<html> <body> Ron, At 09:47 PM 10/18/2003 +1100, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>At 7:22 PM -0400 18/10/03, Ed Sutton wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>  . . . Within the constraints of the S & S design, there are 3 causes of buzz: poorly shaped capo, capo bruised by rough stringing, capo too soft due to failure to case harden in casting.</blockquote> Plus the fallacious practice of attempting to set the font duplex length to a harmonic of the speaking length.</blockquote> I totally agree with your assessment; and think that this practice has to do with a basic misunderstanding of what the front duplex is supposed to do.  The patent drawings help support this assumption.  I do not remember the patent descriptions sufficiently well to know if they confirm or refute what might be construed from the pictures as being a reinforcing system.  This is further complicated, I think, by the presence of the movable cast front duplexes still seen on so many older S&S pianos. I'm sure that there are others on the list who are much more current with this stuff than myself...maybe they'll speak up. Best. Horace P.S. - Almost forgot, I've heard some very good compliments about an instrument of yours that a friend of mine heard in Syndey...Opera House, maybe?  Good Show!!! hg </body> </html>