G'day (again) Dave,

I'll try to remember not to Submit my draft ... instead of Previewing it!)

You probably have a slightly less paranoid set of public health regulations of 'crown seals' on your side of the Tasman Sea. The glued-in plastic seals over here are not removed by any process that doesn't fall just short of destroying the steel cap ... or, at least, burning off the protective plating!

I doubt that anyone would be able to do what my late, lamented, mate Rowan ... was able to do some years back ... and sweet-talk the manufacturers into donating a thousand 'virgin' tops without seals ... There's probably a law against it now (not necessarily a comment a comment on Rowan's playing!

It would be sad if we end up not being able to make really 'authentic' lagerphones just because of bureaucratic regulations ... but there are probably a number of players of other ... less acoustically driven ... instruments who might suggest that they would be quite happy for us to use the crown seals with the (rather deadening) plastic inserts left in place!

Regard(les)s,

Bob