Currier pianos

[Newton Hunt]

This piano was made with the same materials and techniques they used
to make helicopter blades.  No back posts.  At the time (mid '70s?) I
thought it was a weak design because when I looked at the back,
edgewise, _I_ could see the back curled upper left to lower right from
the front of the piano.  I also hated the tuning pin configuration.

The 'plate' break, as you describe it, may be unique to the breed,
just like any plate break is (mostly) so I would tune another one but
tell the story of this one to the next owner.

The cost of even trying to repair this piano would far exceed the cost
of a new inexpensive piano and even then I would not trust such a
repair.

Be grateful you were not the last tuner.

		Newton

Brenda Mamer wrote:
> 
> About 3 years ago I was called to tune a Currier Studio.  The woman said it sounded 'terrible'.  She was right. 3 years earlier it had been pitch raised 30 cents and now it was  200 cents flat. At the treble break it sounded as if I were banging a garbage can lid.  This model appears to have a massively thick [ 1 1/2 -2"] plate.  What it turns out to be is some sort of wood composite,[ plywood, sawdust or something in-between].  It is faced with a thin smooth metal veneer and all sprayed gold.  The 'plate' had broken at the treble break and the metal veneer was bulged forward towards the strings and was touching for about 1/2 an octave.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  Of course no one was home, I left the woman a note and spoke with her later.  I don't know that I'd ever tune one of those again, at least not bring one up to pitch!    Wondering if anyone else has seen one of these?
>                                  Brenda Mamer, RPT  WI