<html> Terry, This is normal for these pianos, and does not affect tuning stability at all.  This is because hard plate bushings were used, and the pull of the strings bears against the plate, causing the tuning pins to push back on the pinblock, towards the pianist. When there are no tuning pin bushings, the fit the flange is important, of course. Don Mannino RPT At 12:51 PM 8/9/01 -0400, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Hi folks - inspected a Yamaha 1983 G-5 gray market. Nice piano, but I am able to insert two business cards between the pinblock and the flange for 90% of its length. Is this common in this piano; are there any known problems associated with it; has anyone noticed tuning stability problems with this piano? Thanks - Terry Farrell</blockquote></html>