<html>
<br>
Ron,<br>
<br>
I really like Tom's input - <br>
<br>
++++++++++++++<br>
It seems that Chickering was continuing to invent the piano long after
<br>
everyone else was done. (I want to attribute this to the historical
rivalry <br>
with Steinway, reluctance to accept ideas that originated with
S&S.) I don't <br>
think there was any make less associated with standard specifications,
nor <br>
any make with a greater number of scales.<br>
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br>
<br>
Sort of the same as mine, only a lot cleaner.<br>
<br>
To paraphrase Bill Brandom, I believe I'd go with the original
measurements.<br>
One of the things I've always loved about Chickering is that they simply
kept<br>
on with (what I consider to be) real piano experiments long after others
had<br>
given in to "metooism". Sure don't like everything they
did, but they really<br>
turned out some simply marvelous musical instruments along the way.<br>
<br>
If the Renner stuff matches up well for you, and you can make the
touch<br>
work, fly.<br>
<br>
Best.<br>
<br>
Horace<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
At 02:10 AM 10/3/99 -0400, you wrote: <br>
<blockquote type=cite cite>Horace Greeley wrote: <br>
<blockquote type=cite cite>Which Chickering?</blockquote>Uh.....it's a 5'
10" model. No model number/letter, <i>per se</i>. Ser. #138577.
<br>
<blockquote type=cite cite>When?</blockquote>1924-25 or thereabouts.
<br>
<blockquote type=cite cite> Whose action?</blockquote>Chickering's
very own, it appears. Wooden rails, iron hangers. Standard-looking
whippens - not some funky design. The kind without hammershank cushions
(cubes). I'm updating it to Renner stuff. Universal whippen with a tall
heel to match the profile of the originals. Seems to work out just fine.
<br>
<blockquote type=cite cite>Nothing was much "standard" on some
of their models, most notably <br>
the "quarter" and "parlor" grands w/ brass action
parts. Still, I think that <br>
things built after WWI were probably more "standard" than those
built <br>
previously.</blockquote>None of that brass crap in this one. And it isn't
a quarter grand, either. It has about the best sound I've ever heard in a
Chickering. Nice, mellow bass without getting thuddy, and a beautiful
singing capo. The top capo isn't quite as nice, but it's not exactly
dead, either. <br>
<blockquote type=cite cite>Hope all is well with you and
yours.</blockquote>Thanks! We're all doing dandily. Ditto to you. <br>
-- <br>
Ron Torrella, RPT <br>
Piano Technician <br>
University of
Michigan
"Dese are de conditions dat prevail." <br>
School of
Music
--Jimmy Durante <br>
734/764-6207 (office/shop) <br>
734/763-5097 (fax) <br>
734/572-7663 (home) <br>
</blockquote><br>
<br>
</html>