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<P align=left>Yes, once. It was a Kohler & Campbell=
console. The plate was obviously put in the frame crooked=
and under tremendous tension. You can make a plate fit the=
frame with a strong enough power tool. It was clearly=
defective. You do remember those, however!</P>
<P align=left>dave</P>
<P align=left><BR>Why don't we ask the List if anyone has had a=
plate crack during a pitch raise. I've been working=
on pianos for 30 years and it has never happened to=
me. </P>
<P align=left>David I.</P>
<P align=left><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial=
size=2 PTSIZE="10" FAMILY="SANSSERIF"></FONT></FONT> </P>
<P align=left><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial=
size=2 PTSIZE="10" FAMILY="SANSSERIF">----- Original message=
----------------------------------------><BR>From: <<A=
href="mailto:Alpha88x@aol.com">Alpha88x@aol.com</A>><BR>To:=
<<A=
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A>><BR>Rec=
eived: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 11:18:18 EST<BR>Subject: Re: A-440 and=
Ethics.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face=Arial=
size=2 PTSIZE="10" FAMILY="SANSSERIF"><BR>Greetings,=
<BR><BR> &n=
bsp; Usually, when I get a tuning call, it is a piano which=
hasn't been kept up the tunings on. I always ask how long since=
it was last tuned. They usually don't know.. especially if they=
have taken in an "orphan"=
piano.<BR><BR> &n=
bsp; I do not like to raise the A4 pitch on any=
piano more than say 1/4 a tone or so, if it's been neglectd=
tunings. This is because I don't want to run the risk of=
cracking anyone's harp plate, let alone breaking strings.=
Especially on the little spinets, whose plates are 5/8" or less=
thick.<BR><BR> &n=
bsp; When I get to the house, I check the=
A-440 and it's octaves and get an idea of the overall tone of=
the piano; whrere it went flat the most. I always explain the=
concept of A-440 to the customer, and more times than not, it=
doesnt matter to them if its up to A-440 or not.=
<BR><BR> &n=
bsp; They just would like it in tune with itself. I also explain=
that pianos are designed to be tuned to A-440 for best results.=
(unless it is an extremely old, dry upright that's seen better=
days and wont let you even gradually take it up that far, even=
with subsequent tunings/loose pins or bridges coming off) I tune=
it the best I can get it, to sound at the A-4?? and suggest=
subsequent tunings so we can gradually get it there. They agree=
to a reminder card from me for follow ups ....say, 4 to 6 mo for=
the first follow-up. I also inform them that with each tuning=
the piano becomes more stable and to never let a piano go more=
than 2 years=
max.<BR><BR> &nbs=
p; On hearing these pianos, they are so, so neglected and out of=
tune, the piano <I>always</I> sounds better upon my departure,=
and thats all alot of folks want in order to start the kid's=
lessons, without paying "an arm and a leg". With customers=
who are more vigilant of how their piano sounds is another=
matter.<BR><BR> &=
nbsp; My tuning teacher used to say "As long as it sounds a lot=
better when you leave than from when you arrived".=
<BR><BR>Julia, <BR>Reading, PA</FONT> </FONT></P></BODY></HTML>