In my opinion Robbie's skepticism of the innovations of the Stuart Piano
is not only within the bounds of (piano technology) professionalism,
but healthy and necessary.  I too am reserved over "new innovation"
announcements until they have been scrutinized and proven.  Piano
technicians by necessity are fault finders.  We have to find "it"
before "they" do.

The existence of staggered bridge pins is one innovation that makes the
modern day piano possible.  No one has figured out a better way to keep
the strings from buzzing on the bridge.   If one claims to do this,
then the question immediately comes to mind, what are the trade-offs?
It seems that this was the question that Robbie was posting.

This is the text of the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Co.) article from
the URL posted earlier.  I am very pleased that the URL was active.

> Old Growth Piano
> Tx Date: 30/5/96
>
> Reporter: Karina Kelly
> Producer: Karina Kelly
> Researcher: Anna Salleh
>
> Synopsis:
>
> Newcastle is home to the first grand piano to be built in Australia for
> over 70 years.  Veneered in 2000-year-old honey-coloured huon pine, it's
> a striking diversion from the traditional black.  But it's real claim to
> fame is what's inside.  Creator Wayne Stuart has changed one vital part
> of the design which has been with us throughout the piano's 300 year
> history. This has produced a piano which musicians and composers are
> raving about.
>
> For further info:
>
> Wayne Stuart - Piano Designer
> Tel: 049 613 771
>
> Ian Munro - Pianist
> Head of Piano Uni of Tasmania
> Tel: 002 217 323
>
> Robert Constable
> Director Conservatorium of Music & Dean of Music Newcastle University
> Auckland Street Newcastle 2300
> Tel: 049 294 133
>
> Colin Spiers - Composer / Pianist
> Contact through Robert Constable

I found an email address for Ian Munro, and sent for further information.
I could post to the piano tech list and see what I can find there.  Just
so this doesn't stray too far out of the  content area of MMD, I wonder
what such a piano would sound like with a Piano Disk in it,  or a
Vorsetzer push-up player.

Regarding the information presented earlier about piano innovations.  It
was Jonas Chickering who patented a "full iron frame for flat scale grand
pianos in 1843", and Steinway and Sons is credited with the overstrung
scale in square pianos (1855) and grand pianos (1859).  Ref. Alfred Dolge,
"Pianos and Their Makers," 1911. (Dover)

Richard Moody  ptt