A few months ago, Pete Knobloch had a Duo-Art problem which we thought may
have been an expression box adjustment.  He shipped me that box and I took
a look at it, regulated it, and sent it back.  However, the degree it was
"off" would not explain the way the piano was playing.  I know that Pete
was at the time looking for another job and hasn't gotten back to me about
it as yet.

However, in the meantime, I ran across another similar problem from a
collector in Dallas.  He complained to me that his Steinway was also
playing too loud.  He had enough time to spend over the phone and so we
troubleshot the problem right there.  It was then I traced it to the note
cutout block above the keybed.

What was happening is this: on each side of the note cutout block are four
pouch cutouts, all covered with a common piece of pouch leather.  If that
leather isn't glued properly, air will "channel" between two or more
pouches on either or both sides, and it can seem to be intermittent.
Sometimes, the piano just plays too loud, and sometimes it's about right.
It doesn't take much of a leak either.  You may not be able to find it
just by looking at it, and it can be a most confusing symptom.  But if
you suspect the note cutout block, temporarily tube around it and see if
that solves the problem.  Remember also that there is a modifying switch
connected to (usually) the #8 int. which can also be leaking.  Bypass
this, too.

Craig Brougher