<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; =
-khtml-line-break: after-white-space; ">Hi Greg,<DIV><BR =
class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>As I've always said, if the =
piano can be made better, then so be it. I am happy there are people =
experimenting with new ideas, and they should be encouraged. However, I =
can answer your question of "Why should anyone of us be satisfied with =
what was when we have the capability to do so very much =
more?":</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>There =
are those, such as myself, that are simply not quick to jump on the =
bandwagon of change - not because we're inflexible, but because we're =
patient and haven't been convinced that the "improvements" being =
presented are undeniable improvements. Some or many of the changes =
I've read on the list have not be tested enough against the accumulated =
knowledge of musicians and technicians to have any kind of confident =
stance that the change is musically better. I myself, as a pianist, have =
specific concerns for some of these changes.</DIV><DIV><BR =
class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Experiment away, but with =
humility and respect for those who love what presently =
exists.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>I =
also do not believe you should be dismissing Franz Mohr's position so =
*confidently*. Not to suggest he is the wisest of piano people, but =
rather, as if you suggest that you know all that he knows and can =
therefore judge his error without fear of your own error (what you don't =
know can always change your viewpoint!). No one should be arrogantly =
assuming that everyone in the piano industry who does not believe in =
change is dismiss-able.</DIV><DIV><BR =
class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>In the end, it is =
undeniable that pianos exist using "old" designs that are beautiful and =
amazingly satisfying. If some of the people building new designs would =
acknowledge this regularly your cause would probably meet less =
resistance.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>-- =
John<BR><DIV><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"></BLOCKQUOTE><DIV><FONT =
class="Apple-style-span" color="#0000DD"><BR =
class="khtml-block-placeholder"></FONT></DIV><BR><BLOCKQUOTE =
type="cite"><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Horace,</DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; "><SPAN class="Apple-converted-space"> =
</SPAN>This is all well and good and you are certainly correct in that =
there is much art in what we do. Still, the talking heads as you so =
brashly put it, have a great deal to say of some vital importance which =
will take the venerable piano well into the future in as much if not =
more of a beloved state than it already is with us. Why should any of us =
be "satisfied" with what was when we have the capability to do so very =
much more. This is where I take exception with the honored Franz Moor =
and why I left the meeting when it broke for a gratis dinner given by =
the local dealer. There are, perhaps, things that should be kept and not =
fussed with from the by gone era (though I can't think of any of them =
off hand) but where we can make it better why on earth wouldn't we? =
Because of a name plate or decal on the fallboard? Where would Chevy, =
Pontiac, Olds, Ford, Chrysler or Dodge be today if there weren't =
backyard tinkerers or even large shops who thought they could add =
something to the overall product? Wouldn't it be considered a plus if =
soundboard, ribset, bridge placement, and stringing scale were enhanced =
so as to offer a product that needed no demonstrable heroics in voicing? =
Wouldn't it be considered a plus to have a predictable action setup so =
as to have a reliable touch and speed of repetition that didn't need a =
great deal of tweaking even from the factory delivery? Wouldn't it also =
be great to find alternatives and perhaps even better performing =
materials that wouldn't unduly deplete old growth forests raping the =
land of anything for the future? Well, I think you would all agree that =
these are positive things. Franz is of an era to be sure. Much of what =
he has to share is entertaining. I have difficulty with the posturing =
that his generation has made an instrument we all cherish the best it =
can ever be. In my mind improvement is ALWAYS possible and =
desired.</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">best,</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; =
margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; =
">Greg</DIV><DIV style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; =
margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; min-height: 14px; "><BR></DIV><DIV =
style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; =
margin-left: 0px; ">P.S. and not once did I denigrate or call anyone any =
names ...</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><FONT class="Apple-style-span" =
color="#0000DD"></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>=