---d On Nov 21, 2012, at 12:53 PM, "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett at earthlink.net> > > Laura, > Maybe.<G> First of all, I'd simply call that an Early European Constructed > Piano. It has a slightly "bent" area of the rim in the middle section,but > all else is "jointed" to get the "shape".<G> It does appear to be pretty > stout, so, I don't think I'd be too concerned with the structure being > weak. However, I'd date that one in the 1855's - 1865's, so the piano wire > would definately be suspect. Since there was no "standard pitch" until > around the 1870's,and there wasn't established wire quality, either, it'd > be a crap shoot to figure out what Knabe had as their design pitch, (if > any<G>). I've found, that 425cps,(60 cents flat), is a safe and somewhat > established pitch of that time, that is what I'd use. If the wire won't > take it, (you'll know quickly, in just setting the "pitch".<G>), then I'd > go for 100 cents flat/A#=440cps, which would make it playable with other > instruments, but would not be conducive to any kind of tuning stability, > since the tension would be so low that tuning pins would not have their > optimum "cant". BTW, I would closely inspect ALL joints of the case for > possible delaminations. That is usually the case with this type of > construction. If any such delaminations are found, I'd suggest not tuning > it and recommend that the structure be repaired before tuning be attempted. > Hope that helps. > Joe > > > Joe Garrett, R.P.T. > Captain of the Tool Police > Squares R I >
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