Hello all, Yesterday I examined a 9' Baldwin Concert Grand circa 1936 that was partially rebuilt six to eight years ago. The history related to me by the owner was that the original plate was broken somehow and the rebuilder substituted a new SD-10 plate. I could find no modifications in the bridges or anywhere else for that matter. The complaint from the owners is that the instrument will not stay in tune even for a few days. The piano got a new pinblock but the block/plate flange fit is not the best. There are areas of solid contact all along the flange length, separated by areas where there are considerable gaps. Not good. The piano did not get a new soundboard or bridges (lots and lots of hairline cracks) and there are a number of repaired cracks and some new ones as well in the SB. There is down bearing on the bridges but I did not check the crown, although I am skeptical about that. There is also what appears to be a separation in the rim in the bentside curve. I don't think this is a factor in the instability. Clearly, this piano needs a new soundboard, bridges and a new pinblock but I'm wondering to what extent the plate substitution is evolved. Comments, thoughts and ideas invited. Paul E. Dempsey, RPT Piano Technician Sr. Marshall University Huntington, WV
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC