Odd Specimen

[Tom Dickson]

Hi, Roger!

  This does not appear to be a birdcage as I understand it - it is much like 
the compressed actions seen on newer, smaller pianos where the capstan, such 
as it is in this case, is very close to the whippen (no stickers, etc. ).  
The dampers act like the ones we regularly encounter.  The dampers are below 
the hammer line, and it is overstrung.

  Thanks for your input and clarifying questions.

                                                      Sincerely,
                                                         Tom
   p.s. Sorry if this comes through again, I had a small glitch on the first 
send.
                                                          TD

>From: Roger Jolly <baldyam@sk.sympatico.ca>
>Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org
>To: pianotech@ptg.org
>Subject: Re: Odd Specimen
>Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 20:29:05 -0600
>
>Hi Tom,
>              Sounds like an English Bird cage from your sparse 
>description.
>  Is it straight strung? And are the dampers above the hammer line?
>
>
>
>At 06:37 PM 22/06/99 -0700, you wrote:
> >Greetings, List,
> >  I went to look at a "piano" ( some of you will call it a PSO ), today.
> >The owners are wondering about its origins.  Perhaps someone out there 
>can
> >help.  Here's a description:
> >
> >  - The case is fairly ornate, with a carved latice work on the front 
>board
> >and this is backed with cloth.  The overall dimensions are a 47 3/4 inch
> >length and height.  The keyboard contains 64 keys, and the key buttons 
>are
> >curved pieces glued on;  the keys look carved to some extent.  The 
>"capstan"
> >device is a screw, with a flap of felt over top.
> >
> >  - The back is rather strange, as no back posts are visible.  There 
>appears
> >to be a wooden frame with a cross member running horizontally at the
> >midpoint;  again, there is cloth inside this frame.
> >
> >  - There is a soundboard, however, it too is in a frame the edges of 
>which
> >are about 5 inches inside the edge of the sides of the case.
> >
> >  - The plate is a 3/4 type with the tuning pins in a wooden panel.  
>There
> >are struts between D30/D#31,E44/F45, F#58/G59,with wound bass starting at
> >D30.
> >
> >  - All the tenor and treble notes are formed by 2-string unisons.
> >
> >  - There is only one pedal, and it is for sustain.  The action frame is 
>all
> >wood, and is held in place with small wooden pieces which turn and 
>tighten
> >in a wooden slot - much like the way some front boards of old uprights 
>are
> >held in place.  A double flange is used in the action, with the hammer on
> >one side, and the damper lever held on the other pin by a brass plate and
> >screw.
> >
> >  - There is no exterior decal (although the piano appears to have been
> >refinished), and an inspection showed no manufacturer markings anywhere.
> >There is a production number (17171) stenciled on the plate.
> >
> >    All in all, a rather strange piece of machinery ( in my experience ).
> >Two other items:  the piano was owned by this family's parents in 
>Colorado,
> >and there is a tuner signature inside the piano that appears to be S.G.
> >Suisa, dated May 7/14.
> >
> >    It's one of those "family curiosity" situations, so anyone who has 
>any
> >thoughts on the piano's origin is encouraged to respond.
> >
> >                                               Sincerely,
> >                                              Tom Dickson
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >______________________________________________________
> >Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
> >
>Roger Jolly
>Baldwin Yamaha Piano Centre
>Saskatoon and Regina
>Saskatchewan, Canada.
>306-665-0213
>Fax 652-0505


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