Repin or Reblock?

[Wippen@aol.com]

Les Smoth wrote:

>A careful examination of the pinblock reveals no signs of >cracking or
de-lamination.

How can you say with any certaintly that there is no internal problems with
this block?

>When the piano was rebuilt, it was repinned with 4's, 2 3/8" >long. The easy
solution for me would be to repin it again using >5's or 6's once we have the
humidity problem under control.
>(snip) or don't 5's and 6's have any place in a fine
>quality piano?

Les,
I would have to go with replacing the block AND seeing to a solution to the
humidity problems you outlined, in spite of the time constraints. Using 5's
or 6's  would be a waste of time and money if it turned out that there is a
delamination or internal crack after all. Also, I have a tough time
justifying this type of repair in a quality instrument.

Paul Dempsey
Marshall University
wippen@aol.com