<HTML>In a message dated 7/18/02 12:21:27 AM !!!First Boot!!!, mathstar@salemnet.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">All this discussion of bolstering hammer knuckles begs the question: Is it worth doing on Brambach/Francis Bacon style knuckles, or should I follow my original inclination which is to save up the necessary shekels to replace the shanks, knuckles and hammers (which are otherwise in pretty good shape. Hammers obviously not originals. Ivories obviously are and in good shape. Any experience or thoughts on this piano much appreciated. Market value? I paid $800. </BLOCKQUOTE> If the hammers and centers are in good condition, the pearl shaped knuckles last longer than the round ones. B<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">y-the-way, stripping the old finish has revealed a very, very dark and closely grained wood I've not seen in a piano. Could it be a dark walnut or really dark mahogany? </BLOCKQUOTE> If it brown, it's walnut. If it has a reddish tint to it, it's mahogany. Wim A<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">lan </XMP> </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>