<HTML><HEAD> <META charset=US-ASCII http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; cha= rset=US-ASCII"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2600.0" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #fffff= f"> <DIV>The pianos that are "stationed" by Steinway at their own Steinway Hall = for the rental use by Steinway artists are referred to as Artists Stock or C= &A or Concert department pianos. These pianos also live in various commu= nities all over the world and are housed and maintained by the local Steinwa= y dealer.  They are kept regulated and voiced by either the techs at St= einway Hall or by the local dealer technician.  However they may be tun= ed at the particular concert location by any tuner that is hired by the conc= ert venue to do the work.  Many independant techs do this in cities all= over the country and worldwide.  Once they have been designated as suc= h they are given a number which is usually put on the center of the front li= d and also onto the plate.  They are replaced about every 5-6 years.&nb= sp; So the constant roar of "older Steinways are better" is certainly questi= onable when you realize that virtually all concert and recording work done i= s always done on very new pianos.  TP</DIV></BODY></HTML>