Videos and DVDs You Can Use!

All footage is packed with useful no-nonsense information, and include many clear close-up shots. Each tape or DVD is $55, or purchase both for $99. Money back if you are not satisfied!

Soundboard Installation Video or DVD (3 ½ hours) Price $55

·        Includes great footage on downbearing and plate setting

·        Also highlights many features of Steinway full-fit pinblock fitting to case and stretcher

·        Plate removal and prepping for pinblock removal

·        Checking nosebolt heights

·        Survey of job with camcorder

·        A special treble bridge pattern for squaring off diagonal bridge notching

o       Such as found on some old Steinway models

·        Electric hoist plate pulling

·        Checking crown on old soundboard

·        Removing trim pieces and drilling out plate dowels

·        Locating damper guide rail holes

·        Bridge location techniques using simple tools and supplies

·        Making a simple full-fit pinblock pattern

·        Steinway pinblock removal using electric reciprocating saw

o       And best technique for removing waste material on stretcher

·        Simple wooden pinblock height gage

·        Sawing out the old board with electric saber saw

o       When ramming out is impractical

·        Making a soundboard pattern

o       We need to make your new board

·        Cleaning up the inner rim

·        Checking and correcting the inner rim (when necessary)

·        Close up shots of new soundboard crown

·        A look at soundboard panel tapering (diaphramizing)

·        Fitting the new board and ribs to the rim

·        Clamps, press blocks and cauls

o       Includes special set up for pressing board onto cut-off bars

·        Gluing in the new board

·        Steinway type gluing platform at belly rail

o       Easy to make from wood

·        Filling gaps at rim with wood

·        Techniques and press blocks for installing quarter round trim

·        Installing the full-fit pinblock

o       Including pocket dowels into stretcher

·        Simple setup for drilling tuning pin holes at drill press

·        Setting the plate for downbearing

o       Over an existing or duplicated bridge

·        Downbearing numbers and theory

·        Using test strings and gage blocks

·        Adjusting the plate

·        Measuring for acoustic dowel heights (plate supports)

·        Installing and trimming the dowels

·        Proof that a glued in soundboard takes on a more or less spherical shape

·        BONUS FOOTAGE

o       Re-dressing the capo bar

o       Repairing a blown out front bridge notch on an otherwise good bridge

Bridges and Downbearing Video or DVD (2 hours 45 min) Price $55

Our procedures for setting downbearing on a new bridge cap entails a unique system of techniques whereby all the components – the new soundboard, the planed down bridges, the simulated plate support dowels, and the plate – are dry-fit together and thereafter removed for best access and ease of work on the bridges. Test strings and small gage blocks are used to determine the new bridge cap height, but if you are a confirmed bridge “kerfer”, these techniques can still prove quite useful to you!

·        Dry-fitting the bridges to the new board with screws and washers

·        Dry-fitting the soundboard/bridge assembly to the rim

·        Temporary fit of all components

o       Bridge to board

o       Board to rim

o       Plate bosses consideration

o       All "clamped" down on rim, and all easily removed after the bearing/new cap height has been determined

·        Pre-stressing the new soundboard

·        Determining the new cap height

o       Using test strings

o       Small steel gage blocks

o       Simple math for 1.5 degrees angle of bearing

·        Gluing in the new caps, then routing, scraping sides

·        Transferring bridge height dimensions

·        Planing the caps to the target depth

o       Power planing

o       Hand planes

·        A look at bridge patterns

o       Layout and punching for pins and notches

·        Drilling bridge pin holes using a flexible shaft and motor

·        Survey of bridge notching tools

·        Step by step techniques of bridge notching (many close up shots)

·        Bass bridge chamfering

·        Cosmetic follow up

·        Installing, leveling, and filing the pins

·        Dry-fitting and gluing on the bridges

·        A close up of a diaphragmatic area of the board

·        Drilling and installing the ¼” rib / bridge dowels

·        Installing the soundboard acoustic blocks

·        The wash coat of shellac

·        Close up of soundboard crown at ribs

Next sections are duplicates of footage found on the Soundboard Installation tape, but are included here for those who do not have that tape.

·        Downbearing numbers and theory

·        Using test strings and gage blocks

·        Adjusting the plate

·        Measuring for acoustic dowel heights (plate supports)

·        Installing and trimming the dowels for bearing

·        Proof that a glued in soundboard takes on a more or less spherical shape

·        BONUS FOOTAGE

o       Re-dressing the capo bar

·        Repairing a blown out front bridge notch on an otherwise good bridge

BRIDGE CAP MAKING DVD (1 hour 45 min) Price $30

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