<HTML><HTML>In a message dated 4/2/2006 2:25:31 PM Central Standard Time, absolutepiano@comcast.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">We finished a Bechstein this year and went through the effort of removing all the agraffes for a complete overhaul. I wish I could say for sure that our work on the agraffes contributed to an improved tone, but in all honesty I can only assume. But I feel good about it and they sure look purdy. I don't keep mine in order, do you really feel it helps?</BLOCKQUOTE> Jude: Bechstein's are fun, aren't they, with the thick agraffes up in the treble? One of the research projects we may undertake here at The Chicago School for Piano Technology under the research management of David Carpenter who is our Research Manager (among other things) is some analysis of the effect of the shaping work we have done on agraffes. We'll let you know the results. We do keep them in order, but that's just our normal anal nature. Whether is really makes that much of a difference is up for grabs. Thanks for your comments. Paul</HTML>