Baldwin termination bars

[Fred Sturm]

	A colleague of mine (not subscribed to the list) has a problem with a 
Baldwin concert grand in his care. It is a "modern design" Baldwin - plate 
suspension system, acujust hitch pins, front termination system - but an 
early version. Specifically, instead of individual "termination units" (or 
whatever Baldwin calls them) for each unison, there is a composite section 
for each of the upper treble sections. (Here a moment of doubt enters my 
brain. I don't work on very many Baldwin grands, but my impression is that 
every one I have seen has individual units for each unison. Maybe my 
recollection is faulty. If so, please correct me, somebody). By termination 
unit, I am referring to the substitute for capo and v-bar, which terminates 
the speaking length and provides a duplex segment as well.
	The problem my colleague has described to me seems to be linked to one of 
the termination sections. The symptom is a "zingy" sound, and it is present 
in all but the last 2 to 3 notes of the section (the lower of the two). 
Other potential sources of this noise seem to have been eliminated from 
possibility.
	THe "zing" phenomenon was present previously to some extent, but suddenly 
(overnight, according to the owner, who is an accomplished and dedicated 
pianist - recording artist and performer) it got much worse. After trying a 
wide range of potential cures (none successful), my colleague tightened the 
allen screws which attach the unit to the plate. He said every one could be 
turned a bit, some quite a bit. THis didn't eliminate the problem, but it 
made a marked improvement.
	From the foregoing (and a lot of additional detail I am omitting), it 
seems pretty clear that there is some problem with this "termination 
section." The owner can't do without the piano for some months, so further 
examination will be put off. It will probably involve lowering tension of 
that section, quite likely removing those strings and the the termination 
section and examining it.
	Does this ring any bells for any of you. I am thinking Baldwin would have 
had a good reason for changing from sectional units to individual ones for 
each unison (if I am right that they did this). IOW, they had warrantee 
problems. Did they develop cracks? If so, how would one deal with them? Any 
feedback and suggestions would be most appreciated.
	I should add that this instrument has been through a lot. It was a touring 
concert instrument for many years, and could have suffered any number of 
jars and drops over time. And the musician, though not by any means 
destitute, is also not rolling in cash. So really major things like plate 
replacement would not be in the cards.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico