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

David Ilvedson ilvey at sbcglobal.net
Fri Sep 8 11:32:13 MDT 2006


At the end it should read "I rarely need to seat strings again."   Sorry....;-[

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044


----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "David Ilvedson" <ilvey at sbcglobal.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 9/8/2006 9:45:17 AM
Subject: Re: Bridge Seating (was Re: Where to notch a bridge,& relative effects ????? (Advice sought)


>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


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