Chickering Grand

[Eugene I. Roe RPT]

Avery Todd wrote:

> List,
>
>   ===========================FORWARDED
> MESSAGE=============================
>
> I recently bought a piano which according to the serial # is an 1868
>
> Chickering, a 9'1" concert grand, made of rosewood, and in perfect
> shape.
> The harp does not state it is a Chickering. Instead it states "33 B"
> where the
> B is below the 33.  After I brought it home, I had a few people look
> at it.
> Most believed that according to their knowledge of Johannes Brahms,
> it was a
> piano built for him, whereby he had the harp altered to his
> preference,
> including the elimination of the raised circle holes, added circle
> holes and
> rectangular cut outs at specific loactions to allow a more uniform
> sound.
> Because the sound quality brings tears to one's eyes, we suspect it
> may be
> true.
>   It's exactly the same as the one
> pictured in Ed Kuntz's Chickering registry, front page where that
> one
> pictured is an 1865 unit at the Smithsonian Institution.
>
> For these reasons, I would like to learn all I can. It need's small
> repairs,
> which I hope I can get done because so many people want a record off
> of it or
> just to gather here at my house to play it with groups of pianists.
> I would
> offer it to those wishing to play it, for free. I simply want to see
> it be
> appreciated, and for this reason, if I knew what I had we all would
> be
> thrilled of the accuracy.  If it turned out to be an aftermarket
> type, which
> I sincerely doubt, I still would not be bothered because it is so
> beautiful.
>
> Any help is appreciated.  I am in New York on Long Island.
> Thank you,
>
> Fred Eichhorn

  I am currently working on Chickering Concert grand #41055 c.1872 scale
33B.This piano measures 101 inches and the plate has no markings except
for the 33B behind the top treble strings. There are holes (not
raised)between the hitch pins and the rim as follows from right to left.
Left of the 33 with the B underneath 2 round holes, plate bar, 3 round
holes, triangular hole, plate bar,triangular hole,4 round holes,
triangular hole, plate bar,triangular hole, 2 round holes and plate bar
between the treble and bass sections. When I received this piano I was
amazed at the wonderful but not very powerfull sound .The strings appear
to be original and are in good condition. The lack of power I attribute
to the fact that the soundboard was not doing much since it was unglued
from the ribs in about thirty places. The other problem which I have
seen on some other big straight strung Chickerings is that the back
bridge pins on the left string of the tenor trichords splits out and
somtimes buzzes against the right string of the trichord below. On the
new cap I am carving  I am not going to cut the notches as deep as
original so the pin will have more supporting wood. The action is in
good condition but needed new hammers. On a Chickering with a Brown
action it is extremely important to keep to the original hammer weight
which is sometimes difficult these days.

Question? What is Ed Kuntz's Chickering registry and how do I obtain it?

Gene Roe RPT