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Treble bridge running into plate

  • 1.  Treble bridge running into plate

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-17-2021 19:47
    A model M Steinway I service has the highest treble portion of the bridge touching the plate, and choking the sustain on those notes.  Any suggestions to improve (removing the plate is not an option.)
    My thought was to remove the strings and take a hacksaw blade to create a minimal gap, followed by sanding strips and sealing with lacquer or varnish. Any other suggestions?


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    Joe Wiencek

    New York NY
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  • 2.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-17-2021 21:29
    Sounds like a good plan, Joe.

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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    St. Augustine, FL 32095
    Tnrwim@aol.com
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  • 3.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Posted 11-17-2021 21:43
    That's what I did on a B many years ago and it is still OK. I didn't restore the finish on the bridge.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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  • 4.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2021 02:01

    What an alarming subject line. It shouldn't ought to do that. Minor wood surgery is called for to make clearance -- ANY clearance would be enough.

    How about paring with a very sharp chisel?






  • 5.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Posted 11-18-2021 02:11
    I would glue some sandpaper on a flat rigid metal stick. Any clearance is good, I think.

    Davide






  • 6.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2021 11:58
    You might ask Ben Gac what he would recommend. From the picture I'm sure the instrument is well out of warranty and I assume was not rebuilt by anyone. Steinway should be interested if all the above is factual, and might lead to pro active discovery for certain years manufacturing. JMO. 

     

     

    http://bit.ly/Schedule_My_Piano

     

    "Good, better, best; never let it rest, 'til the good is better and better best!"


    "Providing quality service for the world's pianos"

     

    George W.R. "Bill" Davis, RPT

    The Piano Place GA

    2315 Rocky Mountain Rd NE

    Marietta GA 30066

    www.pianoplace.net

    bill@pianoplace.net


    Sent from my iPhone





  • 7.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2021 17:15
    It certainly is out of warranty (203702.)
    And it was rebuilt, but with that mistake!
    Measure twice.....

    Joe





  • 8.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2021 11:13
    I think that's a good approach and probably what I would do.  You might also look into getting some PermaGrit paddles from Pianotek (catalogue page D9) to use once you've cut away enough material with the hacksaw to insert these. You might even be able to use these to sand away some of the plate.  The grit is just one side of these paddles so it's really the perfect thing for this.  comes in 60 and 120 grit.

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    David Love RPT
    www.davidlovepianos.com
    davidlovepianos@comcast.net
    415 407 8320
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  • 9.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Posted 11-18-2021 16:31
    It just occurred to me, use a MotoTool. Easier than a hack saw.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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  • 10.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2021 17:14
    Mmmm,
    Thanks Jon. 

    Joe





  • 11.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2021 18:40
    They must have screwed up on the pinblock. Too close to the stretcher.

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 12.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2021 21:48
    I have not installed a new soundboard nor pin block. Wouldn't the perimeter bolt holes not line up if the pinblock was that close to the stretcher? Of course, I haven't done this, I suppose the original bolt holes could be plugged and repositioned...

    Could it also be the bridge was not glued on the new soundboard in the correct position?


    Joe





  • 13.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Posted 11-18-2021 19:37
    I might try plunging straight down first. You'll probably finish it at 45 degrees. Sanding might be needed but I doubt it.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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  • 14.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Posted 11-18-2021 20:04
    You might need to touchup the finish on the plate unless you run a thin pallet knife or something between the plate and saw blade, I don't know how...
    If touchup is needed, mask off the bridge so as not to get gold on the bridge.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
    ------------------------------



  • 15.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2021 21:43
    My original thought of using a hacksaw blade rather than a thin wood saw was that whatever the blade encountered, it would cut, to give me that gap.   I'll be prepared to touch up the plate. Thanks for the further suggestions. 

    Joe





  • 16.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Posted 11-18-2021 22:22
    An oscillating multi- tool would be my first choice for creating a hairline crack with minimal effort. 
    Curious, did you check the speaking length of note 88? And compare it to the Spec?

    -chris​

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    Chernobieff Piano Restorations
    "Where Tone is Key"
    chernobieffpiano.com
    grandpianoman@protonmail.com
    Lenoir City, TN
    865-986-7720
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  • 17.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-19-2021 11:16
    I didn’t measure. But I will, thanks Chris. Does Steinway publish these specs? I believe I have them for strike points, but not for speaking lengths.

    Joe




  • 18.  RE: Treble bridge running into plate

    Posted 11-20-2021 11:23
    HI Joe. Judging from your photo it may be that the touching point occurs at the very end of the bridge. Can you get a jack knife blade in there?  I can't see that cosmetics would be an issue as the piano appears to be filthy and the touching point appears to be below the line of site. Check this before pulling the strings - it may be an easier fix than anticipated. A thin file or emery board sanding on the bridge side may give you clearance needed. Again, I'm guessing from the photo - hopefully the rub is not more severe.

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    Randy Prentice
    Tucson AZ
    520-749-3788
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