Gregor and Ric, Thanks very much for those thoughts. On this particular Z, soft or weak IS the right term for the bass sound! But it didn't sound to me at at all like a hammer problem. I need to get back and have a look down below and a longer listen and think. I was hesitant at mentioning it to the cistomer, and did so just as I was leaving, as he had commented on how much beter it was sounding (always nice!), and when I remarked on the bass sound, he almost pounced on my words and said affirmatively "Yes! It's always sounded like that!". I guess the previous tuner never said anything, The customer was particularly interested in what the value might be, so I don't know if he is thinking of selling. Ron N, I enjoyed your comments about not being fooled, by an end-hinged top lid, into thinking it's a grand!. I have a customer with a Feurich upright which also has an end-hinged lid, but instead of a removable hinge-pin, it has two very solid brass hinges with brass dowels which plop and slide beautifully into bushed holes in the side panel. Lovely piano, reeks quality and craftsmanship. Thanks again all, David. "I don´t think that there is anything wrong with the bass bridge. I have some customers with a Steinway Z and I am always nerved when I have to tune these beasts. The bass is nearly not tunable due to great inharmonicity. I am not shure if soft or weak are the propper terms to describe the bass sound, but the bass sounds awful anyway on every Z I know. This model Z was nothing that Steinway can be proud of. Rather embarrasing for Steinway to put their name on these pianos. The usual price for a Z is here between 9.000 and 12.500 US Dollar. Concerning the hinge pin: I always remove these pianos from the wall and apply some grease to it. So it´s easier to pull it out the next time. Gregor" "I guess my take on these instruments from Steinway is that they are what they are and I dont worry much about them. Steinway themselves freely admit that they make these instruments purely for the customer who wants something with the Steinway and Sons name on it but dont have the finances to cover a large grand. Otherwize, Steinways design priorities and resultant default acoustic response picture is just what it is... I dont have to like it or not. Its not my piano, its the customers. If a customer is disatisfied with the sound of any particular instrument I simply tell them what I believe can be or not accomplished within reasonable costs, and advise them to consider purchasing a new instrument if the one they have doesnt do it for them. I dont really get much into telling a customer what they should or should not like acoustically anymore. Thats not my place if you get my meaning. I can offer some help and insights in helping a customer find something that they like... but it is the customer who needs to make the choice... not me. Cheers RicB"
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