Forwarded Message:

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• From: pianobook@aol.com         To: ALL                      
 Subj: Re: Call for FAQ input: b Area: 0-rec.music.maker   Date: 04/21/95
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•>   How much of the third edition [of The Piano Book] is new 
>   (compared to the second edition)? 

The third edition has all new brand reviews (at least to the extent they
need to be revised after four years) based on a new survey of technicians
and the pianos they service.  Baldwin is again included in the book. 
(They had been left out of the second edition, you may remember, because
of potential legal problems.)

The section on shopping for a piano has been revised to include
information and advice on the all too prevalent piano mega-sales, as well
as more ideas on how to negotiate the best price.

Prices (in the form of price ranges) have been included in this edition
and also "ratings."  You may remember that in the first edition I had a
very detailed numerical rating system.  Although the general public loved
it because it made buying a piano seem like a science, it
wasn't--realistically--a good idea and was much abused by dealers.  In
reaction, I left ratings out of the second edition entirely.  In the third
edition, a much looser rating system is used that puts piano brands into
broad classifications.

The list of older Steinway models has been revised and refined quite a bit
(enough to run up the typesetting bill a lot!) based on the ongoing
historical research by the list's creator, Roy Kehl.

Plus many small changes to technical descriptions of piano parts, a couple
of new illustrations (Fandrich piano back and action), a little more
information on electronic player pianos, and some new miscellany.   Oh yes
--  and a green cover.

Larry Fine

PianoBook@aol.com