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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I think a well respected piano man many of
us know designed that model, or had much to do with it,. We sold a
few of them at my store in the 70's. It was introduced at a NAMM show as a
revolutionary idea. It was an attempt to improve not only the plate, but the
oversized soundboard. We still have good people who can think "outside the
box", and they give us some great products. I still have high regards for
this man even though this model has had failures. But he is still
held with respect within PTG, and is important to the industry.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Carlos Ralon, RPT</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=wimblees@aol.com href="mailto:wimblees@aol.com">Willem Blees</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> Saturday, October 06, 2007 2:50
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Broken Plate</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV><WBR>If I recall, the plate was designed either by a
airplane engineer, or someone who knew something about airplane design.
It was modeled, I think, after the wings. I guess they thought if
the wings of a plance can hold all that fuel, and still stay up, that same
material should be able withhold the tension of all those strings.
<DIV style="CLEAR: both"><BR>Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT<BR>Piano
Tuner/Technician<BR>Honolulu, HI<BR>Author of <BR>The Business of Piano
Tuning<BR>available from Potter
Press<BR>www.pianotuning.com</DIV><BR><BR>-----Original Message-----<BR>From:
Robert Payne <payne@netcommander.com><BR>To: Pianotech List
<pianotech@ptg.org><BR>Sent: Fri, 5 Oct 2007 2:15 pm<BR>Subject: Re:
Broken Plate<BR><BR>
<DIV id=AOLMsgPart_2_e3c0d20f-c061-4967-a379-f8a438a0bce6>
<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"
target=_blank>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></DIV><!-- end of AOLMsgPart_2_e3c0d20f-c061-4967-a379-f8a438a0bce6 -->
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