605-880-3770The vibrations of the strings are transferred to the soundboard through the bridges. Made of solid or laminated maple, the integrity of the bridge is crucial to the sound of a piano. If the bridge cracks or splits, unlike the soundboard, this is a serious problem and must be repaired. Bridge pins must be solid. A loose pin can cause a buzz and/or a false beat that cannot be tuned out. A split, usually the result of improper grain orientation in the bridge cap, allows the pins to swim around in the crack. Diminished tone to complete loss of tone results. Epoxy is the usual repair for small cracks. A new bridge cap is necessary in severe cases.
Bridges
My piano thinks that Stuart Davidson hung the moon!! I traveled over 1,000 miles so that Stuart might have the opportunity to rejuvenate me. I was bought by Emma Schroke for $400.00 in 1913. I have seen three generations pound on my keyboard, but when I traveled from Texas to South Dakota, I was still relatively good. When Mr. Davidson finished with me – I was fantastic!!
Lois Fietz, Houston, Texas