<html> <body> I'd have to concur here.  Some of the finest pianos don't use aluminum.  There is a definite action noise issue that aluminum rails transmit all too well.  Carl Sauter uses engineered wood for their grand rails.  I'll have to get in with the servicing tech.s next time so I can look at more actions.  The ones I did see didn't use aluminum. I've traced excessive action noise to aluminum rails on my affordable Chinese pianos.  Now, how do you dampen that noise? Andrew Anderson, Artisan Piano At 12:07 AM 1/24/2007, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Rob, thanks for the interesting report on your trip to the NAMM show.    One small item that I would to add a different opinion about is the question of action rail material.  I don't think that extruded aluminum action rails are necessarily superior to wooden ones in their various forms, e.g. laminated.  Aluminum can have its problems as well, such as stripped flange screw holes, unwanted noise and perhaps other issues. It doesn't surprise me that to my knowledge (which is almost never up to date) of the say 10 finest piano brands, a minority are using aluminum action rails. ..ducking for cover.... Jurgen Goering Piano Forte Supply (250) 754-2440 info@pianofortesupply.com <a href="http://www.pianofortesupply.com"> http://www.pianofortesupply.com</a> Rob Goodale wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite=""> .... The only critique I have, (and a relatively mild one), were the action rails.  The hammer rail was wood.  Being the old stand-by design there isn't anything inherently bad about this but I would have expected the more stable aluminum as with most modern designs.  The wippen rail was aluminum but with a maple core.  Better, but I would hope to see these items improved....</blockquote> </blockquote></x-html></blockquote></body> </html>