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Separated Beams in Grand Piano

  • 1.  Separated Beams in Grand Piano

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-17-2023 12:43

    Hello all,

    I just encountered a Brodmann BG-187 with separated beams:

    Is this a problem?


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    Peter Stevenson RPT
    P.S. Piano Service
    Prince George BC
    (250) 562-5358
    ps@pspianos.com
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  • 2.  RE: Separated Beams in Grand Piano

    Member
    Posted 11-17-2023 18:22

    It could be a result of a drop. Looks like glue joint failure. Have you checked the plate, soundboard, case for signs of cracks and finish damage ?Was the piano moved recently ? 



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


  • 3.  RE: Separated Beams in Grand Piano

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-17-2023 20:27

    Yes, it was moved recently. It was bought from a private sale 1,000 km away. This is the first time I have seen the piano, so I have no idea how long it's been like this. No other damage that I can see.



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    Peter Stevenson RPT
    P.S. Piano Service
    Prince George BC
    (250) 562-5358
    ps@pspianos.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Separated Beams in Grand Piano

    Posted 11-18-2023 05:25

    James K made some good suggestions. If all that looks good and the piano sounds and plays as well as it should, then it is likely just fine enough. If not dropped and damaged in that way, likely just put together at the factory in a manner that left quite a bit of stress on the beams and they separated. One could always squish a bunch of epoxy into the crack and call it done - or - just leave it and call it not a problem.



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    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Separated Beams in Grand Piano

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2023 07:43

    You left out information. Is it up to pitch? If it hasn't been tuned recently is it at least even?



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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Separated Beams in Grand Piano

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2023 09:19

    No concerns about pitch - it was fairly close and even.



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    Peter Stevenson RPT
    P.S. Piano Service
    Prince George BC
    (250) 562-5358
    ps@pspianos.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Separated Beams in Grand Piano

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-19-2023 22:43
    Hi I would think the that this could be a problem of side stress on the nose bolts going through the plate.  I have seen in a 9 foot after it was incorrectly move beams separate fro m the  tail apron.  It pushed the nose bolts up and set the plate too high causing downbeat g problem as and lots of leaking of sound.  I've also seen in rim delamination. from the outer rim. Especially at the bent side.  This caused a weak sound in a short lapse of decay.  



    Sent from Gmail Mobile



    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Separated Beams in Grand Piano

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2023 10:31
    Where was it moved from? A dry winter location? 

    Don Mannino
    Sent from my phone. 



    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Separated Beams in Grand Piano

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2023 10:45

    No, it came from the Vancouver area, a mild west-coast climate. It'll be in a severe climate up here though. It's only been here for a few weeks, so I don't think it would have separated since arriving, but I suppose that's possible. It does have a Piano Lifesaver System installed.



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    Peter Stevenson RPT
    P.S. Piano Service
    Prince George BC
    (250) 562-5358
    ps@pspianos.com
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    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Separated Beams in Grand Piano

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2023 10:49

    Warn them and keep an eye on it. Years ago I serviced an old Weber grand with a crack in the middle plate strut. Marked its length and warned the client. 10 years later hadn't changed.



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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Separated Beams in Grand Piano

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-18-2023 11:31

    I've had similar experience to Larry. Wouldn't worry about something you can't really fix. Record measurement of crack and write date. Check it every time tuned.  If it stays the same for two years it will probably stay that way for twenty more. 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message