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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks to all for your quick replies. I'll sleep
better tonight. I'm glad to know that this beast has a fancy name. Strataphonic
String Panel. Steel and fiber board. What were they smoking? I mean thinking.
Anyway, thanks again. I think I found a great name for a '60's garage band. "
THE STRATAPHONICS "</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Blessings to all,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Robert Payne</FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=tomtuner@verizon.net href="mailto:tomtuner@verizon.net">Tom
Driscoll</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, October 05, 2007 6:10
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Broken Plate</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Robert,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> I worked for a dealer that
carried Currier just before they dumped. (1980? ) The sales literature
mentioned an experimental plate,but I never did get to see one.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> This from Pianoworld and "The
Piano Book"</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> <FONT face=Verdana>According
to The Piano Book by Larry fine, in 1981 Currier introduced a Strataphonic
String Panel which was laminated steel and medium density fiberboard. This
replaced the tradional cast iron plate. </FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> <A
href="http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000953;p=0">http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000953;p=0</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This link brings you to a thread on pianoworld
descibing your problem.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> To your question --In my
opinion you did nothing wrong and thank your stars you have an understanding
client.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> This design was perhaps a good
example of well intentioned "Thinking outside the box" but apparently
a failure on more than just this one instrument.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Tom Driscoll</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=payne@netcommander.com href="mailto:payne@netcommander.com">Robert
Payne</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, October 05, 2007 5:05
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Broken Plate</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Greetings to all,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I am a 30 year veteran of our craft but a
newbie to the tech list. I need your help. I have seen broken plates that
were already broken when I got there, but for the first time one broke
during a tuning, ( following a large pitch raise ). The piano was a 20+ year
old Currier Studio that appeared to be in near perfect condition. The
customer said that it hadn't been tuned since it was new. It was around 150
cents flat (maybe as much as 200 in spots). First I pulled it to 440 with no
overpull. After that it was about 50 to 60 cents low. Next I did a normal
pitch raise using the appropriate overpull. After fixing a few strays I was
ready to tune. Just as I was setting the A4 to 440 I heard this tremendous
BAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM ! ! ! I ABOUT HAD A HEART ATTACK. The entire
middle section went completely dead.Of course broken plate was the first
thing that came to mind, but what I found was really strange to me. The
plate appeared to be laminated steel. I have never seen or heard of such a
thing. One of the laminates had separated and was pushing out on the
strings. What can anyone tell me about these laminated plates ? Was this
catastrophe entirely my fault or was there a way to avoid this ? Is it
possible or feasible to attempt a repair ? For future reference, what other
manufacturers have used this kind of plate ?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The customer was extremely gracious and
insisted that it wasn't my fault, but I can't help but feel responsible for
not recognizing the potential danger in attempting such a large pitch raise
on this particular instrument. ( I have successfully raised pitch by that
much many many times during my career.) Anyway, thanks for your input. I'm
looking forward to the verdict.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Robert Payne, Rpt. Dallas
Chapter</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>