Does the 'new' plate have accu-just hitch pins? Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think Baldwin was using accu-just pins in the 30's. I'd be pretty suprised if this turns out to be a new plate. This may seem a bit unconventional but I don't think that the gaps along the plate flange are the source of tuning instability. I've torn down many pianos that didn't have anywhere near 100% contact along the plate flange and had no stability problem. I would even propose that it's not possible to have complete contact between block and flange all year round if there are strong seasonal humidity fluctuations. Most pin blocks have a few dozen stought screws through the plate as well as screws/dowels at both ends into the rim--these are what keep the pinblock from moving. Do the plate screws seem snug? Have you done a tuning on the instrument yet? John Schaldach University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Viterbo University > [Original Message] > From: Dempsey Jr., Paul E <dempsey@marshall.edu> > To: <caut@ptg.org> > Date: 1/21/2005 11:02:21 AM > Subject: [CAUT] Plate Substitution > > Hello all, > > Yesterday I examined a 9' Baldwin Concert Grand circa 1936 that was > partially rebuilt six to eight years ago. The history related to me by > the owner was that the original plate was broken somehow and the > rebuilder substituted a new SD-10 plate. I could find no modifications > in the bridges or anywhere else for that matter. > > The complaint from the owners is that the instrument will not stay in > tune even for a few days. > > The piano got a new pinblock but the block/plate flange fit is not the > best. There are areas of solid contact all along the flange length, > separated by areas where there are considerable gaps. Not good. > > The piano did not get a new soundboard or bridges (lots and lots of > hairline cracks) and there are a number of repaired cracks and some new > ones as well in the SB. > There is down bearing on the bridges but I did not check the crown, > although I am skeptical about that. > > There is also what appears to be a separation in the rim in the bentside > curve. I don't think this is a factor in the instability. > > Clearly, this piano needs a new soundboard, bridges and a new pinblock > but I'm wondering to what extent the plate substitution is evolved. > > Comments, thoughts and ideas invited. > > > > > Paul E. Dempsey, RPT > Piano Technician Sr. > Marshall University > Huntington, WV > > > _______________________________________________ > caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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