[pianotech] plate breakage

[Ken & Pat Gerler]

James,
Yours has been the "most logical" approach so far.  Seeing the variety of pianos with plates that have broken (I didn't mention variations I had), there is no way you can say there is a "brand" or "manufacturer" that had a problem.  Years ago when Bill Brandom was with Everett in Michigan, he told me that they expected about one piano in a thousand would have plate problems - I had one.  I just recently had the opportunity to service a 3/4 plate Wm. Knabe upright. You could see where the pin block was coming apart around the bolts holding the pin block to the back, so I advised I would tune it "were it was" and we would watch it. 

Ken Gerler
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: James Johnson 
  To: l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net ; pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 10:30 AM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] plate breakage


  Yes, I always explain that plate breakage is a possibility and that they are accepting responsibility if it happens.  I also explain that out of thousands of pitch raises, it's never happened to me. I do everything possible to minimize the risk, but I know it exists.  I explain that my warning is like the dentist that has them sign a waiver incase they die in his chair.  If we thought the risk was that great, we'd never go to the dentist.  I think we do need to use good judgement about the pianos that we do pitch raise.  If the piano shows obvious signs of deteriation, just don't attempt to raise it. With a fairly new piano, there's not much we can do but issue our disclaimer before we pitch raise.  I just know that when it does happen to me, it will be the one time I forget to discuss it with my customer.
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Leslie Bartlett 
    To: pianotech at ptg.org 
    Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 6:59 AM
    Subject: [pianotech] plate breakage


    Do you who have had troubles with this (others too) tell customers about the significant possibility of string breakage and plate breakage before starting a pitch raise?
    les bartlett
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