I have been involved in a lawsuit over damages allegedly done to a piano, in this case by a piano moving company. I was called by the lawyers of the plaintiff to inspect a piano for damages. I did so and billed accordingly, then I was asked to testify as an expert witness. However I had to qualify as an expert witness. If the "Case of the Unstrung Soundboard" goes to trial, any thing you said about the piano that the plaitiff offers as evidence will be suppressed by the defendant, unless it an be proven that you are an expert in your field. At least that's the way it works in California. If the plaintiff wants you to testify, the lawyer should make sure you will pass the requirements for expert witness that the state sets, and any scrutiny the defense might put up as well. Like "How many sound boards have *you* installed? " "How many pianos have you seen that had new sound boards installed?" Expert witness are well paid. They are also well grilled, excuse me cross-examined. Favorite questions are what is the value of the piano in money. Then they ask you what you think about the quality of the piano. (Are we talking about an HC Bay baby grand, or a Knabe? Then they ask you, "Is your opinion consistant with that of the profession"? Then there is issue of standard practice in a profession. Is it standard practice to replace a sound board? Could the sound board have been repaired rather than replaced? If it can be proven that some one didn't follow standard procedure, a case could be won. There is standard practice for removing the strings and measuring the bearing before and after, (in 5 or more places). There is also the standard practice of measuring plate height to sound board, before and after the strings are removed. Also checking to see if the plate was properly seated, before being removed. Was it determined that downbearing bolts (if any) were turned down, and if so how much did the plate "give"? Was the plate seated with shims or dowels? (This is a trick question) How was the height of the bass bridge from the sound board measured before removing the bridge? Has a string test for bearing been done and what are the readings? If these procedures were followed, then the measurements can be taken again to see if the sound board crown has indeed become "extreme" In your particular case, the plaintiff (the sound board installer, right? ) must prove that with the strings in, the bridge apron won't come in contact with the plate. Since a period of time (a lot) the defense has been without a piano, the legal issue of conversion (holding on to some one elses property) has or should be raised. (Assuming the plaintiff, has the piano) Many many possibilities. Keep us informed svp. Richard Moody ptt ps Know the professional literature starting with Reblitz. Also photographs are very helpful. ---------- > From: Lorlin D. Barber <ldb@commonlink.com> > To: Pianotech@byu.edu > Subject: Unstrung Soundboards > Date: Tuesday, November 05, 1996 1:36 AM > > I have been called to inspect an incomplete rebuild job by the plaintiff of a > lawsuit. The rebuilder-dealership (defendant) has had the soundboard of a > small grand replaced by a reputable rebuilder about 4-6 years ago. No > restringing has been done. The defendant claims that the soundboard was > poorly installed, and that the apron of the bass bridge comes in contact with > the plate. > I suspect that without downbearing, an extreme crown can develop in an > uncontrolled environment. Any experiences on this? > Pleadingly yours, > > Lorlin B. RPT
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