<HTML><BODY><DIV style='font-family: "Verdana"; font-size: 10pt;'><DIV> <DIV>I might have discovered another, more efficient way to level strings. Perhaps someone has done this in the past, but I don't think I've ever heard it before. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I use Mother <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">Goose's</SPAN></SPAN> string level gauge. At the <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">Steinway</SPAN></SPAN> factory, we were told to set it sideways for the notes next to the struts, since the gauge doesn't fit on this strings the regular way.  Although this methods assures that the strings are all on one plane, it doesn't assure that the strings are straight across. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Today, as I was leveling the strings on a <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">Steinway</SPAN></SPAN>, I got to thinking how I could make sure those strings are level, a<SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">nd</SPAN></SPAN> I came up with a way, to not only make sure those strings are level, but can also be used to do all the strings.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>To tap strings, I use a key tail brass clamping bar. If any of you know how to attach ivory tails, you'll know what I mean. It's a brass bar, 4" x 1/2" x 3/16", a<SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">nd</SPAN></SPAN> perfectly straight. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>What I did was lay that bar across the strings, behi<SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">nd</SPAN></SPAN> the dampers, a<SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">nd</SPAN></SPAN> put it across the note next to the strut. When I played the note, I could tell right away if one of the strings was lower than the other. I did this on all four notes next to struts. I fou<SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">nd</SPAN></SPAN> that I could not only tell if one or two strings was not level, but I fou<SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">nd</SPAN></SPAN> some, where all three strings were not on the same plane as the notes next to it. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I had a little difficulty, because there wasn't enough weight on the brass bar to give me a good reading. So I put just a little pressure on the bar. But it was a little awkward to put pressure on the bar, a<SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">nd</SPAN></SPAN> pluck the <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">string</SPAN></SPAN>, while holding down the note. (I did use the <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">sostonuto</SPAN></SPAN> bar a little later). As I was <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">retuning</SPAN></SPAN> those notes, I was <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">thinking</SPAN></SPAN> what I could use to add a little weight, when it hit me: use the dampers as weight. </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>So here is the tip of the day. To level strings, take a key tail clamp bar, a<SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">nd</SPAN></SPAN> put it under the back of a group of dampers. Play the note you want to<SPAN class=correction id=""> w</SPAN>ork on, a<SPAN class=correction id="">nd</SPAN> you'll hear if the strings needs to be leveled. Pluck the<SPAN class=correction id=""> s</SPAN>trings, and you'll discover which one. Sometimes you'll discover that all three strings have to be raised. (In case you don't want to do that, use the bubble <SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">gauge</SPAN></SPAN> to see if the strings are level, even though the three strings are not on the same plane as the rest of the strings, and leave them alone). </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=correction id=""><SPAN class=correction id="">Wim</SPAN></SPAN></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>