<HTML>In a message dated 11/15/01 2:05:34 PM Central Standard Time, ATKINSD@cedarville.edu writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Charles, Some claim that the middle of the piano gets used the most so, the punchings in that area will compress more over time with the added use. Look at it as a preventative setting. Doug Atkins Registered Piano Technician Cedarville University </BLOCKQUOTE> I know that is the generally regarded as reason for the crown in the keyboard. But if that were the case, all keyboards that were not crowned would be sagging. And I just don't see that in enough pianos to believe the story.  Furthermore, I see a crown in 50 - 75 year old Steinways. When is it supposed to flatten out? There's got to be another reason. Anyone? Wim </HTML>