<html> <body> Mike, <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">It is also my understanding that if the plate breaks because of a pitch raise/correction then there was  most likely a defect in the plate, is that not true??</blockquote> Usually, yes. <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Is a new student's progress hampered by a flat piano?</blockquote> IMO, yes. They're not only learning to push down a key, they're also learning to hear. Hopefully! I once did a pitch raise of about a minor third and when I "finally" got through and the high school girl played it, she said, "It sounds so different, now I'm going to have to learn all my pieces over again!" <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Mike Mike McCoy Langhorne, Pa <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">           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. </blockquote></blockquote> Julia, if it's going to "get there" it can do it all at the same time. Granted, one might have to be careful about overpull, with appropriate warnings about possible broken strings,  but if it's going to get to A-440, it can do it all at once (2-3 times over, of course.:-) <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">          On hearing these pianos, they are so, so neglected and out of tune, the piano always sounds better upon my departure, and thats all a lot of folks want in order to start the kid's lessons, without paying "an arm and a leg".  </blockquote></blockquote> I just can't agree with this. I understand that some people might not be able to afford a pitch raise, but I believe it's extremely important for a piano to be at correct pitch. Most (I know, not all!) teachers pianos are and it can cause confusion with a young child when the teacher's piano doesn't sound like the one at home! <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">With customers who are more vigilant of how their piano sounds is another matter.</blockquote></blockquote> That's the kind of customer I like! :-) The others, I tend to want to "give away" to someone else! <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">          My tuning teacher used to say "As long as it sounds a lot better when you leave than from when you arrived". </blockquote></blockquote> Yes. But only to a point! <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""><blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Julia, Reading, PA</blockquote></blockquote> Avery </body> </html>