First of all I'd like to say thank you to the MMD editors and
contributors.  I've been reading MMDigest regularly for close to a year
now.  As a complete novice, the MMD content and the extra advice and
assistance I've received from your readers has been invaluable in my
quest for the "perfect" reproducing piano.  I _will_ make a financial
contribution in the near future to help repay these valuable services.

I just got off the phone with piano mover John Wrasse and the piano
will be here this afternoon!  It's a 6' Weber Duo-Art grand that
I will be having fully rebuilt. I have not seen the piano in person
yet.  Based on the earlier discussion of the merits of early vs. the
later "dumbed-down" Weber's and my talks with some knowledgeable
rebuilders, I'm pretty sure I'm getting the "better" earlier Weber.

I was told its a full 6' piano, the harp casting looks to me like Craig
Brougher described to me the "good" one to look, and it has the
double-bead design surrounding the case, which I believe is an earlier
design element.  Also John says it's as heavy to move as a 7' Steinway
Duo-Art!  Pictures of the piano can be seen at
http://people.ku.edu/~dwendel/webera.jpg

First question: How did I do?  Is this indeed the "better" Weber?

Second question: I saw another English-made Weber grand on the Internet
yesterday that looks almost identical to my piano, but with a slightly
different leg design and with a pedal box for pumping.  I copied the
pictures and it can be seen at http://people.ku.edu/~dwendel/weberb.jpg

I've always thought the ability to pedal pump was a feature I'd like,
and was a little disappointed to find that this feature is quite rare
in U.S.-made reproducers.  I'd even considered buying a second 88-note
pumper piano, but my wife is strongly opposed to that idea.  So, how
hard would it be to add a pedal pump box to my piano?  It seems to me
it would be fairly straight forward.  Of course I know almost nothing,
so am seeking any input as to feasibility.

Thanks.

Doug Wendel