S&S retrofit rails ?

[Delwin D Fandrich]

dale r fox wrote:

> >It is not a terribly difficult task to fit a full Renner stack onto a S&S
> keyframe.  >Those wonderful laminated beech rails make it worth the
> >effort.
> >
> >-- ddf
> >
> >
> But Del,
>
>   Then it wouldn't be a Steinway!!!!! ( I know, it would be better.)
>
>    I've been informed it's a mortal sin to mess with the mystique thing.
> I know cause the local official S&S service guy has told everyone who
> will listen that I ruined a couple at the local museum by putting those
> S&S style Renner replacements on their  A  and B.     Worse,   I put Abel
> hammers on to replace the Japanese rocks previously installed.  And I
> didn't use genuine Steinway key bushing cloth to boot.  I'm a _bad_  boy.
>      BTW,  the people playing concerts on both have nothing but nice to
> say about both pianos.  Too bad I ruined them, huh?
>
> Watch out for the slings and arrows of righteous indignation, oh  you who
> would suggest fooling with the "MYSTIQUE".   Flames anyone?
>
> Dale

--------------------------------------

Dale, et al,

I've been dealing with this problem for some time now.  However, over the past
few years I've noticed a distinct change in the attitude of many piano playing
folks.  They are becoming increasingly interested in how the piano plays and
sounds.  The label on front still means something, of course, but not nearly as
much as it once did.  We actively encourage comparison shopping.

No progress at all has been made with those who simply play around with pianos.

Regards,

Del

PS  Are those two pianos -- the A and the B -- the same ones that our mutual
friend "improved" by "correctly" mounting the plate?

(For those who don't know the background:  A "rebuilder" in Sacramento was
spreading the word about how "poorly" modern Steinways were being built.  In
fact, Steinway production workers had gotten so sloppy that they were no longer
cutting the dowels off that were used to hold their soundboards in.  In his
shop, of course, they always made sure that those dowels were trimmed flush with
the surface of the soundboard.  Made for some interesting sounding pianos.)