Hi, Dave, All, For those who may not be aware of it, Martha's massive research into early pianos provided the groundwork for a database, now on line at: http://www.earlypianos.org/ She later wrote two books based on data in the database (and her own knowledge and notes). The books are now hideously expensive (and not likely to be available for electronic distribution any time soon); so the database, which may be accessed through the above site, is probably the most reasonable way to get access to the information. Martha and Ed, her husband, were musicologists of vast knowledge and ability, who were also just sufficiently odd enough to be wonderfully refreshing. Both slipped their mortal coils before finishing enough of what they had planned...I have no doubt that they are both now terrorizing the Choir Invisible with concerns over proper performance practice.... Thanks, David! Best. Horace At 07:30 PM 2/10/2012, you wrote: >I have taken the liberty of reposting this thread to this list >(pianotech at ptg.org) and, if successful, the Piano History list on >my.ptg.org. It is interesting but It ought not to continue on >ptg-l, which, in both old and new format, is intended specifically >to discuss organizational business, not technical matters. Thanks. >David Skolnik > > >>Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:44:48 -0800 >>From: Larry Lobel <hayforker at comcast.net> >>Subject: Re: [PTG-L] Charles Cabdy Piano (email correction) >>Sender: ptg-l-bounces at ptg.org >>To: ptg-l at ptg.org >>Reply-to: ptg-l at ptg.org >>Delivered-to: ptg-l at ptg.org >>Original-recipient: rfc822;davidskolnik at optonline.net >> >> From the book "Makers of the Piano, Vol 2 (1820-1860)" by Martha >> Novak Clinkscale, page 69: >> >>"CADBY Charles (fl. 1839-85). The Charles Cadby Patent Pianoforte >>Manufactory was first listed at 21 Alfred Street, Tottenham Court >>Road, Bedford Square, in London. From 1848 to 1863 the firm was >>listed at several numbers in Liquorpond Street (e.g. 33 1/2, in >>1850, and 38 and 39 in 1855). By 1860 they had added 42 New Bond >>Street, and in 1869 their address was Little Tothill Street, Little >>Gray's Inn Lane. Renamed Charles Cadby and Son, the company listed >>their address as "Near Addison Road Station". Charles Cadby and >>Co. were located in Hammersmith Road in 1879. >> >>In 1850 Cadby registered a patent (English, no. 3,221) for a >>detachable soundboard that was suspended above the frame. He >>entered three (or two?) of his pianos in the Great Exhibition in >>London in 1851: (1) a rosewood grand, (2) a grand of zebra wood, >>and (3) a cottage piano; all these instruments utilized Cadby's >>suspended soundboard." >> >> From the book "The Piano-Forte, It's History Traced to the Great >> Exhibition of 1851," by Rosamond Harding, page 268: >> >>"In 1850 Cadby relieved the soundboard from the downward pressure >>of the strings by 'so adapting it to the instrument that fhe former >>being wholly or partially detached from permanent connection with >>the framework and suspended therefrom by metallic or other >>attachments may be strained or tightened when desired' and removed >>for repairs when necessary. The clamps held the board firmly >>whilst it was being tightened by means of tightening screws at the >>opposite side. Dr. Wood suggests that by means of this arrangement >>of being able to tighten or slacken the soundboard it would be >>possible to brighten the tone of the instrument in any register >>where it might be weak. This would be especially valuable in the >>upper octaves since they were used so much by composers." >> >> >>Larry Lobel, RPT >>Virtuoso Piano Service >>Petaluma, California >> >>(707) 762-5800 >> >> >> >> >>On Feb 10, 2012, at 4:57 PM, <mailto:Bdshull at aol.com>Bdshull at aol.com wrote: >> >>>Jack, >>> >>>John Delacour is at <mailto:pianos at pianomaker.co.uk>pianos at pianomaker.co.uk >>> >>>The address I gave you first was wrong. >>> >>>Bill >>> >>> >>> >>>In a message dated 2/10/2012 4:28:14 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, >>><mailto:Bdshull at aol.com>Bdshull at aol.com writes: >>>Hi, Jack, >>> >>>How interesting! I have a Cadby grand, it's a little under 7'. I >>>didn't know about the Cadby soundboard design, my grand has had >>>major butchering of the soundboard......What you describe sounds >>>like the suspended boards on the Chickerings in the 1880s and >>>1890s, which I think is a great sounding board. >>> >>>I made some new friends in England when I lectured there in >>>October. Alistair Laurence is the curator of the Finchcocks >>>Museum, but he doesn't do email, and his cell phone voice mail >>>isn't set up (he's definitely against all that stuff :) ) You >>>could email him in care of the Katrina and Richard Burnett, the >>>owners of Finchcocks, try >>><mailto:katrina at finchcocks.co.uk>katrina at finchcocks.co.uk >>> >>>One of the most knowledgable British technicians is John Delacour, >>>who would be well worth writing to about this piano: >>> >>><mailto:pianos at pianomaker.uk>pianos at pianomaker.uk >>> >>>John's shop beginning in 2007 is made up of two 1,400 sq. feet >>>floors in a "redundant grain silo at Deverel Farm" ...... >>> >>>$4,000 does sound pretty steep for an old English upright..... >>> >>>BTW the list that would be most interested in both your question >>>and the answer would be the piano history list on the ptg >>>discussion groups, there are over 100 techs signed up. And the >>>pianotech and caut lists on the discussion groups are large groups >>>who might be interested in this question and the discussion about >>>it too. Have you signed up on <http://my.ptg.org>my.ptg.org for >>>these groups? I know they'd love to see you there, and once you >>>figure out how the discussion groups work (it took me a while) >>>you'll have fun. >>> >>>Bill >>> >>> >>>Bill Shull, RPT, M.Mus. >>>President, Shull Piano Inc >>>Period Piano Center >>>25041 Redlands Blvd >>>Loma Linda, CA 92354 >>>909 796-4226 bus cell >>><mailto:bdshull at aol.com>bdshull at aol.com >>>www.shullpiano.com >>><http://www.periodpianos.org/>www.periodpianos.org >>> >>>In a message dated 2/10/2012 3:24:57 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, >>>JWyatt1492 at aol.com writes: >>> >>> >>>---------- >>>From: JWyatt1492 at aol.com >>>To: ptg at ptg.org >>>Sent: 2/10/2012 1:29:52 P.M. Central Standard Time >>>Subj: Fwd: .Charles Cabdy Piano >>> >>> >>> >>>---------- >>>From: JWyatt1492 at aol.com >>>To: ptg at ptg.org >>>Sent: 2/10/2012 1:27:24 P.M. Central Standard Time >>>Subj: .Charles Cabdy Piano >>> >>>Hello to All, >>> >>> >>> I am trying to find any information on a " C. Cadby " of >>> London 1839--1863 >>> >>> Especially his detachable / suspended sound-board. >>>I will be inspecting an upright soon and may buy it. >>> >>> However I will have to do something about the $ 4000.00 >>>price. >>> Any info. will be appreciated. >>> >>> .Regards to All >>> >>> Jack Wyatt >>>
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