Broken Plate

[Tom Driscoll]

Robert,
    I worked for a dealer that carried Currier just before they dumped. (1980? ) The sales literature mentioned an experimental plate,but I never did get to see one.
    This from Pianoworld and "The Piano Book"
    
    According to The Piano Book by Larry fine, in 1981 Currier introduced a Strataphonic String Panel which was laminated steel and medium density fiberboard. This replaced the tradional cast iron plate. 
    
    http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000953;p=0
    
This link brings you to a thread on pianoworld descibing your problem.
    To your question --In my opinion you did nothing wrong and thank your stars you have an understanding client.
    This design was perhaps a good example of well intentioned "Thinking outside the box" but apparently  a failure on more than just this one instrument.
    Tom Driscoll
    
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Robert Payne 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Friday, October 05, 2007 5:05 PM
  Subject: Broken Plate


  Greetings to all,
  I am a 30 year veteran of our craft but a newbie to the tech list. I need your help. I have seen broken plates that were already broken when I got there, but for the first time one broke during a tuning, ( following a large pitch raise ). The piano was a 20+ year old Currier Studio that appeared to be in near perfect condition. The customer said that it hadn't been tuned since it was new. It was around 150 cents flat (maybe as much as 200 in spots). First I pulled it to 440 with no overpull. After that it was about 50 to 60 cents low. Next I did a normal pitch raise using the appropriate overpull. After fixing a few strays I was ready to tune. Just as I was setting the A4 to 440 I heard this tremendous BAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM ! ! ! I  ABOUT HAD A HEART ATTACK. The entire middle section went completely dead.Of course broken plate was the first thing that came to mind, but what I found was really strange to me. The plate appeared to be laminated steel. I have never seen or heard of such a thing. One of the laminates had separated and was pushing out on the strings. What can anyone tell me about these laminated plates ? Was this catastrophe entirely my fault or was there a way to avoid this ? Is it possible or feasible to attempt a repair ? For future reference, what other manufacturers have used this kind of plate ?
  The customer was extremely gracious and insisted that it wasn't my fault, but I can't help but feel responsible for not recognizing the potential danger in attempting such a large pitch raise on this particular instrument. ( I have successfully raised pitch by that much many many times during my career.) Anyway, thanks for your input. I'm looking forward to the verdict.

  Robert Payne, Rpt.   Dallas Chapter
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