Hi guys... Thanks for the advices... and sorry to have not gotten back to you all.... been very busy with the early fall season. Adding mass to the bridge on this instrument is not an option so I cant go there even if I wanted to.... even if it was the obvious solution.... piano mystic you know. Loosening the bell was what I was after.... whether or not there was any likelyhood an over tightening could have a detrimental affect on the tone as described. Daniels comments as to how much the factory tightens to begin with is something I've heard before.... but I have no official word from Steinway. Its often difficult info on exactly what is really done.... the people you talk to are never the people who do the job. Discussions here on the general subject indicate that the bells real function is to mass couple the plate to the rim.... a plate stiffness issue as I understand it. However if the plate in the area is capable of actually being pulled down enough to significantly affect downbearing without cracking then perhaps this might be at least in part some of the problem.... this was on my mind at any rate. Any more thoughts would be appreciated.... and again... hope you all had a great summer ! Cheers RicB
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