<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1251"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2600.0" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <P> <DIV>I've floor tuned about 24 new pianos this year, my first show room experience since about 1992 or '93.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>My impression is very positive; the quality seems much better than 12 years ago.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>For example, current Chinese pianos are much easier to work with than, say, a Kimball "La Petite" or</DIV> <DIV>those wretched mini-grands Baldwin was making in the early 90's.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>And speaking of Baldwin, I can hardly believe my words.... they are much better than the 1990's production.  It looks like Gibson is really trying to make a real piano company out of Baldwin.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Mason & Hamlin is a delight, and Petrof is very good, really getting where they should have been.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I think we should try to be less curmudgeonly about new pianos!  Even Chinese pianos.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Optimistically (but with flame suit nearby).</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Ed Sutton</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <P></P></BODY></HTML>