1881 Knabe Grand

[Les Smith]

On Sat, 31 Jan 1998, Delwin D Fandrich wrote:

> Dan,
> 
>  I don't know if the designs are similar or not, but we're just finish-
>  ing up a 7' 6" Knabe from the late 1890's or early 1900's.
> 
> It is an interesting design, and one with much potential -- enough so
> that  we purchased another one of the same basic design. Open face
> pinblock, three bridges (the first 9 or 10 unisons in the tenor section
> are tri-chord wrapped strings on a separate bridge).

Del and Dan:

The difference between the 7'6" grand and the 9 footer was more than
just 18"!  My 1885 concert grand does NOT have an open-faced pinblock. 
There is webbing between the tuning pins. Further, it does NOT have any
wound triples either above or below the break, and no separate tenor
bridge, either.  Also under my care for many years--until I became
ill--was another 9 footer--that one from 1878. It, too, did not have an
open-faced block, nor any wound triples or the separate tenor bridge. It
was my good fortune to have had the opportunity to make the acquaintance
of two other 19th century Knabe nine-footers over the years, thus making a
total of four. All four were truly exceptional instruments. Perhaps you
are already familiar with them, but if not, I would respectfully suggest
that if you ever have the opportunity to bid on one, it will probably be
worth your time to at least check it out. To better understand where we
are today, it's sometimes illuminating to look back at where we once were.
Where Knabe once was, few have ever been. If there are any more of those
old, great, 19th century, 9-foot Knabes still out there, they deserve to
be in the hands of those who can recognize them for what they are. It is
certain that we will never see their likes again. Thanks for listening.

Les Smith