=?ISO-8859-1?Q?Re:_Bridge_Seating_(was_Re:_Where_to_notch_a_bridge, &_relative_effects_?????_(Advice_sought)?=

[David Ilvedson]

The important thing is not to just casually go about seating strings.   A few test seatings will visually and aurally tell you if it is needed.   If I can't see the string move, I'm on to other things.   For me it is an unfocused tone...buzzy that makes me go looking for a solution.   It may be unlevel string/hammer connection.   I check it all out.  But, if the strings are not seated the tuning will be unstable and the tone won't be what it should be.   IF needed the time is before you finish that tuning.   I don't seat strings as a matter of course in my service call.   Certainly I don't just tap along the bridge if the string isn't moving.   I come back to these pianos over and over again.   I don't rarely need to seat strings again.   

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044


----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Jonathan Finger" <pianotech at tollidee.com>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Received: 9/8/2006 8:51:44 AM
Subject: Re: Bridge Seating (was Re: Where to notch a bridge,& relative effects ????? (Advice sought)


>I understand that I have yet to achieve heavy-weight status on this 
>list, and as such my post will not seem as authoritative as some, but in 
>general I think there are some benefits to seating strings.
>To say a string can never become un-seated is to assume it was seated 
>properly in the first place.  Having worked in the factory setting, and 
>in the rebuilding shop, I can tell you that many pianos are coming out 
>of the factory with sloppy string work. 
>I don't see why there's a "don't try this at home" attitude for this 
>sort of thing. 
>Not only would I encourage techs to seat strings more often, but bridge 
>pins as well. (for different reasons)
>Scaring techs away from doing detailed work isn't going to raise the bar 
>and create technicians out of tuners. 
>If you think seating strings might help, try gently seating them.  Get a 
>brass drift, and a very light hammer, and try tapping a few right at the 
>pin, and at the bend (trying to "confirm" the bend in the string).
>I don't see the harm in this if done with care (though I'm almost 
>positive I'll be lambasted for making such an ignorant remark).

>What do I know...  I don't have the decades of experience with pianos 
>that some here do - only a decade of experience with a little shop in 
>Colorado known for doing semi-decent work on semi-decent pianos.

>Sorry if this has sounded a bit cynical - it's just a bit much sometimes 
>with all the sarcasm oozing out of the screen into my lap.  If the 
>topics of discussion here are too exasperating, why add to them?

>signed - a proponent of open discussion