<html> <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Hi Bill,</blockquote>            Some random thought's interspersed. <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>ā= ‚¬ there are some things which are basic to the nature of bechsteins and that piano in particular.  those are things that will never change no matter what.  however, within those limits, there's a lot that can be done. </blockquote> I am assuming that the lady is refering to the Chamber like quality of the tone.  This I would agree with. <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>ā= ‚¬ it takes a LOT of effort to make a big sound.  partly this is voicing, partly action regulation, partly brightness.  on the whole, the piano could use substantially greater brightness all over.  more "ping" in the sound. less "dying away" and much more "sustain" in the sound.  i would like it to be much easier to get a full, bright, singing sound out of the instrument. i would rather have to work hard to play softly than to work hard to play loud.  the former takes control and thought, the later takes muscular effort with this piano, and it's exhausting. </blockquote> The biggest bang for the buck will be lifting the strings to increase sustain and projection. Ops, it's a Bechstein   <Grin> Oh! those funny agraffes..   Take a hammer shank and massage down ward where the string leaves the agraffe, to form a clean termination point.  If the forward bar is badly grooved, this is where you can have a big tonal loss, plus a lot of unwanted noise. Take a hammer shank, or bridge pin set punch and tap all bridge pins. Do a good pitch raise and fine tuning, listening to each string and fine adjust any weak termination points. Fit hammers and level strings. <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>ā= ‚¬ i want the action to be first of all more even across the board--a complete regulation would fix this--</blockquote> Generally agree, but the improved sustain may alter her perception. <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>but = also to be a tad more resistant.  it feels a little bit flabby playing that piano, like the keys go down too quickly.  the action is a tad too light. </blockquote> If the key bushing are worn at the balance rail,  insert an awl behind the pin and flex it forward to get it out of the cup, this will help add a little friction, and make the keys feel more secure, same goes for the front guide pins. <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>&nbs= p;generally, bechsteins are noted for having light actions--but this one is pretty extreme. </blockquote> <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>ā= ‚¬ the dampers and pedals need fine-tuning.  they do not damp evenly and precisely.  also, they don't lift evenly or, i believe, high enough off the strings when the damper pedal is depressed.  for the damper pedal, there should be a tiny, tiny bit of "dead" space (before it engages the dampers), then the possibility of raising the dampers to different heights off the strings to the maximum allowable height.  the pedal seems like it's either on or off w/o any in-between possible." </blockquote> Sound as if some major timing and triming is needed. Hope this gives you a starting point, more information is needed for more thoughts. You may want to think in terms of an aggressive tuning stretch.  But tuning debates is not my thing Bill. Regards Roger <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin <a href="http://www.billbremmer.com/">Click here: -=w w w . b i l l b r = e m m e r . c o m =-</a> </blockquote> <x-sigsep></x-sigsep> Roger</html>