<html> <body> Hi Chris,                   A strut of this diameter/cross sectional area. is a tensioning strut.   Stops things from pulling apart.  The plate has been designed very close to the compression limits of the two struts, the added cross tensioning bar is there for insurance. The D also has a wooden tensioning strut connecting the main beams. Remove at tension at your own peril. Cover your butt is in order. Regards Roger At 06:28 PM 3/1/2004, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>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 probably won't hurt anything, Steinway's official stand is that it should not be removed.  The letter states:  "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". 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. <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite> Has anyone ever done this? What effect does it have on stability, tuning, stress loads, etc.?</blockquote> 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. <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite> If it doesn't have any effect, why is it there?</blockquote> 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. chris <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>  Wim Willem Blees, RPT Piano tuner/technician School of Music University of Alabama</blockquote> <pre>-- </pre>Christopher D. Purdy R.P.T.<x-tab>     </x-tab><x-tab>        </x-tab> School of Music, Ohio University<x-tab>        </x-tab><x-tab>        </x-tab> Athens, Ohio  45701<x-tab>     </x-tab><x-tab>        </x-tab><x-tab>        </x-tab> (740) 593-1656 fax (740) 593-1429 purdy@ohiou.edu</blockquote></body> </html>