[CAUT] Steinway selection

[David Love]

I think it depends.  A compression crowned belly that comes out of the
factory too stiff can open up and blossom over time and a few seasonal
swings.  One that doesn't crown up well and comes out a bit loose and flabby
just tends to just get worse.  One that comes out just right doesn't tend to
stay there forever.  One things seems certain, over time they don't get
stiffer.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com

-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Douglas E. Wood
Sent: Friday, February 18, 2011 8:12 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Steinway selection

My misunderstanding. Though my (not always reliable) memory is of far more
bellies opening up in a good way over the first few years, than in a
negative way. One notable D finally came fully into its own nearly 12 years
in.! Of course I do live where the humidity changes are relatively few and
small. And I do know that hostile environments CAN diminish a good belly
pretty fast...

But then there is the problem of anticipating the maturation of the piano.
That's not a trivial skill, either. But it is learnable.

Doug