plate bolts

[Barb Richmond]

It was such a nice way to start the week.  First thing Monday morning I
was at a local high school preparing to tune a Japanese grand.  As usual,
I was checking that the plate bolts were snug, when Bam!--one broke (down
the throat where the threads start.  (This is a first for me!)  Gee, I'm
not the bionic woman; I wasn't using much force.  Ah, now, what to do?  I
noticed that there is already a hole (from manufacture?) close to the
scene of the crime much like the bolt hole.  Should I send a bolt down
it?  How long should it be?  Should I replace the others--for fear of
their being defective also?  I sent a note to the manufacturer's service
rep, but he must be out of the office (the piano is out of warranty or
very close to being so).  Since things have been a bit slow on Pianotech,
I thought I'd ask your opinions.  Thanks.

Barbara Richmond
Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington, Illinois
brichmon@titan.iwu.edu


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         When rehearsing Handel's MESSIAH, Sir Thomas Beecham said
          to the choir, "When we sing, 'All we like sheep have
            gone astray,' might we please have a little more
              *regret* and a little less *satisfaction*??"

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