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<div>Several years ago we had a pianist that helped herself to
removing this bar. I was furious and we had a huge argument
about it, nearly resulting in her refusing to perform. I later
contacted Steinway about this and now have a letter in my files,
signed by Michael Mohr, stating that this should not be done.
While his unofficial position was that it<i> probably</i> won't hurt
anything, Steinway's official stand is that it should not be removed.
The letter states:</div>
<div><br></div>
<div> "Although removing the strut is occasionally
practiced, the plate can be structurally damaged if this strut is
under compression which upon its removal may allow for the plate
structure to shift under the tension of the strings".</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>I make it very clear in my written policy for prepared piano use
that it will not be removed. No, it probably will not cause a
problem but it would be a very expensive repair if it did. </div>
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<blockquote type="cite" cite><br></blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>Has anyone ever done this? What effect
does it have on stability, tuning, stress loads, etc.?</blockquote>
<div><br></div>
<div>I did not notice any effect on the tuning when it happened.
In this case, it was easy enough to remove so there could not have
been any tension or compression on it. I have heard of technicians
routinely removing it to make damper replacement easier. </div>
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<blockquote type="cite" cite> If it doesn't have any effect,
why is it there?</blockquote>
<div><br>
I can't remember if it was Michael Mohr or someone els that told me
that the strut is there to somehow stabilize the plate and tension
when tilting and moving the piano. </div>
<div><br></div>
<div>chris<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>Wim</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><font face="Arial" size="-1">Willem
Blees, RPT<br>
Piano tuner/technician<br>
School of Music<br>
University of Alabama</font></blockquote>
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<div><font face="Helvetica" size="+2" color="#000000"><b>Christopher
D. Purdy R.P.T.<x-tab>
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<div><font face="Helvetica" size="+2" color="#000000">School of Music,
Ohio University<x-tab>
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</x-tab></font></div>
<div><font face="Helvetica" size="+2" color="#000000">Athens, Ohio
45701<x-tab>
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<div><font face="Helvetica" size="+2" color="#000000"><b>(740)
593-1656</b></font></div>
<div><font face="Helvetica" size="+2" color="#000000">fax (740)
593-1429</font></div>
<div><font face="Helvetica" size="+2"
color="#000000">purdy@ohiou.edu</font></div>
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