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<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=collin.s@skynet.be =
href="mailto:collin.s@skynet.be">Stéphane
Collin</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> June 05, 2003 10:35 =
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> OT, was Re: Viennese =
Grand
Action Regulation</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>This is a genearl purpose question, =
addressed to
all of you on this list.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Is standardization a good thing =
?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Stéphane =
Collin.</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" =
color=#000080></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#000080>That =
depends. There are
some things within the industry that probably should be, or should =
remain,
standardized. The key headscale width comes to mind. If each =
manufacturer comes
up with his own it would soon drive the pianists crazy. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" =
color=#000080></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#000080>On the other =
hand
the defacto standardization of both action and acoustical design =
has
clearly not been good for the industry. It has severely limited the =
choices
available to the artist who now has only a very narrow range of musical
expressions available. And it has brought a level of design stagnation =
to the
industry that, if the trend is not reversed, will result in it
demise.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" =
color=#000080></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=#000080>Fortunately =
there are
some--albeit few--positive signs. Ron Overs is working on action =
designs. The
magnetically controlled key balance system is at least interesting. And =
there
are a few folks becoming interested in fundamental piano design. If some =
of
these efforts and ideas can come to fruition soon enough there may well =
be hope
for the industry yet.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" =
color=#000080></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" =
color=#000080>Del</FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" =
color=#000080></FONT> </DIV>
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