"Michael Concordia" <piano-roll-one@worldnet.att.net> writes:

> the bass bridge is still firmly glued to the soundboard yet has to be
> replaced I have removed the screws and have tried a little vinegar in
> water solution applied to the joint with no positive results.  Any
> ideas on how to go about this without damaging the soundboard?

The effect of water and vinegar is slow but will eventually weaken the
joint enough to accomplish your goal.  Here's a few tips I've found
work well.......

The vinegar and water solution should be hot

Make a small trench at the glue joint using a wood chisel or one of
those special funny looking chisels from the supply houses.  If the
plate is in the way, use something to score the glue line.  This will
focus the solution better on the glue joint.

Stuff rags in the surrounding area to keep the solution off any other
glue joints.  Wipe off solution from areas you don't want it as you
apply it to the joint.

Using a large pipe wrench or huge lock jaw pliers, get a firm grip on
the bridge and start rocking it bach and forth as space permits.  If
you're replacing the bridge all together, there will be no need to
worry about cushioning the jaws of your tools, just be sure to retain
the original dimensions of the bridge for replacement purposes.  You'll
hear some creaking and cracking of the wood as you rock it back and
forth.  Continue to add more solution as it become looser.  Some of the
soundboard will come off with it but usually not enough to worry
about.  I've only encountered a few splinters here and there.  Since
you won't be glueing the same piece back on that came off, and if you
have lots of wood splinters from the soundboard come off with the
bridge, fill the voids with automotive fiberglass (Bondo), sand smooth
and reglue your new bridge on.

Another method that I can think of requires lots more paper work.

Measure and diagram everything about the bridge.  Make a print of the
pinning, and then proceed to totally mangle and destroy the bridge with
every tool you can throw at it.  A skill saw could be used to slice
pieces off until nothing remains but the stumps, and then you could
grind or file them down with a SureForm (I think is the brand name)
file.  I suppose you might be able to get a router to reach the depth
from the plate, but then maybe not.  If you could, you would have the
opportunity to get a really nice machined smooth surface for your new
bridge to be glued to.

It's only a piano.  It's only a bass bridge.  You need to remove the
old one, put on the new one of proper dimensions, and get the string
vibrations to the soundboard with as little loss (of vibrations) as
possible.  To do all this with as little financial loss is a whole
'nuther matter.

Lar

•                      Larry Fisher RPT
   specialist in players, retrofits, and other complicated stuff
      phone 360-256-2999 or email larryf@pacifier.com
         http://www.pacifier.com/~larryf/ (revised 10/96)
           Beau Dahnker pianos work best under water