<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: medium; FONT-FAMILY: AGaramond Bold"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1251"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1522" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <P> <DIV>Pierre said: " <DIV><FONT size=+0>Joe, I have replaced birdcage dampers a few times because de old ones =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>with</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>de age where getting to hard. (it made a difference)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>So I suppose that when new most of the birdcage pianos had more =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>performing</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>dampers than what we can hear now. (so why not replace these like we =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>change</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>the dampers in modern pianos ?)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>=20</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>Bluthner made beautifull sounding birdcages wich had a much better =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>damping</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>than most other brands. I saw several of those Bluthners and even with =</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>the</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>original dampers they work quite well (not as good as modern dampers but</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>close)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>=20</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>=20</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>=20</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=+0>Pierre,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>I have no problem with replacing the damper felt, as long as it is the CORRECT felt, with the CORRECT fiber orientation.<G> To replace the damper felt with MODERN type is blastphamous in my opinion, as it makes it sound like a "wimpy" modern piano and no longe mimics the "ancient" instruments, which is the intent of the design. This also follows (especially), with Square Grands. In that particular case, you open up a VERY LARGE can of worms!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>I equate the modernization of OverDamper Pianos as trying to make Mason & Hamlin sound/play like a Steinway! (It can be done, but WHY?)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=3>The scaling and the intended overring of the dampers makes music of a different character, especially when they are tuned in a Victorian Temperament!<G></FONT></DIV></DIV> <DIV>Regards,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)</DIV> <DIV>Captain, Tool Police</DIV> <DIV>Squares R I</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <P></P></BODY></HTML>