<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Re: [CAUT] Andres punching tested</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY>    The pear green (and similar white a= nd other color) are certainly firmer than the old “dark green squishy&= #8221; we used to get from APSCO, etc. There are, of course, dark green punc= hings of firmness similar to the pear green as well.     I’d be a little leery of anything very much f= irmer than the pear green. I’d worry about too much key bed boom, as w= ell as the feel of the keys – not enough cushion, hard on the body pla= ying the instrument. There’s a window of “firm but soft” t= hat makes a big difference to the perception of the pianist, along with a si= milar window for key bushings. The “new feel.” I’d be inte= rested to hear about feedback from artists concerning Andre’s punching= s.   Regards, Fred Sturm University of New Mexico On 1/14/05 8:21 AM, "Erwinspiano@aol.com" <Erwinspiano@aol.com= > wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE>  Hi Fred   They are stiffer than anything I've ever encountered & most= ly because it is not a woven cloth but a pressed felt. I've used the pear gr= een & I don't find them any different than any thing else except the col= or is brighter. I'll check it out today with calipers   Dale <BLOCKQUOTE>Is Andre&#821= 7;s punching firmer than Pianotek’s “pear green”? (Which i= s quite similar to Yamaha, etc). Regards, Fred Sturm University of New Mexico     </BLOCKQUOTE>Erwins Pianos = Restorations 4721 Parker Rd. Modesto, Ca 95357 209-577-8397 Rebuilt Steinway , Mason &Hamlin Sales www.Erwinspiano.com </BLOCKQUOTE> </BODY> </HTML>