[pianotech] Mason hamlin cracked soundboard

[David Love]

Depends on whether you want to fix the crack or fix the sound.  If you want
to fix the crack there are many choices from shimming to filling with epoxy
fillers and honestly it doesn't really matter that much.  If you want to fix
the sound then you are on another path indeed and a soundboard from 1890 in
all likelihood needs to be replaced.  A more experienced person should
assess that before you embark on something that might end up being
relatively useless except as an exercise in shimming or fixing cracks.   

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of khg58 at aol.com
Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2009 8:27 AM
To: Pianotek; kgh58 at aol.com
Subject: [pianotech] Mason hamlin cracked soundboard

I am new to this list. And somewhat new to piano business. I bought a used.
MH for about 300. Want to restore. So as I start down this journey. On about
an 1890 piano. I had keytops. and bushings replaced. Now I notice a long
split or crack about 2 ft  along the sounboard. Can it be shimmed somehow.
Without replacing sboard. If so what is that process? I assume I have to
pull all the strings in that area. Also wood surface. Laminate appears to be
pulling away from base wood. I am going to try to inject some glue in small
holes I create and pull it tight with boards and clamps. Anything wrong with
that approach? Thanks in advance for advice. And your time. 

Keith
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