My former mentor, Augie McCollum, told me that pitch was standardized at A440 in 1929. Prior to that each manufacturer had their own chosen pitch. He usually knew such things and was around at that time. Fran Helms, Topeka, KS >>> "Terry" <terry@farrellpiano.com> 2/20/2005 12:01:49 PM >>> It seems like we have been through this before (likely many times). I really don't know that much about pitch history, but I seem to recall that 435 may have been common back in the late 19th Century, and even back then, A440 was certainly used - at least by some. But by the turn of the 20th Century, A440 was pretty standard. Definitely not the case that all or most pianos before 1920 were designed with 435 in mind. Or am I way off base here (my recollection is likely not what it used to be)? Terry Farrell Pitch before 1920 was 435. Most can take A-440 if not rusty. Jim James Grebe
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