fortepianos

[Dennis Johnson]

        As long as we are on to this topic I might as well add I have had
regular experience with some of Margaret Hood's pianos.  In fact I just
tuned a large Streicher copy again this morning.  I don't want to speak too
loudly but in case anyone else is also in this market, I do not recommend
her pianos. This particular one has been trouble all along, and the
craftmanship is not impressive.  Regardless, I do know her as a friend
because several of her pianos are in this area and if her latest
instruments are improved, as she claimes, then great, but they would have a
long way to go.
        If nothing else this instrument is a good plug for Dampp-chaser.  I
was getting a pitch range of + or - 60.0 cents throughout the year, but
today the A was right on after 3 months.


        Of the instruments I have seen by Wolf and Reiger, the Wolf
(Streicher) was very sweet sounding, and relatively consistant throughout
its range.  The Reiger (Graf) has a bigger sound with more timbre contrast
from top to bottom but what bothered me a little were the modern copper
wound low bass strings.  The craftsmanship on both were excellent.  Steve,
does your Reiger also have modern copper wound bass strings?  This Graf is
supposed to be about 1817 I think, and I'd suprised to see wound strings on
a Walter, but they aren't authentic for this Graf either.



Dennis Johnson