<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> <html> <head> <meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"> </head> <body bgcolor="#ffffff" text="#000000"> Hi Isaac. I wish something from the major suppliers was available too. Even if it was "special order," at least we'd know it was available. I checked with Steinway yesterday about the cost of the mahogany lyre sticks...$84 for unfinished and $176 for finished. Anyone know if the finished have anything besides some lacquer on them? Let's say I got unfinished from Steinway or someone else, is finishing merely a matter of spraying lacquer on the sticks? FYI...I've decided that the best repair is to replace the sticks with wood, whether it be turned or dowels. After looking at the inserts in the sticks, it would create a weak point that would probably break fairly quickly. The insert idea could be made to work (possibly), but you'd need threaded rod several inches into the wood to make it strong enough. Not very practical. Thanks, John Isaac Sadigursky wrote: <blockquote cite="midE1F1HZT-00083P-6q@elasmtp-kukur.atl.sa.earthlink.net" type="cite"> <pre wrap="">Hi,John! The idea of adjustable lyre sticks was used by Mason & Hamlin/Aeolian products in the 60-70 th production.. Still,didn't work as well as wood.BTW,Mason & Hamlin nomenclature called wooden lyre sticks :Monkeytails",they worked great,very solid.. Since we are still on the subject of lyre braces:I wish our suppliers will make those available to us in Steinway,Baldwin and Mason & Hamlin styles in 3 colors and un-finished Best wishes.. Hope to see a lot of familiar faces in Los Angeles at the California State Convention. It's going to be a great one!!! </pre> </blockquote> </body> </html>