Cut-down Upt. pianos

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi Susan:

Just after the WWII, new pianos were not available. The public had been
teased during the late 30's with the idea of smaller pianos. Cutting down
the case of large uprights made them more appealing to the public. Those
who took it a step farther and actually cut the cast iron plate in two and
re-welded it to make even shorter pianos did this ill-advisedly. 
Fortunately this was not does nearly as much as the more modest 
shortening was done. Usually a mirror was placed on a shelf just above the
hammers and action. the mirror covered the pinblock area giving the effect
of a piano which whas about 6 or 7" lower. In addition, the boxey legs were
removed along with the toeblock and spinet type legs were screwed into the
bottom of the keybed. Along with refinishing the case, this made the pianos
look much more modern. By the mid 50's these type pianos went out of style
as the modern spinet pianos became more readily available. It took a little
while for the piano factories to restart they piano production after the 
war. Most piano factories were changed over to manufacturing various 
items needed for the war effort in the 40's.

Jim Coleman, Sr.