Pianotech

Thank you Wim.  I was quite discouraged as I thought this was going to be a very costly repair.  I appreciate your time in responding to this!

Brendon

Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2024 10:31
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Bridge Cracks in a Baby Grand Piano - Options

Brendon

The very small cracks on those bridges are of no consequence. No need to repair them. And you should have no problems tuning the piano. 

Wim Blees

Original Message:
Sent: 11/14/2024 10:19:00 AM
From: Brendon Everswick
Subject: Bridge Cracks in a Baby Grand Piano - Options

Hi, My name is Brendon and I'm new to the community.  I am not a tuner or technician, however, I'm very interested in taking the steps to become one.  Recently, I was gifted a Baldwin Baby Grand that I believe was made in 1936.  It was pointed out to me that there are some small cracks/splits in both bridges and a potential larger crack forming on the bass bridge.  From what I have gathered this will prevent me from possible getting a stable tuning and the repair will likely be very expensive.  Is there a possibility that given the size of the cracks that I'd be ok to have it tuned and hold or is this going to require an expensive repair?

I just moved to the Austin area and looking to join the PTG and get started in learning to become a tuner/technician.  Thanks for any and all help/or suggestions.

Brendon

------------------------------
Brendon Everswick
Corporate Pilot
Aliso Viejo CA
(949) 836-0680
------------------------------

Appreciate the welcoming to the group and I hope to!

I wasn't planning on doing a rebuild due to the cost and lack of experience, however, I am very interested in becoming a tech/tuner just trying to figure out the past path to get started.  I'm hoping at some point I can apprentice under a RPT in the area.  If not I'll try my hand at simple repairs and tunings on my own piano along with a recommended correspondence course.  

I just moved into a house in the Austin area, so the plan is to keep and play it.  Thank you for all your suggestions; very much appreciate it!

Brendon

Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2024 12:32
From: Paul Williams
Subject: Bridge Cracks in a Baby Grand Piano - Options

Welcome to the group! You'll learn a lot!

Are you wanting to learn to rebuild this piano?  It's a great project. My first rebuild was a 1919 Chickering...perhaps not the best to learn on!  You'll find out.

 

Make sure there is crown on the soundboard.

 

Is this to keep and play or turn around to sell?

Find a great local rebuilder and suck up all their knowledge!

 

Good luck!

Paul T. Williams RPT

Director of Piano Services

University of South Carolina

 

Original Message:
Sent: 11/14/2024 10:19:00 AM
From: Brendon Everswick
Subject: Bridge Cracks in a Baby Grand Piano - Options

Hi, My name is Brendon and I'm new to the community.  I am not a tuner or technician, however, I'm very interested in taking the steps to become one.  Recently, I was gifted a Baldwin Baby Grand that I believe was made in 1936.  It was pointed out to me that there are some small cracks/splits in both bridges and a potential larger crack forming on the bass bridge.  From what I have gathered this will prevent me from possible getting a stable tuning and the repair will likely be very expensive.  Is there a possibility that given the size of the cracks that I'd be ok to have it tuned and hold or is this going to require an expensive repair?

I just moved to the Austin area and looking to join the PTG and get started in learning to become a tuner/technician.  Thanks for any and all help/or suggestions.

Brendon

------------------------------
Brendon Everswick
Corporate Pilot
Aliso Viejo CA
(949) 836-0680
------------------------------

The best thing you can do is to join a local chapter of the Piano Technicians Guild and attend a future conference. You can try to apprentice with someone and also find a mentor that will work with you. I see you are a Corporate Pilot which I am sure keeping your skills sharp is a necessity.  The same goes for piano technicians. Before joining a PTG Chapter attend a meeting and find out when they meet It is possible to join a second chapter which is a REAL BONUS SINCE YOU HAVE MORE KNOWLEDGE TO DRAW FROM. 

The cracks you have on the Baldwin are not a problem.You can learn from someone how to repair them. One great thing about having a piano is you can practice doing repairs on as well as tuning and regulation. Good Luck 

Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2024 17:16
From: Brendon Everswick
Subject: Bridge Cracks in a Baby Grand Piano - Options

Appreciate the welcoming to the group and I hope to!

I wasn't planning on doing a rebuild due to the cost and lack of experience, however, I am very interested in becoming a tech/tuner just trying to figure out the past path to get started.  I'm hoping at some point I can apprentice under a RPT in the area.  If not I'll try my hand at simple repairs and tunings on my own piano along with a recommended correspondence course.  

I just moved into a house in the Austin area, so the plan is to keep and play it.  Thank you for all your suggestions; very much appreciate it!

Brendon

------------------------------
Brendon Everswick
Corporate Pilot
Austin TX
(949) 836-0680

Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2024 12:32
From: Paul Williams
Subject: Bridge Cracks in a Baby Grand Piano - Options

Welcome to the group! You'll learn a lot!

Are you wanting to learn to rebuild this piano?  It's a great project. My first rebuild was a 1919 Chickering...perhaps not the best to learn on!  You'll find out.

 

Make sure there is crown on the soundboard.

 

Is this to keep and play or turn around to sell?

Find a great local rebuilder and suck up all their knowledge!

 

Good luck!

Paul T. Williams RPT

Director of Piano Services

University of South Carolina

 

Original Message:
Sent: 11/14/2024 10:19:00 AM
From: Brendon Everswick
Subject: Bridge Cracks in a Baby Grand Piano - Options

Hi, My name is Brendon and I'm new to the community.  I am not a tuner or technician, however, I'm very interested in taking the steps to become one.  Recently, I was gifted a Baldwin Baby Grand that I believe was made in 1936.  It was pointed out to me that there are some small cracks/splits in both bridges and a potential larger crack forming on the bass bridge.  From what I have gathered this will prevent me from possible getting a stable tuning and the repair will likely be very expensive.  Is there a possibility that given the size of the cracks that I'd be ok to have it tuned and hold or is this going to require an expensive repair?

I just moved to the Austin area and looking to join the PTG and get started in learning to become a tuner/technician.  Thanks for any and all help/or suggestions.

Brendon

------------------------------
Brendon Everswick
Corporate Pilot
Aliso Viejo CA
(949) 836-0680
------------------------------

Thank you James for your thoughts and advice.  I'm glad to hear from you and others that the cracks arn't a significant problem.  I'm having it tuned tomorrow so will see what comes of that and if there are any additional repairs that are noted/discovered.  Excited to learn and do some of the smaller repairs initially on this piano.

I plan on meeting with my local chapter this next month.  I think I'll wait on any correspondence courses till after meeting with local chapters to see if there is a preferred path forward.  Thanks again for your time and appreciate your response.

Brendon

Original Message:
Sent: 11-17-2024 08:36
From: James Kelly
Subject: Bridge Cracks in a Baby Grand Piano - Options

The best thing you can do is to join a local chapter of the Piano Technicians Guild and attend a future conference. You can try to apprentice with someone and also find a mentor that will work with you. I see you are a Corporate Pilot which I am sure keeping your skills sharp is a necessity.  The same goes for piano technicians. Before joining a PTG Chapter attend a meeting and find out when they meet It is possible to join a second chapter which is a REAL BONUS SINCE YOU HAVE MORE KNOWLEDGE TO DRAW FROM. 

The cracks you have on the Baldwin are not a problem.You can learn from someone how to repair them. One great thing about having a piano is you can practice doing repairs on as well as tuning and regulation. Good Luck 

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2024 17:16
From: Brendon Everswick
Subject: Bridge Cracks in a Baby Grand Piano - Options

Appreciate the welcoming to the group and I hope to!

I wasn't planning on doing a rebuild due to the cost and lack of experience, however, I am very interested in becoming a tech/tuner just trying to figure out the past path to get started.  I'm hoping at some point I can apprentice under a RPT in the area.  If not I'll try my hand at simple repairs and tunings on my own piano along with a recommended correspondence course.  

I just moved into a house in the Austin area, so the plan is to keep and play it.  Thank you for all your suggestions; very much appreciate it!

Brendon

------------------------------
Brendon Everswick
Corporate Pilot
Austin TX
(949) 836-0680

Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2024 12:32
From: Paul Williams
Subject: Bridge Cracks in a Baby Grand Piano - Options

Welcome to the group! You'll learn a lot!

Are you wanting to learn to rebuild this piano?  It's a great project. My first rebuild was a 1919 Chickering...perhaps not the best to learn on!  You'll find out.

 

Make sure there is crown on the soundboard.

 

Is this to keep and play or turn around to sell?

Find a great local rebuilder and suck up all their knowledge!

 

Good luck!

Paul T. Williams RPT

Director of Piano Services

University of South Carolina

 

Original Message:
Sent: 11/14/2024 10:19:00 AM
From: Brendon Everswick
Subject: Bridge Cracks in a Baby Grand Piano - Options

Hi, My name is Brendon and I'm new to the community.  I am not a tuner or technician, however, I'm very interested in taking the steps to become one.  Recently, I was gifted a Baldwin Baby Grand that I believe was made in 1936.  It was pointed out to me that there are some small cracks/splits in both bridges and a potential larger crack forming on the bass bridge.  From what I have gathered this will prevent me from possible getting a stable tuning and the repair will likely be very expensive.  Is there a possibility that given the size of the cracks that I'd be ok to have it tuned and hold or is this going to require an expensive repair?

I just moved to the Austin area and looking to join the PTG and get started in learning to become a tuner/technician.  Thanks for any and all help/or suggestions.

Brendon

------------------------------
Brendon Everswick
Corporate Pilot
Aliso Viejo CA
(949) 836-0680
------------------------------