Piano is a 1920-30's, was a player, Balwin 6'3". Has been on it's side in a storage area, no heat,damp, in Rogersville, MO. When I had it cleaned up and started to tune it was about 100 cents low. At 30 cents low a plate strut cracked. The crack is 1" from the Y junction , between base section and treble, in the member on the treble side. It cracked from the top and the crack is about 3/4 of the way down the member. God! What a terrible sound! What a worse feeling! Other information about the Balwin. Nice strings, no rust, pins were holding, sound board very nice, case fair condition with new finish done in the 70's. Keys nice, action only fair. New hammers. With that where do I go from here? I've dropped the tension and went in the house for a shot of Jack Daniels. Is it worth the effort to try and fix? Should I loosen plate screws and nose bolts? To check for case warpage and plate seating before trying a repair? Help! Richard O. Snelson Associate Member PTG
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