Subject: Time: 10:12 AM OFFICE MEMO Re Inner/outer rim separation Date: 11/7/95 I unintentionally deleted the original post about the Samick-made piano whose inner/outer rim sepearted in several areas. I will give my response without any parts of the original included: Though cause for concern, the separation of the inner/outer rim probably does not have an adverse affect on the structural integrity of the rim. Unlike Steinway, who molds the inner rim with the outer at the same time in one huge press, most manufacturers (and probably Samick) construct an inner rim separate from the outer rim. In the production process, the inner is fit with the belly of the piano -- board and bridges, pin block, and plate -- bearing is set, and then the piano is strung and brought up to pitch. The outer rim is attached later to provide a base for the lid, music desk, stretcher, etc. The advantage to using this construction procedure is that it is easier to get at the various parts of the belly withou having to work around an outer rim, and the risk of marring the outside veneer of the case during the belly operation is avoided. Obviously the manufacturers who use this technique feel that the inner rim is strong in and of itself to support the tension of a fully strung piano. The outer rim, as I said before, is not considered essential to the structural integrity of the piano. Ken Sloane, Oberlin Conservatory
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