The Steinway & Sons New York Factory

Gluing the Bridges to the Soundboard

Gluing the Bridge to the Soundboard After the soundboard has been planed, sanded, it's time to attach the bridges. Strong, even pressure is the key to gluing the bridges to the soundboard. A special, superior wood glue is used to avoid flexing and to ensure that the seal will be strong enough to withstand the pressure of the strings without dampering the transducing power of the spruce wood.

Notice that the bridge being attached goes across the ribs attached underneith, thus adding to the soundboard's strength. The base bridge is taller (and much shorter) than the treble bridge. The reason for its height is to allow the base strings to pass over the treble strings and treble bridge unobstructed.

Next: Preparing the Soundboard: Gluing the Ribs onto the Soundboard

Text and Photography Sources (Click to Reveal / Conceal)

Photographs by Robert Callaghan, RPT

Textual Sources:

Barron, James. Piano: The Making of a Steinway Concert Grand. New York, Henry Holt and Company, LLC, 2006.

Closson, Ernest. History of the Piano. New York, St. Martin's Press, 1944.

Fletcher, Neville H. and Thomas D Rossing. The Physics of Musical Instruments. New York,Springer, 1998.

Loesser, Arthur. Men, Women and Pianos, A Social History. New York, Dover Publications, Inc., 1954.