Hi Andrew I suppose a successful court challenge of the type you mention would perhaps force some movement. Especially if you can catch a manufacturer in slipping out an instrument which does not meet its own public specifications for what is acceptable. Another approach, again assuming things are as bad as the picture drawn by some in the states, would be for a few of you all to get together and put together an article series in the Journal documenting these claims. My point here is tho that for rebuilders with an obvious vulnerability in being potentially perceived as agenda oriented, it seems to me that the type of posting I express concern about is counterproductive at very best. Is say this as a person sincerely interested in seeing the fine workmanship I saw in Rochester by our panel of rebuilders/builders gain accept in the buying community. Ron Overs just contributed a post that I think exemplifies extremely well a far better approach. His posting was dispassionate, factual, and where opinion was stated there was no doubt about it. Nor was there any doubt that his opinions were carefully weighed by his experience and knowledge. This kind of thing sinks in deep, creates a lasting impression and gives pause for thought that perhaps is far more productive in terms of gaining accept for ones views. Great post Ron btw. Cheers RicB Ric, How about court-filings to force S&S NY to honor its warranty against defect in workmanship? We are approaching that here in Texas. There is an S&S D here where the plate/string height is well above Steinway's 1/4" wide acceptable range. The dealer tech. broke a number of drop screw heads off trying to get the hammers a little closer to the strings on drop. They are claiming that this is not a warranty issue in any way and apparently trying to drag things out until the short warranty runs out. They build a piano with a lot of potential, it is painful though, to encounter one where it is still-born from the factory and the factory categorically refuses to accept any responsibility to find and accomplish a solution beyond sending free action shims. While action shimming may debate-ably be an acceptable solution installing them and regulating is part of the solution that they will have to accept too. Andrew Anderson
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