<html> <body> At 11:00 AM 12/24/2006, David Skolnik wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">The wire dimensions would be useful.  The Steinway looks thicker, though that might be an illusion. </blockquote> It isn't an illusion. The Steinway wire is .115" thick, the Tokiwa is .099"... <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> Still, the comparative wire characteristics would be interesting.  I wonder what, if any, functional difference there would be between these, which are installed at 90 degrees, then bent, verses the older style of angled installation.  For one thing, I think it alters the discussion about removing them or increasing the height.  I don't think you can effectively use hammer removing pliers directly under the heads with this type of wire configuration.  They would work in conjunction with a second gripping too, positioned at the wire bend. Its easy to see why changing out these checks would solve your problem, without resorting to tail roughing or weakening springs.</blockquote> Yes. Especially since tail roughing and spring weakening did not help much...  ;-) <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Nice camera work.  Maybe we can talk to Sherry (of "We did something wrong" fame) , over there in Tuscaloosa to get you in to take some pictures while aWim's away skiing-not in Denver.</blockquote> Hmm... I got rid of my lighting equipment when I quit commercial photography years ago - and without it I couldn't do much better than Wim in Tuscaloosa... It would take some fancy lighting to get a good shot of what Wim tried to picture. In contrast, to get a good shot of a few backchecks all it took was a sheet of very white paper and a desk lamp. And some cropping in Photoshop. But thanks for the compliment anyway... And thanks for the analysis and the insight. Israel Stein</body> </html>