[CAUT] Plate Substitution

[John Schaldach]

Does the 'new' plate have accu-just hitch pins?  Someone correct me if I'm
wrong but I don't think Baldwin was using accu-just pins in the 30's.  I'd
be pretty suprised if this turns out to be a new plate.

This may seem a bit unconventional but I don't think that the gaps along
the plate flange are the source of tuning instability.  I've torn down many
pianos that didn't have anywhere near 100% contact along the plate flange
and had no stability problem. I would even propose that it's not possible
to have complete contact between block and flange all year round if there
are strong seasonal humidity fluctuations.  Most pin blocks have a few
dozen stought screws through the plate as well as screws/dowels at both
ends into the rim--these are what keep the pinblock from moving.  Do the
plate screws seem snug?  

Have you done a tuning on the instrument yet?


John Schaldach
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Viterbo University


> [Original Message]
> From: Dempsey Jr., Paul E <dempsey@marshall.edu>
> To: <caut@ptg.org>
> Date: 1/21/2005 11:02:21 AM
> Subject: [CAUT] Plate Substitution
>
> 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
>
>
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