standard pitch in 1850?

[Stéphane Collin]

Hi Terry.

Just one more impertinent thought of mine ...

I heard at least 3 Collard & Collard upright pianos from about that period (last half of 19 th century) who, when tuned at A = 440 Hz, featured all the same strange sound, exactly similar to the sound of a standard piano tuned 2 or 3 whole tones below normal.  (Anyone noticed the same ?  anyone knows why ?)
Would this mean that this particular brand used to tune its instruments higher than other ?  Or that this brand expected this strange sound to seduce musicians ?  Or that in those days there was nothing like a commonly agreed standard for pitch ?
A good test would be to tune the instrument up until the strings break, and then, you know you are too high.  But then, how much safety factor did they use, and what steel did they use ? (So many informations that are irremediably lost !  That's why I would trust my aesthetical sense for what is just beautiful, and believe that well intentionned people in those days shared the same).

Stéphane Collin


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "pianolover 88" <pianolover88@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 26, 2002 2:30 AM
Subject: standard pitch in 1850?


| Does anyone know what standard international picth was in 1850? My Brother 
| recently bought a Broadwood "straight-strung" 6' cottage grand, and i want 
| to tune it to the pitch which would have been correct for its time.
| 
| Also, i have yet to see this piano in person, but i'm told the tuning pins 
| require a special lever and/or tip. Can someone please advise me as to where 
| i might find this particular tuning tool, as i am assuming my modern lever 
| will NOT fit. thanks to the list for your help!
| 
| 
| Terry Peterson
| 
| 
| 
| 
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