Dear All,  Please, can anyone point me in the right direction to
a supplier of brass bar or rod of the correct cross-sectional form
to make up a replacement pressure bar for a barrel piano?

The pressure bar is that horizontal bar, usually made of brass,
that is fitted immediately above the top bridge and just below the
wrest-pins.  Its purpose is to apply downward pressure to the piano
strings at that point, to ensure a good contact of the strings with
the bridge.  On most domestic upright pianos the pressure bar does
not extend the full length of the instrument, but is fitted to the
tri-chords only.

I need to make up a replacement pressure bar for a street barrel
piano that I am currently restoring, as the original is unserviceable,
having become brittle with age.  Upon inspection, the bar appears to
be 3/8-inch diameter, with a flat on the surface, so the resulting
cross-sectional form is almost a "D" shape.

The bar is secured it its position by countersunk or round-head
wood-screws, the positions of which being unique to each piano design,
as the wood-screws naturally have to be fixed so they are between the
groups of strings corresponding to each piano note, which of course
varies from piano to piano due to differences in the string layout,
so the replacement pressure bar needs to be supplied 'blank' and the
positions of the drilled holes for the fixing-screws will be accurately
determined by reference to the original bar.

I have contacted the two main piano parts suppliers in the U.K.,
Fletcher and Newman, also Heckscher's of London, but both firms were
unable to help.  It struck me that piano restoration companies must
occasionally need to replace or make up a new pressure bar on antique
pianos and naturally I would be interested to know how they go about
obtaining the brass bar required for the job!

Further, if any MMDer has needed to make up a replacement pressure bar
for a piano, I would be most grateful for any advice they can give.

Best wishes,
Paul Baker
Gosport, U.K.

 [ Maybe the pressure bar from an old English "birdcage" piano could
 [ be adapted to fit the barrel piano.  Salvaged material is usually
 [ less costly than new.  -- Editor (Robbie)