Pianotech

This may have been discussed before my time here in this list but has anyone actually removed this screwed on cross brace from the plate (under full tension) for some reason and then successfully reinstalled it? 

Obviously I'm looking for advice as to whether this is recommended or not. A pianist feels the need to have better access to the middle section for some prepared piano stuff (as I understand it).

Any danger in doing so?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

This may have been discussed before my time here in this list but has anyone actually removed this screwed on cross brace from the plate (under full tension) for some reason and then successfully reinstalled it? 

Obviously I'm looking for advice as to whether this is recommended or not. A pianist feels the need to have better access to the middle section for some prepared piano stuff (as I understand it).

Any danger in doing so?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

This may have been discussed before my time here in this list but has anyone actually removed this screwed on cross brace from the plate (under full tension) for some reason and then successfully reinstalled it? 

Obviously I'm looking for advice as to whether this is recommended or not. A pianist feels the need to have better access to the middle section for some prepared piano stuff (as I understand it).

Any danger in doing so?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

This may have been discussed before my time here in this list but has anyone actually removed this screwed on cross brace from the plate (under full tension) for some reason and then successfully reinstalled it? 

Obviously I'm looking for advice as to whether this is recommended or not. A pianist feels the need to have better access to the middle section for some prepared piano stuff (as I understand it).

Any danger in doing so?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

This may have been discussed before my time here in this list but has anyone actually removed this screwed on cross brace from the plate (under full tension) for some reason and then successfully reinstalled it? 

Obviously I'm looking for advice as to whether this is recommended or not. A pianist feels the need to have better access to the middle section for some prepared piano stuff (as I understand it).

Any danger in doing so?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

This may have been discussed before my time here in this list but has anyone actually removed this screwed on cross brace from the plate (under full tension) for some reason and then successfully reinstalled it? 

Obviously I'm looking for advice as to whether this is recommended or not. A pianist feels the need to have better access to the middle section for some prepared piano stuff (as I understand it).

Any danger in doing so?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Original Message:
Sent: 6/15/2024 6:54:00 PM
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Steinway B Cross Brace

This may have been discussed before my time here in this list but has anyone actually removed this screwed on cross brace from the plate (under full tension) for some reason and then successfully reinstalled it? 

Obviously I'm looking for advice as to whether this is recommended or not. A pianist feels the need to have better access to the middle section for some prepared piano stuff (as I understand it).

Any danger in doing so?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

So...in the final analysis it would seem a "safe" thing to do since if ever a serious problem had erupted as a result we doubtlessly would have heard about it. 

Plus, I guess that if it was determined (and spread) that the entire structural integrity of the piano rested on this one little bar...the PR nightmare for Steinway would be "significant".  So I'm thinking it's just fine to take it off. 

Thanks for all the input!

EDIT: I wonder if on any of these models in history that this bar was also conveniently and boldly emblazoned with the company name, etc...?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2024 13:19
From: Nancy Salmon
Subject: Steinway B Cross Brace

Original Message:
Sent: 6/15/2024 6:54:00 PM
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Steinway B Cross Brace

This may have been discussed before my time here in this list but has anyone actually removed this screwed on cross brace from the plate (under full tension) for some reason and then successfully reinstalled it? 

Obviously I'm looking for advice as to whether this is recommended or not. A pianist feels the need to have better access to the middle section for some prepared piano stuff (as I understand it).

Any danger in doing so?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Hi Peter,

I am a bit late to the game here...

Like Horace and others, I too have removed the removable cross braces from numerous Steinway pianos that have them, never with any issues with the piano.

Some time ago, a fellow tech advised me that if, after removing the screws, the removable brace is under tension (end to end, pushing horizontally again the string frame), it is best not to remove it. Presumably, this would be because of difficulty replacing it and/or possible negative effects to the piano from taking it out.

A manufacturer's representative who was in the know once told me off the record that it should not be a problem. (It was at a convention, and there may have been alcohol involved...)

Best,

Alan

So...in the final analysis it would seem a "safe" thing to do since if ever a serious problem had erupted as a result we doubtlessly would have heard about it. 

Plus, I guess that if it was determined (and spread) that the entire structural integrity of the piano rested on this one little bar...the PR nightmare for Steinway would be "significant".  So I'm thinking it's just fine to take it off. 

Thanks for all the input!

EDIT: I wonder if on any of these models in history that this bar was also conveniently and boldly emblazoned with the company name, etc...?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2024 13:19
From: Nancy Salmon
Subject: Steinway B Cross Brace

Original Message:
Sent: 6/15/2024 6:54:00 PM
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Steinway B Cross Brace

This may have been discussed before my time here in this list but has anyone actually removed this screwed on cross brace from the plate (under full tension) for some reason and then successfully reinstalled it? 

Obviously I'm looking for advice as to whether this is recommended or not. A pianist feels the need to have better access to the middle section for some prepared piano stuff (as I understand it).

Any danger in doing so?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

This may have been discussed before my time here in this list but has anyone actually removed this screwed on cross brace from the plate (under full tension) for some reason and then successfully reinstalled it? 

Obviously I'm looking for advice as to whether this is recommended or not. A pianist feels the need to have better access to the middle section for some prepared piano stuff (as I understand it).

Any danger in doing so?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Like most things these plates are over engineered. in other words they don't build them right at the edge of the failure point such that if you remove any one structural item, you're taking a great risk. However, I wouldn't remove it. if nothing else it can destabilize the tuning because tuning stability has a lot to do with plate flex.  That's why pitch raises or pitch lowering don't stay exactly where you put them. Let the prepared piano folks deal with it. I've had so many incidents with prepared Piano fucking something up that I'm not a huge fan. Oops sorry I keep reminding myself not to say fuck in front of the C – H –I – L – D. 

This may have been discussed before my time here in this list but has anyone actually removed this screwed on cross brace from the plate (under full tension) for some reason and then successfully reinstalled it? 

Obviously I'm looking for advice as to whether this is recommended or not. A pianist feels the need to have better access to the middle section for some prepared piano stuff (as I understand it).

Any danger in doing so?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

Like most things these plates are over engineered. in other words they don't build them right at the edge of the failure point such that if you remove any one structural item, you're taking a great risk. However, I wouldn't remove it. if nothing else it can destabilize the tuning because tuning stability has a lot to do with plate flex.  That's why pitch raises or pitch lowering don't stay exactly where you put them. Let the prepared piano folks deal with it. I've had so many incidents with prepared Piano fucking something up that I'm not a huge fan. Oops sorry I keep reminding myself not to say fuck in front of the C – H –I – L – D. 

This may have been discussed before my time here in this list but has anyone actually removed this screwed on cross brace from the plate (under full tension) for some reason and then successfully reinstalled it? 

Obviously I'm looking for advice as to whether this is recommended or not. A pianist feels the need to have better access to the middle section for some prepared piano stuff (as I understand it).

Any danger in doing so?

Peter Grey Piano Doctor