Steinway

[Joel Rappaport]

Dear Mike and Stephen:
Thanks so much for the official word.  It is a real pleasure to have you
available online.
Now, can someone correct your Home Page Factory Tour description where
it still reads that graphite is smeared on the plate and the worker
removes pinblock material where the graphite DOES NOT appear.  There is
no telling how many budding young rebuilders might read that when
attempting to fit their first pinblock and actually follow that
procedure because it comes "From On High!"
Again, thanks for your input.  Hope all is pleasant in New York.....
Best regards----Joel

swinfo@g2g.com wrote:
>
> Dear List,
>
> Sorry that we have taken so long to add our comments on this topic.  I'm pretty
> sure the clocks around here move slower than in the outside world.
>
> The official Steinway response is this:  It has been our experience that
> removing the bar does not create a problem if it can be taken out with a medium
> amount of force.  Basically, what Don McKechnie sayed.
>
> Obviously if the bar seems to be under compression it would be bowed and we
> would recommend that the tension be decreased before removing the bar.  This,
> however, would be the exception.
>
> The factory initially fits each bar by filing etc., prior to stringing.  After
> stringing and basic chipping it is reinstalled by the stringer.  The damper men
> also remove and reinstall it.  There never seems to be a problem due to a
> shifting of the plate during the manufacturing process at the factory.
>
> So, if the bar comes out without much hesitation, you're safe.  If not, don't do
> it without removing tension.  By the way, you're on your own if the plate
> cracks. ;)
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Mike Mohr
> Stephen Dove