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Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)

  • 1.  Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)

    Posted 06-01-2021 16:45
    60 yr old Acrosonic spinet.  Treble bridge (see pics) either cracked or cap unglued.  Piano is not really worth the cost of replacing or recapping.  Not even sure it's worth the trouble to pull the action, lower tension, remove strings in treble and attempt some other repair; but I thought perhaps (and she's hoping) someone here might have a creative method to restore the tone in these treble strings.  Sentimental value.  Parents bought it for her at 16 yrs. of age. 
    I've replaced bridges before, but this thing's almost a 90 minute drive; and I'm not even sure I want to tackle it at my age, so if anyone's in possession of a great idea -- I'm "all ears". 

    Also -- Never had the privilege of pulling one of these ancient Baldwin spinet actions before.  (With the sticker "rail" unattached to the action brackets)  What's the secret to managing the stickers and keeping them in their bushings?  Please don't tell me I'll be doing a lot of "hair-pulling".  I'm already losing some.

    Pics attached. (Hope you can make out the crack.  Was very difficult to get a good pic.)

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    Timothy Edwards
    Beckley WV
    740-517-7636
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  • 2.  RE: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-01-2021 18:42

    Tim. 

    of course it's possible. But is the customer willing to pay the cost I'd making the repair?  I would quote her a minimum of 4 hours to repair the bridge plus 2 or 3 follow up calls to retune the piano. That's provided you don't break any strings. And, that's not even considering the time to go to her house.  

    To remove the action, take the last damper block off the damper lever wire and put it on note 1 sticker.  Take the next to last damper and put it on note 88 sticker. 



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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    Mililani, HI 96789
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  • 3.  RE: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)

    Posted 06-01-2021 20:58
    Thanks for the tip, Willem.  All my previous experience has been with replacing or recapping bridges.  I'm wondering in this case, whether I might use Schaff's soundboard repair clamp (#58) as a clamp to draw it together and inject either some CA glue or some titebond into the crack to restore the tone.  Not sure if that clamp will apply sufficient pressure in this instance.   Can't think of anything else more efficient at the moment short of more invasive drilling (and screwing) or removing and replacing it.

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    Timothy Edwards
    Beckley WV
    740-517-7636
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  • 4.  RE: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)

    Member
    Posted 06-01-2021 22:40
    I have fixed several Baldwins that had issues with dead notes usually several notes in a row up to as much as an octave. There was a lack of enough glue or the glue was bad. You need to get the action out using Wims tip or tying the sticker pin guide rail to keep all the stickers in place . use a small drill to drill several pilot holes through the bridge centered between the bridge pins. The drill should be long enough to go through the bridge cap, bridge and soundboard. I then drill a larger hole through the soundboard into the bridge and use a tapered threaded dowel known as a Miller Dowel. You could also use short drywall screws , Before tightening the Miller dowels or screws squirt wood glue between the bridge and soundboard. Use a screwdriver or chisel to pry the bridge slightly away from the board to make a wider gap to inject the glue When you tighten things from the soundboard it will tighten the bridge against the board. No need to use a clamp..

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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  • 5.  RE: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-01-2021 23:35
    All in all, it might work out best if the owner brings the piano to you and picks it up after the work is finished. It will give you time to sort it all out.
    Pulling the action isn't all that bad and even if you slip and have to get all those stickers back in the rail it won't be the end of you, I've done it more than a few times =\

    Pretty much the treble bridge problems I've run into with Acrosoncs have been the cap lifting at the break on the right hand side, only separated an inch or two, as I recall I clamped them down with a wood screw and wood insert that fit between the bridge pins, after the glue dried I replaced the screw with a dowel. The one catch is that area is pretty much aligned with the the keyed so that needs to be worked out. Whole thing doesn't really take that much time but you need to eliminate all that travel.

    James' method looks good for more extensive separation as long as the posts aren't in the way.

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    Steven Rosenthal
    Honolulu HI
    808-521-7129
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  • 6.  RE: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-02-2021 10:11
    Hi Timothy,  I'd look at your options with Epoxy.  Clamps can be tough to use on bridges, but  you could just use screws to hold it in place. Also if you use epoxy, the screws will never come out, so counter sink them.  Depending on the budget, you might explore having the piano moved to your place.  The epoxy should take about a day to dry before the strings go back in place and the job can be much enjoyable on your own time.  
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    -Matt Crudo, RPT 
     





  • 7.  RE: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)

    Posted 06-02-2021 08:42
    Rather than using damper blocks for securing the sticker wires, remove the handles and use rubber wedge mutes.  If economy is key with them, have them bring the piano to you as Terry suggested. It's much easier to do in your shop with all your tools handy.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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  • 8.  RE: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-02-2021 09:37
    Try this instead of dampers.
    https://supply88.com/collections/all-products-from-supply88/products/lifter-clamps-for-drop-action-removal

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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
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  • 9.  RE: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)

    Posted 06-02-2021 06:47
    Lots of good suggestions here, but I know what I'd be recommending to the owner. Just give them the address to the local landfill and have a conversation about buying a nice clean used (or new!) piano. It's a buyer's market these days.....

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    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
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  • 10.  RE: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)

    Posted 06-02-2021 18:53
    Thanks everyone for the great suggestions.   Do I need to drop string tension across the entire plate, or can I get away with only removing the treble strings required to gain access to the bridge?  If I remember correctly, I used to just remove the bass strings when replacing the bass bridges.

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    Timothy Edwards
    Beckley WV
    740-517-7636
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  • 11.  RE: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-03-2021 21:39
    Hi all, I'll be the first to admit that I have not lowered the string tension across the plate. I'll usually get away with lowering 10 plus or minus strings at the most doing the repair and in a or so, day bring them back up to tension. Obviously the whole piano needs to be re-stabilized at pitch after this repair, BUT I can't guarantee anything. I've done this repair on maybe five pianos over the years and not had an issue( still holding today), but you never know. Best of luck!