Interesting dilemna

[Jon Page]

I'm in the bearing-setting stage of restringing a mid '20's S&S M.
Original block, going to 4/0 pins, new agraffes.

I am accustomed to shimming underneath the plate felt on the bass and low tenor
near the hitch pins. I've even had occasion to shim the duplex scales.

Before I unstring it, a bearing check (with a thread/spot strings removed) 
showed
minimal bearing with a trace in the high bass and none in the high treble.

The nose bolts were a little high because the plate lifted when I removed 
the rim bolts.
I lowered them and reset to touch upon reinstallation.

However, I'm between a rock and going for coffee right now. The duplex in 
the high
tenor has mega bearing. 5mm near the bass strut and 3mm on the treble end. The
bearing is fine in through the bass and very beginning of the tenor bridge.
The first and second treble sections taper from 3mm to 0mm.

Here's my question: Would I be better off to shim the tenor duplex this 
drastic amount
or crank the nose bolts up to the needed height or a combination of the two.

My concern with raising the nose bolts aside from placing stress on the 
plate is the
bearing in the high bass, it's nice now and wasn't before.

RH in the shop is 49%.

I think I'll get the coffee whilst I ponder this more,
(any excuse to take a break)

Anxiously awaiting your input,
Jon Page,   piano technician
Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass.
mailto:jonpage@mediaone.net
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