Solid Pianos

[Clyde Hollinger]

Two days ago I tuned an 1895 Mathushek upright.  It's shot, and I'm just
beginning to distinguish some of the tonal characteristics that are easy for
those of you with lots more experience (I've only been fulltime nine years).  But
something about this particular piano had me thinking, "I would have liked to
hear this piano when it was new."  There were remnants of tone there, especially
in the bass, that really appealed to me.

Someday, somewhere, I would like to hear an old upright that received a really
good rebuilding job, but as we all know, it's usually not considered practical to
do that.  This could change, I suppose, as more and more end up in the landfill.

Every now and then a client will say how they like the way their old upright
sounds when compared to the newer consoles.  I've made the comparison already
with someone who might drive a worn-out Mercedes or BMW.  Even though it doesn't
work or look nearly like it did originally, the original quality can still be
observed and appreciated by some.

Regards,
Clyde Hollinger, RPT
Lititz, PA, USA

Ron Nossaman wrote:

> >. But
> >you cannot connect with the inner spirit of the piano like you can with this
> >Baldwin - and a few Steinways that I service.
>
> The potential of islands of "worth" in the seas of abysmal mediocrity is
> what makes it possible for us to get up in the morning and face one more
> day of slogging through the morass of the lowest common denominator. Long
> term survival imperative demands acquisition, assimilation, and
> understanding of the quantifying factors involved, lest we be at the mercy
> of the whim of the gods of serendipity, not to mention those of more
> aberrant alternate realities. Been there, oh boy, and done that - didn't
> much like it. Still don't, when I still find myself in the neighborhood
> altogether too frequently. Be thankful - rejoice - that you are cursed
> (possibly forever) with the capacity to tell the difference between a piano
> in which "all the keys work", and one that PLAYS. It's a positive detriment.
>
> Sort of.
>
> >In light of recent posts on unbushed tuning pins, I should point out that
> >this Baldwin does not have tuning pin bushings.
>
> Don't even think it unless you have ammunition. A similar case can be made
> for the relationship between the quality of sound and the size of the
> casters if it comes to that. Then there's lid area.
>
> >Am I having an acid flashback, or are some pianos like this???
>
> Maybe ( I don't know where you've been), but they are, nonetheless.
>
> Ron N