Thanks for sharing Keith. I ALWAYS check hinge pins before opening the lid on a grand that is new to me, but I have to admit to blindly opening lids on pianos that I see frequently. I will be more observant in the future. I don't usually go over to the flat side of the piano to visually check hinges, but rather open the lid an inch or so and give it a wiggle left and right to see if there is any looseness - but I'll do that on EVERY lid EVERY time from now on! How did things turn out? Was the lid in good condition prior to your adventure - and how much damage was inflicted? Terry Farrell On Dec 4, 2010, at 12:53 PM, Mr. Mac's wrote: > Dear List, > > An incident happened today I felt worthy of sharing. > > A harpsichord that I have tuned at a minimum of twice a year for > easily 30+ years was, once again, tuned by me again this morning for > a special event. > > Lo and behold, someone had removed all four (4) of the hinge pins. > Never before has this ever happened. > > Needless to say, I was quite surprised to watch AND listen (in > somewhat anguish) the lid slide off the instrument into the > conductor's stand ... into the platform ... onto the floor. The Fine > Arts Secretary, who happened to be in the auditorium at the time > says, "Are you okay?" To wit I replied, "Yes. Someone removed the > hinge pins. Do you know where they are?" > > "No" was her reply. Looking everywhere I could suspect they might > be, they were nowhere to be found. > > Moral: > Don't become familiar with your work. Check every single time before > lifting a lid on any instrument to verify there are, in fact, hinge > pins inserted in the hinges, and defer a similar experience. > > Sincerely, > > Keith McGavern, RPT
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