St§Ûphane, et al I cannot begin to address the questions you raise. There was a time when piano manufacturers were the innovators of the piano business. I got in on the tail end of that era, but it is not the same today. Many piano manufacturer do not even make any pretense of having an R&D department. My work consists of whipping out designs that can be built immediately, unincumbered by multiple prototype building. Much of the industry would not understand what you are talking about in reference to R&D or prototypes. I don't dare to do anything innovative that would require testing and proving. There is no patience for that. I envy those of you who have the luxury of testing new and innovative ideas. These days, that seems to be limited to rebuilders, who own their own businesses and answer to nobody but their customers. It is nonexistant in piano manufacturing, at least within the scope of my experience. Frank Emerson pianoguru at earthlink.net
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