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<DIV>In a message dated 11/17/2005 5:26:52 AM Pacific Standard Time, anrebe@=
sbcglobal.net writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue =
2px solid"><FONT face=Arial>It is possible that there is a beating in sing=
le strings caused by <BR>loose bridge pins due to cracking in the bridge.&nb=
sp; Put a solid piece <BR>of metal up against that pin and if it quits, you'=
ve found it. If it <BR>only loses volume, you're just damping it. =
; </FONT></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style">I agree with this and your other sugge=
stions to diagnose the problem before deciding on which avenue to pursue. It=
would also be a good idea to check soundboard crown and downbearing, as neg=
ative bearing can cause false beating even on tight bridge pins. But...</FON=
T></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue =
2px solid"><FONT face=Arial>Re-seating the bridge pin <BR>in epoxy is a go=
od solution for loose bridge pins where there is <BR>cracking (otherwise goi=
ng up a size is good too and somewhat less <BR>permanent). </FONT></BL=
OCKQUOTE>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"><FONT face="Bookman Old Style">I don=
't think going up a size is such a good idea. Filling the crack with epoxy o=
r CA to stop the movement of the top of the pin is better than driving =
a larger wedge in. Also, a larger pin will increase the side bearing, and th=
erefore the forces acting to separate the crack. </FONT>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Recapping would depend upon a more thorough assessment of the cond=
ition and value (including sentimental value) of the piano, and its owner's =
long-term plans for it. It's usually more appropriate during a major rebuild=
, when the strings and plate are out of the way. The cap is usually less tha=
n a quarter of an inch thick. If only the cap is replaced, the holes in the =
bridge root need to be plugged, and the cap material glued on, drilled in pl=
ace, then notched; or, the root needs to be cut down and leveled, and a=
thicker cap installed. Either method is hard to do with the plate in the wa=
y. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Bob Davis</DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face="Bookman Old Style"></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>