Bass Bridge in old Ebersole Upright

[Dave Smith]

Just a note to those who replied to my earlier post.  The "whack' technique
made small improvement to bass strings.  So I loosened all and removed from
hitch pins.  Cleaned bass bridge and apron and found a large crack in apron.
Flapping like a loose shoe sole.  Glued and clamped with screws.  Did the
'loop procedure' to all the strings.  It now sounds much better.  Cant tell
the difference at the bass break anymore!

Thanks.
Dave Smith
Livin and learnin in SW Florida

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Smith" <dsmith941@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, August 17, 2002 6:11 AM
Subject: Re: Bass Bridge in old Ebersole Upright


> 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
> > >
> >
>