<HTML><BODY><DIV style='font-family: "Verdana"; font-size: 10pt;'><DIV> <DIV>Ron, thanks for your response.  As the School of <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">Music's</SPAN></SPAN> <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">saftey</SPAN></SPAN> officer, I'll just have to insist that as the piano technician I don't take any unnecessary chances.  If anyone wants me to justify this caution, I'll show '<SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">em</SPAN></SPAN> this post from a highly respected colleague who knows much more about these matters than I do.  Thanks again!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Alan <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">Eder</SPAN></SPAN> , <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">RPT</SPAN></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=correction></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=correction>P. S. Even if the small wrapped strings don't break at +50 cents, do you think they could undergo some irreversible distortion capable of leaving th<SPAN class=correction id="">em</SPAN> sounding less good than prior to being tensioned so highly once they are returned to "standard" pitch?</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=correction></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=correction><SPAN class=correction id="">ae</SPAN></SPAN></DIV> <BR> <DIV class=AOLPlainTextBody id=AOLMsgPart_0_7e24071b-d227-432e-92e7-5d94bbb4d547> <BR>> If something IS going to be off limits, I have to be able to back up > the restriction with hard facts. I for one do not want to take even the > slightest risk of a plate giving up the ghost in my face.  <BR>Me either, but the hard facts are that you don't know for sure until you try. Odds are, you'll get away with it, but can you tell how <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">overbuilt</SPAN></SPAN> the plate is by looking at it? <BR> <BR>>Is plate > damage the greatest risk involved in this +50 scenario? Nothing > irreversible (or even short term) happens to the strings or other > components?  <BR>The plain wire will likely be fine, unless C-8 has over a 55mm speaking length. The potential probl<SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">em</SPAN></SPAN> will be in the small wrapped strings that are already well over 60% of their breaking strength at 440. It might be just fine in some pianos, and damaging in others. Again, odds are it will probably be fine, but do you know the margin you have to work with? And who takes the responsibility for guessing wrong? <BR> <BR>Ron N <BR></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>