<HTML>          Phil          The ribs on the Stein were not thinned down but just a little. It was a pretty bulky looking set of ribs and  vast majority of the soundboards edge was a free float but not in the same way that has been described recently on the list. It just wasn't touching anything but the belly rail and a few inches of the rim near the top rib as I recall.          Somehow I do seem to observe many unique pianos. It's interesting what you can see when you're looking for unusual designs and paying attention.           Dale Erwin        fordpiano@lycos.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj:Re: Stein grand unique board was: Piano Rims. Date:1/3/2002 1:23:53 PM Pacific Standard Time . On Sun, 30 Dec 2001 16:33:24   Erwinspiano wrote: >I recently saw a Charles Fredrick Stein built in >Chicago in the golden years. This piano was 6ft. 3 ish and beautifully >rebuilt and refinished by Bob And Marcia Davis of Stockton Ca.       >       The Original belly system was a clamped edge system only on the belly >rail and near the first highest rib on the curve as I recall. The rest of the >system consisted of the ribs glued on top of the inner rim ( not morticed in >as usual) with the board glued to n the ribs as usual but not to the rim. >Basically a free edge more or less.  Dumfounded was I at the rich sining tone >and broad dynamics. It made me think of your (Dels) description of tonal >range/dynamics in the pp area and the power generated by a strong fundamental >in the forte ranges. No clang and bang just wonderful musical power and >sustain. >    (Bob/Marcia  jump in here and add or correct anything I'm forgetting.) > >            Happy Old/New year to all >            Dale Erwin Dale, You seem to see some interesting pianos.  Were the ribs thinned down at the rim as usual? Phil F </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>