Is there inherently any difference between improved versions of grand actions? I know that a new Bechstein or Walter action may well play better than your average new Samick or Bergman - but isn't a lot of that inferior materials, glues, manufacturing, etc.? Take two divergent actions from similar sized pianos - a Walter and a Bergman. Now give both actions to the Willis & David Snyder shop & David Stanwood. Let them replace any parts they want and optimize all they will. Now I realize the Bergman action will still seem bad when it is placed into the Bergman cavity - but let's just assume that Del Fandrich (or whoever) works all kinds of magic and somehow reproduced a Walter-like grand belly within the Bergman frame (ok, ok, just stretching it a bit, but this is an action question - use your imagination). Now you are putting these two actions into similar pianos. Can they both play to a similar potential? I hope this doesn't sound like too goofy a question. I guess I'm asking whether a Young Chang (or whatever generally viewed lower quality action) can be made to play as well as any good quality action (neglecting the difference in pianos - which I fully realize can dramatically affect the way an action performs)? Does this make any sense? Perhaps I am asking "besides material quality, design, manufacturing, etc. (and the piano it is installed in), is there anything else (magical?) about an action that makes one superior to another one? I have heard before - "Well, Mrs. Pianobuyer, that piano is not a Steenburger, and it will never play like a Steenburger." Is that because the seller does not know how to do it? Does not think it is worth the money to do it? Or that it can't be done? Inquiring minds want to know. Thanks for any thoughts. Terry Farrell
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