Speculative history of New York sostenuto: 1) Grand piano design is driven by C & A service technicians, who have special interest in concert models. 2) C & A technicians favor the action-mounted rod, for reasons discussed. The tradition is passed on. 3) Since all actions are made in one department, the logical production method is to make all grand actions the same way. 4) With a few shop tools, installation of the action-mounted rod is fast and easy. It also allows easier refinement of dampers, later in the process. 5) Why change now?
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