Grand Touch

[Andrew and Rebeca Anderson]

Hi Ric,
I just got back from summer NAMM where my wife and I were really 
impressed with the new Sterling action.  When they, Geneva 
International, said "Repetition..." my wife decided to put it to the 
test.  One of her favorites is Katchaturian's Toccata which she can't 
play the way she hears it in her head because all other pianos have 
choked on the repetition section (a real head-ache for me...).  The 
Sterling action kept up with her without any distress much to her 
delight.  I think it feels subtly different but she was not deterred by it.

I note that we can order Petrof's with a Renner action or as 
"Renner-Petrof" actions--Renner components assembled in the Petrof 
factory.  Imadegawa hammers are standard, Abel or Renner hammers are 
special order (did I hear Renner Blue?).

Now when you mention uneven hammer shank bushings and pinning, which 
action(s) does this problem occur in?  Are they actually doing the 
bushings in the Petrof assembled Renner actions?  Felt replacement 
makes sense.  Fixing balance-hole depth is a pain, apparently they 
are working on that.

I'd appreciate your comments as we are considering this make to round 
out our line at the store a bit.  What do you think of Schimmel 
comparatively?  It was hard to assess the pianos due to the proximity 
of the bass and electric guitars at summer NAMM.

Thanks,
Andrew Anderson


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It frequently takes more than one ugly fact to slay a beautiful theory.
--Chad Orzel