<html><head><style type='text/css'>p { margin: 0; }</style></head><body><div style='font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; color: #000000'><br>While the harm has been done, I strongly suggest that many of us write letters to the editor of the NYTimes, and make our own opinions known about the relative worth of pianos in our local arenas as well.<br><div><span name="x"></span><br><br>Anne Acker<br>Historic Keyboard Specialist<br>Anne Acker Early Keyboards<br>http://www.anneackerkeyboards.com<br>http://www.pianogrands.com<br><br>mobile 912-704-3048<span name="x"></span><br></div><br><hr id="zwchr"><b>From: </b>"Brent Fischer" <brent.fischer@yahoo.com><br><b>To: </b>caut@ptg.org<br><b>Sent: </b>Wednesday, August 1, 2012 5:48:40 PM<br><b>Subject: </b>Re: [CAUT] The demise of the American piano industry<br><br><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:tahoma, new york, times, serif;font-size:10pt"><div>Mr. Bousel,</div><div>   With all due respect Aaron I don't consider my opinion a minority one.</div><div>Secondly, who made Mr. Fine's instrument acumen the " last word " or</div><div>his analysis the " bible " of the industry.  As the last of the greatest</div><div>American made pianos fade into the sunset there will be even the </div><div>occasional Mason and Hamlin growing daises in  your local dump. The</div><div>comparison that Fine makes with the Chinese industry would leave the</div><div>laymen believing that they are just as well made as the original specs</div><div>of pianos that were light years ahead of anything made in China.</div><div><br></div><div>    It all starts with the carcass, just have to compare and contrast with</div><div>specs that have been historically superior.  There has never been a foreign </div><div>made piano anywhere that could hold it's own on stage with a Baldwin or</div><div>Mason much less a Steinway. I don't categorize the Hamburg as foreign.</div><div><br></div><div>    Final comment:  The last time I drove over Fine's book with my truck</div><div>was when he made his biblical judgement that European instruments </div><div>are as good as our currently US made Steinways.</div><div>Like I said, he's not our spokesman.</div><div> </div> <div style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: tahoma, 'new york', times, serif; "> <div style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; "> <div dir="ltr"> <font size="2" face="Arial"> <hr size="1"> </font></div><br> </div> </div> </div></div></body></html>