Hi All,  There seems to be some confusion about my posting regarding
the cracked/split pin block. So I've drawn up a nice color picture to
look at. I've attached it to this letter so it can be put into the
Archives. I've also put it up at my web site:

    http://www.player-care.com/gifs/splitbl2.gif


The picture is drawn to scale (as best I could).  Each lamination is
about 3/16" thick. Although I can't see to count, I believe there are a
total of six or seven laminations.

The question remains:

Could something as severe as this happen within less than 3 years all
by itself?

Note: the laminations are not bowed (like in warping) and the bottom
lamination has a crack in line with a tuning pin.

Musically,

John A. Tuttle