Hi gang, I bought a new S&S L a shot of vodka today to shrink a set of jack flange bushings. Very nice piano, terrific sound. While I was running the hair dryer, and having nothing more interesting to do, I got to looking the action over and noticed a couple of things that were new to me. First, the action rails aren't held in place with huge gobs of solder like they used to be. The TARs fit in the brackets like they were pressed into holes broached to the same shape as the rail. There is no obvious filler. Though the joint is probably sweat soldered, it's a snug fit and the solder doesn't show. How long have they been doing this? It's very clean, and looks like the end, forever, of broken joints. Also, I notice that the mysteriously buff tinted hide glue they used to glue the hammers on has been replaced by a milky white stuff that looks for all the world like PVA, but without the giant spun collars evident in other makes using PVA. Footprints of Kawai guys? Steinway glops this stuff on just like they glopped on the hide glue, and to the same effect; a good solid glue joint. Just because this is the first time I've noticed this doesn't mean they haven't been doing it for some time so, how far behind am I? How long HAVE these changes been in effect? Incidentally, I checked, and the monkey didn't glow in the dark. Maybe it wasn't genuine. Ron
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