Mark Allen had a shop in Portland, Oregon, during that time. He was, IMO, a mechanically talented egomaniac, who made what I would term "kit pianos". In other words: plate from a defunct company, case ditto, standard Renner action, etc. I personally had some distasteful encounters with him. His piano, again IMO, was better than most pianos of the time, (considering that Aeolian was down the dumpers and S&S was close to it, etc.), but didn't ring my bell. As for designing, I doubt if he did any. Regards, Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon)(Go Nebraska!)
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