Now here is an interesting thought

[RicB]

Terry..

Here are 3 more pics to show a bit of what you were asking. The 
stretcher ( I assume you mean the peice of wood thats in front of the 
pinblock) is removed yes. The front edge of the pinblock looks like this..

http://www.pianostemmer.no/pics/bluthner/pic2c.jpg
http://www.pianostemmer.no/pics/bluthner/pic3c.jpg


And the treble part of the soundboard morticed into the rim.. Heres a 
pic taken during teardown showing exactly how it fits into the rim. It 
also shows the moulding that was nailed down to hold the bent side of 
the soundboard down halfway removed

http://www.pianostemmer.no/pics/bluthner/pic1c.jpg

Ric...