<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Re: [CAUT] Agraff levels</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> Hi Lawrence, all,     I am re-posting a picture of a home made string level I posted a year or two ago. It solves the “next to the strut” problem in most cases (sometimes the strut is actually over a string or two of the unison, in which case you are out of luck). I like this design better than Joe’s (copied from Fazioli’s) anyway, because it puts the level where I can see it without leaning, and I can grab it and move it more easily. I should say I copied my design, more or less, from Terry Otake, one of the Shigeru MPAs.     Two pieces of 1/4” or 3/8” brass stock for the bass, a couple lengths of 1/8” brass rod for uprights, a wood base on top for a level sawn from a pocket clip level. Very easy to make, and it doesn’t take much work to calibrate it (adjusting the wood on the brass rods until you get the same level reading in both directions on a level surface. Then CA to freeze in place).     I like to use a home made string hook: dowel with a piece of music wire, music wire wrapped twice and german-knotted, kinked at the end. Works nicely for getting into any tight spot (think St D between dampers and capo), and for keeping hold of the string (I have trouble with the Mannino hook letting go of the string sometimes). The kinked end is also used to pluck the string. This produces a lower amplitude pluck, which I find gives a more sensitive result. There is also added efficiency: same tool in same hand both lifting strings and plucking them.     I do lightly support my level with a finger or two while plucking, to damp any wobbling. Regards, Fred Sturm University of New Mexico On 7/20/06 6:40 AM, "Becker, Lawrence (beckerlr)" <BECKERLR@UCMAIL.UC.EDU> wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE>Joe- I have a way that works for me to use your bubble gauge near the struts and where there isn’t room between the dampers and v-bar.  I use a short section of flat brass that has been squared at both ends.  Stand it upright on the strings just in front of the damper, with the bottom of the level in solid contact with the top of the brass piece.  I center the bubble, then pluck the strings.  (Different than sitting the gauge on the strings and seeing where the bubble goes.)  Trying to hold both pieces in one hand might feel a little fumbly at first, but if I can do it, so can most other folks. Lawrence Becker, RPT Piano Technician College-Conservatory of Music University of Cincinnati </BLOCKQUOTE> </BODY> </HTML>