<HTML>In a message dated 1/3/03 10:31:37 PM Central Standard Time, Bigeartb@aol.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">List:     Lately I noticed a great deal of 'excessive play' when I placed my tuning hammer on all....all tuning pins. I decided my #2 Star head was worn and replaced it with a new one. Upon extreme close inspection I found two small hair line cracks in the #2 Star head. Therefore extreme sponginess in my tuning hammer caused me great problems.     I only post this to let others know the Star head can break. I wondered why in the heck it was taking me so long to 'set' the pins. In retrospect I've decided if I can tune a Steinway D for concert with a broken Star head, I must really be good!!!      Spongy tuning hammer? Check the Star head. Tommy Black </BLOCKQUOTE> Tommy I've had the same problem. Maybe it comes from setting the pin too hard. I guess  the lesson is not to set the pin too hard. That way, we'll be called back to tune the piano more often. What a way to build a business. (I'm kidding, guys.) Wim </HTML>