<html> <body> At 06:49 AM 5/7/2005, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">I am of quite a different opinion. The conical punching we are very happy to promote, is NOT made of pressed felt, but purely 'felted' felt made in the Wurzen factory. </blockquote> Andre, Whether technically correct terminology, what Mr. Stanwood was referring to was the contrasting properties of pressed or felted wool as opposed to woven and felted wool, as is commonly used for front punchings and back key rails.  Mr. Stanwood has not questioned the tonal issue, nor do I - I am waiting to do that myself.  What he is questioning is the stability of shape and density over many years of heavy use. It is common to submit action cloth to pounding tests to simulate years of playing.  If you have had this test done, it would be good to hear the results from you.  If you have not done this test, may I recommend that you do so?  It may be correct that this felt is so well intermeshed in the felting process that the horizontal woven fibers are not needed, but then, without some kind of comparison testing it is difficult to say for certain. If no testing has been done yet, then it would be helpful for this to be done.  A wonderful accuracy of regulation is not such a big benefit if it changes rapidly under use. Another way to test this would be for a music school to alternate punchings in a practice room piano.  Regulate for very even dip / aftertouch, then compare the key dip again after a year of heavy use. Please do not misunderstand my post - I am not at all critical of these punchings, but like Mr. Stanwood I have had the concern that they would become deformed with heavy use more quickly than a woven punching. Don Mannino RPT </body> </html>