Hi everyone, My former student called today to tell me that the plate broke on an older Steinway B he is rebuilding. I talked with him about it and I am positive that he was doing things correctly. I gave him Bob Beck's number in NJ and Bob sez it can't be welded. Bob is very familiar with these birds and said that it is very common for S&S B's to break like this. (I can't describe the crack accurately. It's in the webbing starting on the treble side of the over-stringing break) My student, Paul, just had a rebuilder do the soundboard, plate, pinblock stuff. Paul did the action work and the break happened when he was chipping/tuning it. (Again I do not know this rebuilder. Supposed to have a good reputation). Either it just happened or the plate was installed incorrectly. So here's the question, who's gonna pay for it? Paul has insurance so his butt is covered. I just wonder what experiences some of you have had with this. Do S&S B's break plates often? (I've been tuning twenty years and this is a first for me) Should the rebuilder take responsibility? Is Paul in the hot seat? What about the customer? It belongs to a church and I can imagine some very un-church-like language from them. And finally, would anyone like to buy a fourty thousand dollar dining room table? I think in the end the church will end up with a new B courtesy of the insurance company. I am curious to hear your input though. chris -Christopher D. Purdy R.P.T. School of Music Ohio University Athens OH -purdy@oak.cats.ohiou.edu (740) 593-1656 fax# (740) 593-1429
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