D pinblock separation

[Farrell]

----- Original Message ----- 
>    I have just looked at a Steinway D, 1974 vintage.  There is a step
> between the bottom of the pinblock and the crosspiece( cornice?) it is 
> supposedly
> dowelled to.

Please explain - a step? Are you referring to the stretcher 
(crosspiece/cornice)? You mean the bottom of the pinblock is not at the same 
elevation as the bottom of the stretcher?

> The pinblock and crosspiece are flush with one another at each end,
> with a slow rise across the center.

Again, the crosspiece is the stretcher? What rises - the pinblock? Did you 
check for straightness? Do you know that the bottom of the stretcher isn't 
convex and the pinblock is planar?

> All original, pins are tight, seems
> stable. A few dead bass strings, but the sounding structure seemed good.
> However, I wonder how the block could have done this, under the plate, 
> unless the
> plate bolts are loose, or the plate is bending.

Did you run a straight-edge along the top of the plate at the stretcher? 
Better yet, run a straight-edge along the bottom of the pinblock.

> The potential buyers are
> considering a new action, but will have reservations about more repair 
> than that, at
> this time.
>      Anybody live around a piano with this condition and if so, any 
> problems
> showing up?  I didn't touch any plate bolts or screws, so can't say if 
> they
> are loose or not.
> thanks,
>
> Ed Foote RPT

Sounds like some wierd stuff here - check to see whether the stretcher is 
deformed or the pinblock - if someone cut a crooked stretcher - maybe who 
cares then?

Terry Farrell