<HTML>In a message dated 5/28/2003 3:46:53 PM Pacific Standa= rd Time, pianotuna@accesscomm.ca writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT= : 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">If the hammer is checking too h= igh it can impede the vibration of the string. I suppose it is a function of the air being "compressed" in the space between the hammer and the string. </BLOCKQUOTE> Hafta say I ain't buying this. The excursion of the string is so slight that= I can't believe that an object 1/2" away could cause air to offer much impe= dance. I'm willing to bet if I held my thumb 1/2" from the string right abov= e the strike point, no one could tell me when it was there and when it wasn'= t, blindfolded. Sorry I don't have something more positive to offer as an explanation for op= timal checking=louder tone. I'll be watching this space anxiously. Bob D</HTML>