1/4 tone piece

[McNeilTom@aol.com]

Hi, Dennis, and colleagues -

The 50-cent pitch lowering would result in a 6% overall reduction in tension. 
 I should not think that would be enough to release the pressure on the plate 
wedge - ordinarily.  Perhaps it was loose already.  Anyway, for anyone 
concerned about the wedge's falling out, just tape it securely in place 
before lowering pitch.  That's what we do to keep it from falling out during 
stringing.  (Watch out that any tape left in the piano does not interfere 
with the dampers, the sostenuto, or the hammers when shifted by the una 
corda.)

  -    Tom McNeil, RPT     -
Vermont Piano Restorations

In a message dated 99-11-23 14:27:37 EST, Dennis Johnson writes:

<<  I have tuned for this particular piece a couple times. The first of the
 three pieces is awesome. You will be very impressed. The other two are not
 as good.  I did not like doing it, but agreed to it anyway.  Worse, I
 agreed to let the piano sit at that pitch for another performance a few
 weeks later. The piano did recover, but unfortunately, it loosened the
 plate wedge- and actually fell out later. The piano is fine now. I ended
 up having to lower pitch again another time just to properly put the wedge
 back in. Be sure and check that as you go.  >>