>I've been at this rewhatevering business since early in the 1960s. About >the time I figure I must have seen most everything, someone like >Chickering comes along with this: > >Yes, that gold stuff between the agraffe line and the bridges is plate! >It's all part of a continuous, one-piece casting. And around the bellyrail >the casting extends down probably another 75 mm the full width of the >bellyrail........ >Del > Del, Sorry for the slow response on this. A few months back I saw a Steck grand that had a similar construction. An integral cast flange on the plate that was supporting the bellyrail. Seemed a good idea to me. I don't recall that this additional structure was as massive as on this Chickering. I don't think it extended out as far over the soundboard. I also don't recall how far the flange extended down onto the bellyrail. I would guess the piano was about an 1890 vintage. The action was out so I didn't get to hear it. It was at a friend's shop in LA. I think it's still there. I should be down there in 2 or 3 weeks. I'll try to take some pictures. I like the look of this piano; the case shape as others mentioned, but also the plate casting with lots of small holes rather than a few large holes. Phil F Phillip Ford Piano Service & Restoration 1777 Yosemite Ave - 215 San Francisco, CA 94124
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