Query/Mark Allen Piano

[Delwin D Fandrich]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: January 03, 2002 3:08 PM
Subject: Query/Mark Allen Piano


> 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!)


>
It was my belief at the time that he had purchased leftover plates and rims
from M&H. The plates, at least, were M&H plates with the M&H name ground off
and there was no rim press sitting around.

Scaling and bridges appeared to be basic M&H.

As I recall, he had some interesting ideas about soundboard design--lots and
lots of ribs with little or no crown and/or string bearing. I only heard one
of his pianos up close and personal and, according to him, it wasn't quite
finished yet. I wasn't much impressed with it at the time, but some further
work may have improved it some.

He left Portland and--rumor at the time had it--went to Sydney, Australia to
build a piano for the Sydney Opera Hall. I've no idea as to the veracity of
the rumors. Perhaps Ron Overs would know.

The last rumor I heard was that he was back in the states. In either
Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, I think. Again, rumors unconfirmed.

Del