Most plates transfer very little of the string load to the rim and/or belly rail assembly. In the Steinway design -- and others that are structurally similar -- there is some amount of stress transferred to the belly brace system, but it's still not very much. The way the belly braces in these designs converge on the point between the bass/tenor break gives them more than enough strength to support any additional string load that might be imposed on them by rescaling. It is those plate designs that do not transfer any of the string load to the rim assembly that I'd worry about. -- ddf -------------------------------------- Daleboy@aol.com wrote: > Dear Gordon and list, > I would be hesitant to add any additional stress to a support structure > that is likely to have been under built in it's creation at the factory years > ago. You may get an improved tone.......but at what costs? So far all of the > concerns have been mainly whether or not you will break the plate. In my > opinion more emphasis should be placed on the question of whether the wood > structure supporting the plate will remain stable. The stress of unloading and > subsequently loading the piano by rebuilding can cause this piano to be > unstable anyhow due to under engineering factory specs aside from the > additional 2k or so lbs. The stability of tuning may be compromised in the > long haul as well. Humble opinions.... > Regards, > Dale Whitehead, RPT > Franklin Piano Restorations
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