<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2769" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A title=newdaymoore@bellsouth.net = href="mailto:newdaymoore@bellsouth.net">newdaymoore@bellsouth.net</A> = </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = title=spalding48@earthlink.net href="mailto:spalding48@earthlink.net">spalding48@earthlink.net</A> = ; <A title=pianotech@ptg.org = href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, November 16, = 2005 3:39 PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Hairline cracks in = Treble Bridge</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A title=spalding48@earthlink.net href="mailto:spalding48@earthlink.net">Michael Spalding</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, November 16, = 2005 2:38 PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> RE: Hairline cracks = in Treble Bridge</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV> <DIV>Dear Newdaymoore,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>When a single note develops a noise following tuning, it = usually indicates a sympathetic vibration.  Tuning that note has = (perhaps) altered its pitch to bring it in tune with whatever is resonating, = and also increased its energy output by tuning all 3 strings of the unison to = vibrate at the same frequency.  It might be a normal part of the piano = (caster, hinge, etc.), a damaged part of the piano (separated rib-soundboard = joint) or something else in the room (picture frame, curios on glass shelf, = etc.).   IMHO it's highly unlikely that hairline cracks in = another part of the bridge are related to your noise.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>However, you've got bigger issues:  "<FONT face=Arial>I = have recently put $523 worth of repairs into this piano.  I am = wondering if I should even do the treble bridge repair...</FONT></DIV> <DIV>Facts you've provided:   You are a piano owner, not a = technician (that's OK), your piano is 115 years old (that's at least = 2 piano lifetimes), and you've had it tuned by someone who does not do repairs.  <FONT color=#0000ff>The gentleman who tuned also = did the repairs.  Repairs done were: 1 set damper felts, 1set bridle = straps, 1 hammer, 1 thorough cleaning inside, 1 new key bed,  1 tuning = and 2 ivory key tops.  I bought the piano from a lady who claims the = piano has been in her family since it was new.  Handed down from = generation to generation.  Her son played it and was going to keep it but = decided on a new digital.  The thing that is bothering me is the = technician who has done the tuning and repairs is the one who checked it out = before I bought it from her and said the repairs listed above were all it = needed and would be good for another generation.  He came and did the = cleaning and removed the part that has the hammers and took it with him, then = returned and put the piano back together, finished the repairs and = tuned.  As soon as he left the one key began vibrating with an annoying = noise.  He came back and discovered a few hairline cracks in the upper treble bridge.  He said when he checked out the piano at the lady's = house he did overlook the bass and treble bridges.  I bought the piano = from the lady for $230.00 and I bought it for my teenage daughter and = myself.  I took lessons for years as a child and my daughter wants to = learn.  The piano was delivered by a piano mover on 10-04-2005, and the = technician came out for the second time on 10-13-2005 to bring back the part he took = with the hammers.  We played the piano before he came out to tune = and repair and we have been playing on it daily since the repairs.  When = he came out the third time to figure out the noise he put a sponge wedge in = between the strings that do help absorb the abnormal sound in the F key = above middle C.  So I am concerned as to  what to do from here.  = Repair further or just chuck the piano and forget it.  My husband will = not allow me to get another after this experience.  I will chech = out the website listed below and see if any are in my area.  I would = like a second opinion.  No human is perfect.  Thanks</FONT></DIV> <DIV>Facts that would help us help you better:  How long have = you had the piano, who plays the piano and why, what restorative work has = been done to the piano, either by you ($523) or previous owners.  What = are your goals for the piano (or its replacement), what is your budget.</DIV> <DIV>The odds are against a 115-year-old piano holding up better = than a new one, unless you plan to spend more thatn the cost of a new one on restoration.  The truth is, all pianos require regular = maintenance, and without it they "don't hold up".</DIV> <DIV>You ought to consider having a piano technician who is knowledgeable/skilled in repairs and rebuilding evaluate your piano = and present some options.  It will cost some money just to get the evaluation, but in the long run could save you a bundle.  = </DIV> <DIV>Find a technician here:  <A = href="http://www.ptg.org/findATechnician.php?PHPSESSID=6cb955a538d074= 1f2597f0e6259fe9a8">http://www.ptg.org/findATechnician.php?PHPSESSID=6c= b955a538d0741f2597f0e6259fe9a8</A></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>hope this helps</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Mike</DIV> <DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- = </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A title=newdaymoore@bellsouth.net href="mailto:newdaymoore@bellsouth.net"></A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A = title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 11/16/2005 11:48:55 = AM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Hairline cracks in = Treble Bridge</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have an 1890 Sohmer Upright = (55").  After having it tuned I started hearing an annoying vibrating = sound out of the F Key above middle C.  My tuner came back out = to investigate and found some hairline cracks in the upper part of = the treble bridge.  He called a few people whom he trusts for bridge rebuilding.  His plan was to remove the half of = the treble bridge with the cracks and send it off to be used as a model to rebuild a new one and put the new one in for me.  But = everyone was booked well into next year.  </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>So he found out about a gentleman = who does Epoxy repair.  He himself has never done this type of repair = with epoxy but after speaking with this man and watching his video = he feels confident that he can repair the hairline cracks with = epoxy.  I am wanting to know the pros and cons to doing such a repair.  = Can you also tell me the pros and cons to removing the half of the treble bridge with the hairline cracks and sending it = away to be used as a model to build a new half and putting in a new half = bridge in instead.</FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have recently put $523 worth of = repairs into this piano.  I am wondering if I should even do the = treble bridge repair and if so which way to go.  The tone in this = piano sounds really great to me and my daughter.  I hear so many = bad things about newer pianos not holding up well.  So could any of you = advise me on this matter.  I am concerned about the epoxy method = causing any problems with the tone and sound.  Plus will the pins be = glued in?  Would that cause problems later on?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks.</FONT></DIV> = <DIV> </DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></H= TML>