<HTML>In a message dated 2/3/01 1:59:37 PM Central Standard Time, RIrvingbas@AOL.COM writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">This leads me to a question for the list as a whole. Since the best of the modern string instruments (violins, basses, etc.) stack up very favorably with the best of the old makers, do you all feel that pianos compare the same way? We asume that the instruments are in tip top shape for purposes of comparison. What do you all think? Ray Irving </BLOCKQUOTE> If a piano manufacturer takes the time and money to produce a well made instrument, I think it could stack up to some of the older models. But if the pianos is made by inexperienced factory workers, using inferior parts and bad equipment, the end result will show. I think you could probably say thing about string instruments. Willem </XMP> </HTML>