You've often seen plate wedges, Keith. Perhaps you were just unaware they had a name. Many (most?) pianos have a plate wedge, or certainly a variation of the theme. The description fits because of both the [typical] form and function of the wedge. The wedge fits between the plate 'horn' and the belly rail, right at the bass/tenor break. The need, as I understand it, is to reinforce the area, thereby prevent undue stresses from building up at this crossover juncture. Obviously, due to inconsistencies in plate/case manufacture, no two pianos will have the same amount of gap at this point... hence the "adjustable" utility of the wedge. Some pianos have a large, adjustable bolt arrangement that are adjusted with a wrench instead of a mallet/hammer. I've also seen hardwood shims used in (lesser) products. Still lower-class pianos have screws running directly into the belly rail from the plate horn. The technical term for this method of installation is called "blind faith". My best wedge experience involved a -new- Mason & Hamlin 'BB' or 'CC' (forgot). The wedge had fallen out during shipping (layed up on the side). The wedge was found on top of the keys. The resulting tuning was also quite memorable. I decided to replace the wedge using a -long- drift through the pitman hole, instead of further traumatizing the piano. The operation was a success, but to this day, I've never heard such moans, groans, and grunts coming out of a piano. (I did lower tension, but not enough to loose string coil symmetry/integrity). More than you wanted to know... sorry! Jim Harvey, RPT Greenwood, SC At 01:39 PM 11/23/99 -0600, you wrote: >>...unfortunately, it loosened the >>plate wedge- and actually fell out later... >>Dennis Johnson >>St. Olaf College > >Help me out, please. Plate wedge? > >Keith McGavern, RPT >Oklahoma Baptist University >St. Gregory's University >Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA > > >
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