Walter pianos

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi to all:

The Walter piano was basically designed while we were at the CG 
Conn Co. It was then called the C-48 scale. As far as I know, it 
was the 2nd piano designed with Computer aid. Charles walter and 
Paul Bert primarily did the computer work at South Bend, IN at the 
computer labs of the "Fighting Irish" Univ. The data from the 
computer printout was given to me to layout the string locations, 
lengths and diameters. The computer program was written to give a 
very smooth inharmonicity curve throughout the piano. Very low 
inharmonicity was the goal for the midrange of the piano. 
Moderate jumps in tension were allowed to accomplish this purpose.

In the engineering labs we hand built the first prototype of the C-48.
There were 4 or 5 of us involved in the project. Charles Walter was 
my boss (term of endearment). We made the wooden plate pattern 
from which the plate was cast. I personally took it to 
Springfield, OH where the plate was cast. I empirically designed 
the Bass stringing since we did not have the sophisticated Bass 
string formulas which are now available. Our object at that time 
was to have Bass strings longer than any studio sized piano on the 
market at the time (I think this is still true today). 

Within a year the CG Conn Co no longer wished to be in the piano 
business. Charles Walter remained with the Co., working in the 
Organ Engineering dept. I went to work for the Baldwin Piano Co.
Much of our engineering models were just dumped in the garbage. 
>From the garbage dump, I resurrected a Knight piano which we had 
previously dissected, searching for clues of its great sound. My 
sons and I reassembled this piano and kept it for our home piano. 
I was able to save my log book and a few things from my desk.

Within a year Charles Walter bought much of the remaining piano 
stock and many of the production tools and went into business as 
the Charles R. Walter Piano Co. At first he primarily relied upon
using the leftover parts for the C-42 scale (which BTW was the 
first computer designed scale). This piano was originally a 36" 
spinet. Since its scale was so good,he jacked up the plate and 
made a 41" console out of it. Spinets and Consoles were very much 
in vogue in those days (early '70s). Business was good and even 
though many other piano manufacturers were going out of business.
The Walter Co survived largely because of the integrity of the 
manufacturer and the committment to excellence.

Within a year or two Charles decided to bring out the C-48 scale 
with newly designed furniture aspects. It was a great success.

Later Charles redesigned the stringing scale to produce a more 
gutzy sound. This meant that there was to be some sacrifice of the low
inharmonicity in the midrange in order to get more tension. By 
this time the inharmonicity formulas were developed so that a 
better Bass Scaling could be accomplished and there was smoother 
blend throughout the scale in regard to tension. The plate was 
extended through the bottom board to allow for longer non-speaking 
lengths which freed up the soundboard in that area.

With the demise of the Pratt Read Action Co. and the competitive
attitude of the Pratt-Win Co. Charles finally bought the Langer
Action Co. in England to insure the availabilty of good actions.

There are many other aspects of the success of the Charles Walter 
Piano Co. which I must leave to others to discuss who know it more 
intimately than I at this present time.

Jim Coleman, Sr.