Peter Kestens wrote: > > PETER KESTENS > Het Muziekinstrumentenatelier > BELGIUM > KESTENS.P@Debcom.be > List, > > Could anyone of you telling me a fast and easy way to take away the bridge > (bass and treble) from the soundbord. I've done it ones, but wasn't very > glad with the damage I saw after. Peter, I'm sorry I've taken so long to get back to you on this. If someone else has already answered you, maybe this will give you a little more information. There are two types of bridges. 1. Those that fall off when you remove the strings and 2. Those you need blasting powder to get off! (Just kidding :-)) So far mine have all been type two! To evaluate your situation, here's a procedure I use. 1. Put your bridge chisel near one end of the bridge (but not the end) oriented so the point is solidly against the glue joint and give it a solid tap (Something between starting a nail and driving it). If the glue joint is bad the whole bridge will pop off, or maybe just that end of it. If you get a solid bong when you hit it, go to plan B. 2. If the joint is not bad, and you still are determined to remove it, you will need to weaken the joint. Put a good tight tape, like duct tape, along all sides of the bridge about 1/16 inch away to restrict your efforts to the bridge itself preventing damage to the surrounding soundboard. If you are not planing to replace the bridge and will be reinstalling it later, you need to tape the top of the bridge also. 3. Pack some absorbant material like shop rags, cotton or whatever around the bridge joint and tape clear plastic over the whole thing to keep it in place. Now use a small electronics-type soldering iron to put holes in the plastic where you want to pour your joint breaking fluid (wallpaper solution or vinegar). Use a squirt-bottle with a pointed spout to wet the packing until it is good and wet looking. Allow this to soak in for about fifteen minutes then blot the packing to squeeze out any loose fluid. 4. If this is an upright go to the back of the piano, if a grand you'll need to put it on its' side. Remove all the bridge screws. If any are behind posts, you'll need to punch a hole through the post lined up with the screw head so you can remove it. Use a brace and bit because it will leave and exact sized hole that you can put a tight plug into. Rummage around in your junk bin for enough bridle corks to plug the bridge screw holes after you squirt solution inside. This will break the joint from the inside out. 5. Have patience! It will sometimes take a minimum of three to five hours to break a good tight joint. The worse thing would be to whack it with the chisel before the thing is loose because you will really pull up the grain of the soundboard when it's wet! When it is ready, the slightest of taps will take it off! Hope this helps, Warren -- Home of The Humor List Warren D. Fisher fish@communique.net Registered Piano Technician Piano Technicians Guild New Orleans Chapter 701
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