Bob Davis writes: >I get the idea that your Steinway "A" has its original finish. If so, I would >be very surprised if it were shellac/French polish. It should be varnish, >both from its age and from your description of the alligatoring. Bob, this finish (at least the part I tested) is alcohol soluble. My guess is that the finsh "schedule" was a water based red stain, shellac/filler, and then about 10 coats of shellac, either "French Polished", or most likely just sanded/rubbed between coats. I have only tested the finish on the music desk, so there is a possibility that the other alligatored portions may be varnish. It seems strange, but the lid (top and bottom), the inside of the rim, the fallboard, and the keyslip, are all perfect. The legs, the lyre, and all the vertical surfaces on the case are alligatored. >The wood on your piano (I think it comes from Africa) is probably spectacular >(we have two A's from that period at home). I'm no wood expert, but from the texts I have consulted, this wood is a pretty good match in appearance for an American mahogany with a "fiddleback" figure. I guess to get a final judgement, I would have to use a microscope or else get more access to Steinway records than normal humans are granted. Assuming that the finish really is shellac, I have also concluded that there was some sort of stain added to the shellac. Any idea what type might have been used? For those who may be interested, in the course of my research, I have come across a finish described in an old wood working book as a "Piano Finish". This finish has about 17 steps, uses water stain, shellac, and pumice filler, but does not necessitate "French Polishing". The description has a ring of authenticity, just the right amount of labor for just the right result with the materials available at the turn of the century. Too long to post here, but for those interested, I will provide the details by E-mail. Frank Weston
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