<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> <html>   Charly Tuner wrote: <blockquote TYPE=CITE>The Steinway tech at the store where I floor tune was in a quandry today regarding a new custom made 9 foot Steinway called the "Rhapsody", to celebrate Geiorge Gershwin's 100th anniversary. The problem: "Scotty, we need MORE power!" I tried it after it was tuned, and it sounded like a small verticle. I speculated that the soundboard had "pancaked" as a result of excessive downbearing, and he concurred! This is possible, since everything else was pretty much ruled out.</blockquote> First of all you need to confirm you have a problem with the board and there are a few things you need to check. Routinely you should run a piece of string across the underside of the board between the ribs in several places to see if you have crown and what kind of crown you have. Secondly even tho you dont have a down bearing gauge with you your eyeball can give you a pretty decent hint, tho if you suspect excessive bearing then to be sure check it with proper tools. <blockquote TYPE=CITE>Regulation is precise.</blockquote> Hmmm... I of course have to take your word on that, but precise is such a floating concept when it concerns grand actions. Its amazing what can be accomplished with tone building by variations on the well regulated action theme.   <blockquote TYPE=CITE>How would one go about REDUCING the downbearing, and hopefully restore the proper/original crown to the SB?</blockquote> I wouldnt get into this at all unless you knew ahead of time all the things you need to know to establish a DB problem to begin with. You are dealing with a like really expensive instrument. Better to call in some outside expertise. <blockquote TYPE=CITE>I have read that DB is determined BEFORE initial stringing.</blockquote> er... thats the idea... grin. <blockquote TYPE=CITE>Could the nosebolts/plate need adjusting?</blockquote> Probably not, and in any case I am not fond of fooling around with nosebolts with string at tension. I know this is done and perhaps there are fellows out there who are truely in the know about this kinda proceedure and can accomplish something positive with it. But thats the point, unless you know, and I mean know how to judge such circumstance and what to about it, then leave it alone until you can get somebody in there who can. <blockquote TYPE=CITE>I assume the first thing to confirm this hypothesis would be to use a DB gauge, but he did not have it with him at the store At the time. Just curious to hear your thoughts. thanks!</blockquote> For sure... you need a good diagnosis before you can prescribe a cure. Brand new Steinway you say ??? Kinda gotta doubt its got soundboard / downbearing problems already,,, but who knows ?? <blockquote TYPE=CITE>  Terry Peterson Los Angeles, CA Associate Member, PTG ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at <a href="http://www.hotmail.com">http://www.hotmail.com</a></blockquote> -- Richard Brekne Associate PTG, N.P.T.F. Bergen, Norway  </html>