Thanks for all the suggestions for fixing this problem. Also the discussion about the significance of the outer rim in the structural integrity of the piano has been interesting. Just for the record, I spoke with Richard Elrod at Samick today and asked him how they were built. He has been to the Samick factory and reported that the inner rim/belly assembly was assembled, strung, and chipped before the outer rim was glued on. He also mentioned that he had worked at a grand factory years ago and that was the way all the grands were assembled. Regardless of how a factory assembled the rim structuree, one would expect the outer rim to add some support. Don Mannino mentioned that perhaps the inner and outer rims could be screwed as well as glued together. In a luan structure, I don't believe that screws would be of any value. The outer rim is too thin for screws of any diameter to have much holding power. The only way I can see a mechanical fastener being effective would be to bolt through both rims. In the right setting this might even be attractive. Can't you just picture a pretty, little black grand with chrome plated studs around the rim? Of course, the lady wears leathers and rides a Harley. Thanks again for all the advice and help solving this problem. Paul Stephens
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