Monochord Curiousity

[Richard Moody]

Is this a "grand" type?   Sits on four legs is square, has a downstriking
action, is very light in weight?   Anyone know of such?   Appears to be made
from the late 30's to the late 40's.    No name or marks anywhere.   The
action and keys were taken out by another technician and not returned.
Looks like a small desk when unopened ---ric

----- Original Message -----
From: Piesik, John (JPIESIK) <JPIESIK@arinc.com>
To: Pianotech Post Msg (E-mail) <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2000 2:25 PM
Subject: Monochord Curiousity


> Dear List,
>
> I have encountered a peculiar 5-octave, 64 note, all single string
unisons,
> Monochord, "mini-piano" distributed from Los Angeles, apparently Japanese
> made.
>
> The most interesting thing to me is the bass strings. There appears to be
a
> single core wire with two wound segments, one for each of two notes on
this
> single, continuos core (there is a gap or space of plain wire of about 8
> inches between the two copper windings - this wraps around the hitch pin,
> thus separating the two string segments). Creating new bass strings seems
> like it would be a challenge. The "hitch pins" appear to be part of the
cast
> iron plate itself and are about 1/2 inch wide - very odd. If you've seen
one
> you might be able to visualize what I'm attempting to describe. Also, the
> balance rail and front rail pins are very thin.
>
> In most all respects, this thing looks and behaves like a piano, except
for
> the single string unisons, and it's relatively lightweight. It was over a
> half step flat, but came up to A440 and is holding just fine. It only
takes
> a few minutes to tune it - sort of like tuning an autoharp!
>
> Does anyone have any info they can provide to me on this piano? I would be
> interested in knowing a bit of history on it, when and why they were made,
> who and how they were made, anything else... (I've got the action in the
> shop for numerous required repairs).
>
> Many thanks,
>
> John Piesik, RPT
> Piesik's Piano Service
> Oceanside, CA
> (760) 726-4665
> jpiesik@arinc.com
>
> P.S. Please respond directly to my email - I'm not currently subscribed on
> the List.