<html> <body> Ron N 'n Ron O I'll venture to ask these questions, even if the answers are obvious to those more experienced. Do you think that the results obtained using the pre-load method are (or can be)  equivalent to the method you describe? Is there a significant advantage to your method?   Is there a way you factor in differences in panel flexibility?  What are stringing pillows? RonN - I know you said you "have" employed this method, which I interpret to mean you may use others as well.  Is this accurate? David Skolnik At 07:51 PM 10/17/2004 +1000, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>A nominal stringing-pillow height is assigned to each sample note prior to setting the height of the adjustable blocks. These stringing pillow heights are varied slightly to fine tune the downbearing before the piano is strung. We don't wedge the board down to pre-load it prior to setting the bridge height/down bearing. Since the downbearing loads are quantifiable, it is possible to predict the sound board drop when under load. The desired final down bearing angle, and the loss of angle predicted under down bearing load are added together to arrive at an unstrung initial down bearing setting for each point. Ron O. <pre>-- </pre> OVERS PIANOS - SYDNEY   Grand piano manufacturers ________________________ Web:    <a href="http://www.overspianos.com.au/" eudora="autourl">http://www.overspianos.com.au</a> Email: <a href="mailto:ron@overspianos.com.au" eudora="autourl">mailto:ron@overspianos.com.au</a> ________________________</blockquote></body> </html>