et al; As I continue to watch this discussion re: S&S quality/consistency/value, the main feeling I am getting is that we expect more from S&S than perhaps we do from other marques. Is this possible?? Is the fact that S&S is what we 'tend' to judge other pianos 'from', a factor in our sometimes adamant feelings about some peccadillo or 'grande' peccadillo we find in these thingees???? Complaints have been raised about no research or changes in S&S........ and while certainly not setting the research facilities burning the midnight oil S&S has made changes over the years......to convince yourself of this just think about the things they have tried......how many "new" hammers have they introduced in the last fourty years?? How many new dimension, or new material, action parts have they introduced in the last 50 years?? What other manufacturer has tried a different solution to the balance rail ala the ubiquitous "accelerated action" quonset huts.........I could go on but you get the idea...don't you??? Perhaps S&S does not meet our own indidvidual expectations and when we run across an example that really 'SUCKS' as a musical instrument it just galls us all out of proportion......... Is that because we have never seen another brand of piano that "SUCKS" just as bad??? .........or is it because we expect more from S&S?????????? The average production S&S as delivered to a dealer, before personal attention is given them by a decent technician, are some of the worst pianos I have ever seen....I am speaking of action/keys/dampers as well as fit and finish of the cabinet. However those same thingees, given the attention they require, are among the best out there today..........pricey little buggers too!!? Are the S&S thingees as good as they can be???? Well they can certainly be made to be better in some opinions but than they ain't S&S are they? No answers from me y'all just some scattered thoughts....... Jim Bryant (FL)
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