<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 5.50.4522.1800" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hello Folks,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>    I thank those of you = who have contacted me with questions about the new grand piano lids we are = providing to the trade via a new subsidiary company, Vintage Case Parts. Before I = proceed I wish to emphatically stress that I do not wish to have this = correspondence appear commercial in nature. The point is to answer a number of recently = asked questions about the product in one letter.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>    Original Steinway = toplids quite often self destruct due to the ravages of time, with splitting lumber = core and flaking veneer posing difficult challenges for quality restoration work. = Ours units are replacement toplids for Steinway grand pianos exhibiting these = problems. We will tool up for Mason & Hamlin and other original manufacturers shortly. Currently we are finishing up the Steinway model = roster, with the A-3 and D getting perfected at the CAD stage at this point. = Suffice it to say there is considerable digital work and CNC tool-up for a project = of this scope. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>    The lids are made of = highest quality MDF with crossbanded face veneers top and bottom. Identical- = species solid lumber is inlayed around the perimeter approximately 3" = deep and across the long hinge mortise. Thus a "mahogany" lid (for example) has = solid visible mahogany at the edge all the way around. These inlays are = mitered often around the curvature of the lid to achieve no end grain runout, much = like the fit of the original veneer atop the outer rim. There is no veneer to = loosen, the top simply will not warp or split, and all hinge screws/case buttons will have hardwood to bite into, <U>not</U> the MDF. = The lids are provided unfinished in maple (for ebony), mahogany, walnut, as well = as figured maple, rosewood, you name it.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>    The product is, as-original, 3/4" thick, and yes, is a bit heavier than the = original equipment. The edge detail is identical to the one Steinway used from = the late 1800s until the advent of the "ogee age". We will tool up for this = iteration shortly.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>    Our "norm" will be = to manufacture product on an as-ordered basis and ship within 4 weeks. = Vintage Case Parts provides a shipping crate for a nominal additional fee. Shipping = (motor freight) is, of course, paid by the customer. For those who have never = fitted a new lid to a piano, we provide thorough user-friendly, step-by-step = instructions to eliminate confusion and frustration.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>    Additionally, we are = now producing Steinway rounded-front music desk frame end panels. = Often the original panels have self destructed at the extremities due to = overloading of the music desk. Repair of these panels can be difficult to make entirely invisible, and the situation is worsened when lumber is = completely missing. Our panels come with the mortise on the inside edge of each = panel to accept the rectangular-shaped back rail, and the "bow tie" mortise on = the underside which accepts the fluted, contoured front rail which = holds the sheet music. Like the original units, these end panels will need to be = fine-fit to the interior dimension of the outer rim and the tracks on which the = frame rides. If original dimensions are provided, Vintage Case Parts will = plane and dado the ends of the new panels at a modest additional cost. As with the = lids, these panels will be available in all veneers. These products will be inventoried and ready for immediate shipment.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>    I thank you for the = opportunity to explain a few details and trust I have not abused the intended forum = of the PTG tech list.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>    = Respectfully,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>    David G. Hughes, RPT</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>    Vintage Case = Parts</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>    </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>    </FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV></BODY></HTML>