<HTML>In a message dated 2/7/02 7:13:31 PM Central Standard Time, baldyam@sk.sympatico.ca writes: Thanks to all who responded to my inquiry. I need to point out that I did not replace the hammers shanks and flanges. That was done by my predecessor about 5 years ago. Several things about that. First of all, they are not Steinway parts. Second, I had to rehang all the hammers, because it was a very poor job of hanging in the first place. Third, after I had them all hung correctly, I had to take them all off again the shape the tails. Roger suggested, <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">With the old model O's, I would also advise, removing the wippens, cleaning the repition spring slots, and springs. It never ceases to amaze me how much it narrows the DW-UW spread, as well as evening out the friction numbers. Regards Roger</BLOCKQUOTE> I did that too. As a matter of fact, I do this on all action reconditioning. What I have not done yet is check the key lead situation. One thing you have to understand is that this is a practice room piano, so fixing the problem is not a priority. I might not be able to get to it until this summer. And I only had one student complain. When I went in to tune the piano yesterday, the student I kicked out of the room told me it was the only piano she likes to play on, now that I have fixed it. So go figure. Wim </HTML>