Hi, Keith, I don't think this unfelted keyframe stop block is an accident. I have seen a number of older Steinways without a felt, and those pianos were in such a condition that I was convinced it was originally so. It wasn't really noisy in normal operation. Also, not only is it easier to keep the keyframe in the same position, it's a better choice technically, whether you leave it unfelted or shave the stop block to accomodate felt. There is a "best" position for the frame, where the capstans, wippens, knuckles, hammers, strings, and damper lifters all line up as well as possible, and assuming this was set up correctly originally, realigning parts would be an unnecessary compromise. Bob Davis
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