<div>On 8/27/07, <a href="mailto:A440A@aol.com">A440A@aol.com</a> <<a href="mailto:A440A@aol.com">A440A@aol.com</a>> wrote: <blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid">Joel writes: <<  My situation is a grand that is new, but has been in storage 2 years and will likely remain there another 3 or more. I'm wondering what happens to the felt bushings?<<       The moment arm between the two sides of the hammer flanges is not only shorter,(hence, providing gravity with more leverage), than from the pin to the knuckle,(which is supporting the weight of the hammer and shank), but the entire weight is bearing on the two bushings.  Normally, the weight is bearing on the bushings and the jack.  This would seem to increase the distortion of the flange bushings.  However,  I took care of several road pianos that traveled many thousands of miles, in a semi trailer, on their sides, and I never found any evidence that the bushings were compromised.  Surprised me! >>Is there any relief  for the weight of the hammer on the bushings?>>        You could set the piano up,(or take the action out), and clamp a padded rail above and below the hammers, fastening it securely to the action brackets.  this would keep the weight from being applied to the bushings.  I don't know if it would make any difference, though. Ed Foote RPT <a href="http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html">http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html </a> <a href="http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html">www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html</a> ************************************** Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at <a href="http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour">http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour</a></HTML> </blockquote></div> I would also have a concern about the key bushings since all of the new grands I have seen arrive, usually have a rectangular piece of wood under the keys at the front of the action between the underside of the naturals and the keyframe. It's usually wide enough to lift the keys a little, I have seen some where it had been slid in between the front rail pins for the naturals and the front rail pins for the sharps. -- Michael Magness Magness Piano Service 608-786-4404 <a href="http://www.IFixPianos.com">www.IFixPianos.com</a> email <a href="mailto:mike@ifixpianos.com">mike@ifixpianos.com</a>