caut at ptg.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 8:09 PM
  Subject: [CAUT] Bass end "rattle" on S&S "D" Being prepped for BrickmanConcert Tomorrow!


  HELP!!!!!

  I have only begun caring for the pianos at this school/venue in the last month.
  This piano was last serviced in May by the previous tech who left the area.

  It was rebuilt in '03 and appears to have no major problems, the bass strings are steel wound, not certain why.
  The lowest 6 notes have a rattle that I could not eliminate. I tightened every screw I could find, hinges, cabinet, lyre, plate bolts. I checked the bridge pins to see that they were fully seated in the bridge.
  The only way I could eliminate it was to lay under it and press up on 2 ribs above the beam (that extends to the nose) about 2/3 of the way toward the bass bridge, approximately under the tenor bridge.
  I also cleaned under the plate and bridges looking for forign objects.

  Now what? The concert is tomorrow night.

  I would appreciate any advice,
  Mike

  -- 
  I feel sorry for the person who can't get genuinely excited about his work. Not only will he never be satisfied, but he will never achieve anything worthwhile. 
  Walter Chrysler 



  Michael Magness
  Magness Piano Service
  608-786-4404
  www.IFixPianos.com
  email mike at ifixpianos.com
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