<HTML>In a message dated 12/22/2002 8:53:53 AM Pacific Standard Time, lclgcnp@yahoo.com writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">Subj: Re: 3 gorgeous 1890's Knabe uprights for sale, unrestored. Date: 12/22/2002 8:53:53 AM Pacific Standard Time From: <A HREF="mailto:lclgcnp@yahoo.com">lclgcnp@yahoo.com</A> Reply-to: <A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> To: <A HREF="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> Sent from the Internet           Hey Thump           Your point is that the Knabe had an awesome sounding bass, and yes I've heard a few that were amazing tonally and structurally. I guess where I get off is that the comparison didn't need to be made especially knowing that even an S&S B with mediocre board but new ish bass strings will bite the head off most any upright. Most Bs are over balanced toward the bass any way even if the killer octave is weak.</BLOCKQUOTE>              I love these old uprights and marvel at there construction design and have rebuilt literally at least a hundred. Also your comparison was to "many new Stwys" Well we all know these pianos don't fly without initial prep.    Other than this I share your enthusiasm     Dale Erwin <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"> My, what a conflagration a tiny little spark can produce on this list, calm ones!!!    O.K. The "B" was NOT restored. But it spent 70 years covered under a pile of quilts in a climate controlled storage room, and was in as near-mint condition as one could possibly find, and a LOT better sounding than many new Steinways!    Have ye who ridiculed me actually HEARD the bass on an 1890's, 3 bridge Knabe upright? The plate goes all the way through the bottom board of the piano to enable maximum string length, and the soundboard ( unlike Steinways ) is rib-crowned, and VERY, VERY BEAUTIFULLY made!!!! By the early 1900's, such quality had vanished from the Knabe line.    Yes, it had sort of an "upright" sound. That is inevitable. But thunderous. Does that mean it is any less pleasing, necessarily? And the actions on these pianos are amazingly balamnnced. As close to a grand as any upright I have played.    Hugh Hodgson, longtime head of the music department at the University of Georgia, had 17 pianos in his mansion. Masons, Steinways, etc, all from their peak years.. A Knabe upright of the same model as the ones I am selling was his favorite to play, so I have been told by his descendants.    Today, one of the finest auditoriums in the country is named after him.    Maybe he knew something.    Thump </BLOCKQUOTE> </HTML>