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<DIV>We are awash with 'straight-strung' uprights in the UK. They were=
produced in their many thousand until pre 2nd world war. The majority
appeared to come from the hundreds of sweat-shop factories in N.London. =
;
They were usually 'overdamper' (birdcage) but not always.</DIV>
<DIV>The vast majority were just poor, cheap pianos but it meant that thousa=
nds
of households could have a piano. What riches they may have finally
produced for the talented youngster.</DIV>
<DIV>It is very suprising how many are still around and in pretty good worki=
ng
order sometimes. BUT, don't forget that esteemed makers like Bechstein,
Bluthner, Ibach, Scheidmayer et al also mabe straight strung pianos.&n=
bsp;
On some you could call the stringing 'oblique' because there is an attempt t=
o
take the strings at an angle. In the case of Bluthner and Ibach these
could also be overdamper. It has to be said, though, that many of thes=
e
were good pianos especially the Bechsteins. There is very little
comparison with the English counterpart or with the pianos you are talking a=
bout
in the US.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Richard</DIV>
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