cracks in rim

[Michael Magness]

On 9/6/07, Michael Magness <IFixPianos at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> On 9/6/07, Farrell <mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com> wrote:
> >
> >  Barbara, does the piano sound like a - well, er, ah - like a KG-2
> > typically sounds? No worse? My guess is that it does not necessitate action.
> > I might mark the extent and size of the cracks and monitor things over time
> > - see if cracks are lengthening and/or getting wider.
> >
> > If someone were considering purchasing the piano with this situation, I
> > might suggest it cause for some level of concern, but if the owner is going
> > to keep it, then just monitor. If you think there is a loss of piano tone -
> > volume, sustain, etc., then perhaps filling the crack with thin epoxy could
> > be warranted.
> >
> > Terry Farrell
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > I just serviced a 15 year old KG-2.  While I was underneath the piano
> > taking care of noisy trapwork, I noticed a crack all the way around the
> > rim.  It looks like it is between the inner(?) and outer(?) rim.  In some
> > places I could easy insert my feeler gauge 1" or more.  Unfortunately, I had
> > left my camera in my shop, but the piano's owner let me use her camera phone
> > to take pictures.  Sorry about the picture quality--hope you can see.   I
> > would like opinions--is the piano in trouble?   Should it be fixed?  How?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Barbara Richmond, RPT
> > near Peoria, Illinois
> >
> >
> >
> > Hi Barbara,
> I was the tech for the local Kawai dealer for about 20 years these cracks
> are fairly common due to the difference in manufacturing process of the
> asian companies. The inner rim is made seperately from the outer rim and the
> 2 are later mated together. There is what appears to be either a filler or
> glue between them that seems to allow them to seperate somewhat.
> I have seen similar seperations on most asian grands perhaps not as
> extensive as this one but I don't believe it will cause any problems in
> tone, tuning or playability. Noting the width and depth of it at key points
> with the date and monitering it for any significant change would be a good
> idea. I doubt it will deepen to the point of completely seperating but I
> never say never.<grin>
>
> Mike
>
>
> --
> Never become so much of an expert that you stop gaining expertise. View
> life as a continuous learning experience.
> - Denis Waitley
>
>
> Michael Magness
> Magness Piano Service
> 608-786-4404
> www.IFixPianos.com <http://www.ifixpianos.com/>
> email mike at ifixpianos.com
>

Hi again,

Expanding on my earlier post, the outer rim, does NOT affect tuning, or tone
since the plate and block are attached to the INNER rim. The tone would also
be unaffected since the tone comes primarily from the soundboard, hammers,
regulation all seperate from the outer rim or attached to the inner rim. The
outer rim has some minor effect on tone but compared to all of the others
listed above plus the top when raised I doubt it's all that noticable.
Mike

-- 
Never become so much of an expert that you stop gaining expertise. View life
as a continuous learning experience.
- Denis Waitley


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