HI Dale, I could not help but wonder if the vitality in the treble that this piano is due to the pattern of ribbing. As I recall, the ribs in the top two sections were many, narrower, and closely spaced. Probably about as tall as they are wide, although I would have to measure them to compare. Good looking and carefully laid out plate as well. I can measure for crown and take pictures the next time he has me come. I have no figures to give you, but the board still sounded healthy, even with 4 or 5 shimmed cracks from the earlier rebuild, old flat hammers, funky bass strings, and awful regulation. I would love to rebuild this piano – right now it would be more fun and interesting than rebuilding a Steinway because you can still ask the question – how good can this piano be when it is really right? I’d get rid of that treble stiffening bar with it’s Steinway copying lick and a promise treble bracing and put in another beam. It would be fun to put a board in too, analyzing the string and rib scaling to get more of an idea of what makes this piano smile. I must confess to lusting after this piano in my heart. J Will From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of erwinspiano at aol.com Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 10:30 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Conover 77 Yes ,many under appreciated, and candidates abound with many elderly American pianos sporting hardwood rims/cases and nice sand cast plates. Will... Most pianos of this size typically have 11 ribs. Model Bs typically have 13 with some early Bs with 14 but here you have a soundboard design in a 5 ft 8 inch piano with 15 ribs!!...and with a modest cut-off bar. How cool is that. It would be good to know if the design was rib crowned & if any crown remains. If not the mass and stiffness could account for the still vital sound. It would be great to see some pictures Dale -Subject: Re: [pianotech] Conover 77 They make excellent rebuilding pianos. Another example of lesser known and underappreciated pianos that have fantastic potential. David Love The piano is about a 5’ 8”. The board has 15 ribs, and a small curved cut off bar in the bass. The root of the treble bridge is vertically laminated oak. 26 bass, log scale on treble bridge. Nicely laid out overall. Good bracing underneath. Has a treble stiffening bar stretching from the belly rail to the inner rim, like you see on Steinways over 6’ Properly rebuilt with new hammers and strings, it could be very nice indeed. Will Truitt -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100125/d364ecc9/attachment-0001.htm>
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