I suspect some, but not all, of the differences between pneumatic
and solenoid pianos are really based on what we are used to, as neither
really is as good we think.  But many of us tend to hear live concerts
infrequently.

Yesterday I was again in a new piano store and there was a recital
about to begin.  One of the teachers was diddling around on a 7'
Yamaha and a flawlessly restored 7'-6" Steinway ($118,000).  She
referred to the Steinway as a "rebuilt" piano and felt the Yamaha
superior.  My jaw mentally dropped open as I had played the Steinway
but not the Yamaha.  I never did sit down at the Yamaha to "test" the
difference as I pondered the situation and decided it must be what
we are used to hearing and feeling.

Don Winter

 [ Read about pianist's reactions at
 [ http://www.engineeringandmusic.de/individu/galealex/gaalproc.html
 [ -- Robbie