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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font =
size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> =
Bdshull@aol.com
[mailto:Bdshull@aol.com] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, February =
15, 2006
3:47 PM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> pianotech@ptg.org;
caut@ptg.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Early Steinway =
Grand
research help</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span =
style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Hi, All,<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I'm posting to both the pianotech and caut
lists. I'm not a pianotech listee anymore, so would =
appreciate
pianotech listees to respond privately. CAUT =
listees may
respond either on or offlist, use your own =
judgment!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I am conducting research on the early Steinway grand,
1856-1883. (These pianos nearly all had jointed rims, most =
had
agraffes to the top.) I also give a program on the =
subject -
the history/design segment will be given in <st1:City =
w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">Rochester</st1:place></st1:City> (hope you'll be =
there!). The
reason I'm posting to these lists is to seek your help with this ongoing
project. I have already learned that my fellow
technicians are the most important resource for this =
project!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I list four areas below where this project could use =
your
help. You might suggest others.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>1. Documentation of early =
Steinways<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>2. Discovery of special or unusually important
Steinways<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>3. Sound documentation of early =
Steinways<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>4. Collection of original parts =
or pianos<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>1. Documentation of early =
Steinways.</span></font></b></strong><font
size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p=
>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I am gathering data on as many important =
examples of
early Steinway grands as possible. This includes =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>photo documentation (as many pictures of as much of =
the
piano and its components as possible). =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>stringing scale: at least samples of all
C's, plus beginning and ends of breaks; prefereably entire =
string
lengths. Most of these pianos have tilting agraffes to the
top. It's important to get an accurate speaking length reading =
from the
actual termination, not the top/front of the tilted =
agraffe.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Action documentation. I use the table =
Pianotek
sells, using standard Stanwood techniques which come with the
table, to obtain key ratios, wippen weights and hammer =
weights. I
photograph everything (including the weighed parts). =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Original string scale notations are =
important.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Any piano which appears to have original components =
is very
important. Bass strings should be partly iron wound, and tuning =
pins
should be 2/0 or smaller. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I would like to do all this myself, but can't do it
all. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>2. Discovery of special =
Steinways</span></font></b></strong><font
size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p=
>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Certain early Steinways are important. For =
example,
according to Roy Kehl, the incredibly knowledgable Steinway piano
historian, seven prototypes of the "<strong><b><font =
face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'>iron grand</span></font></b></strong>" =
of 1869
were built, but he knows of no extant iron grand. These were
probably sold in the northeast and some may still exist. One of =
you might
have even seen this piano and wondered what it was! Finding =
and
documenting an iron grand would be a very important =
event.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Any <strong><b><font face=Arial><span =
style='font-family:
Arial'>fully or partly original piano</span></font></b></strong> from =
the
period is important. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Unusual =
actions</span></font></b></strong><font
size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> are
important. the 1860 Steinway Patent Action, the 1871 Theodore =
Steinway
Action, and - ANY original action, with original parts and =
hammers.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Centennial =
Grands</span></font></b></strong><font
size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> (8'9",
1875-1883) are high on the list. It is my hope to =
find one in
original condition, and also one which has been so responsibly =
rebuilt
that it accurately reflects what this incredible design should sound
like. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>3. Sound documentation of early =
Steinways.</span></font></b></strong><font
size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p=
>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I have begun to record early Steinways. I hope =
to
eventually develop a recording protocol which is consistent.
Unfortunately all I can do now is to set up my hi-fi stereo analog
camcorder. It is much better than nothing, but has drawbacks - =
sound
compression, for example. But I've gotten important recordings, =
for
example, an amazing-sounding 1860 flat strung 8'3" with the =
Steinway
Patent Action. I dream of finding a well-rebuilt, or fine =
original
Centennial grand to record. And a properly restored 8'5" or
8'6" from the early 1870s would be a good example of what Anton =
Rubenstein
toured with, on his famous whirlwind visit to <st1:country-region =
w:st="on"><st1:place
w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> using a =
Steinway.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>4. Collection of discarded original =
parts or
pianos. </span></font></b></strong><font size=2 =
face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p=
>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I have observed that many rebuilders and
shops modernize, modify, and simply toss many parts. Original =
action
parts and components, original sostenuto components (from the sheathed,
belly-mounted original rod, hangers and monkey hardware, to the =
pedal trapwork).
Original soundboards (if board was replaced). Even original piano =
wire is
useful in ascertaining wire content. =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Oh.....any seemingly useless piano might
be useful too. Some of these pianos are now junked or waiting
for....something....their rims or pinblocks/stretchers are so =
deteriorated that
rebuilding is often unfeasible. Or rebuilding is simply so
cost-prohibitive that the piano just sits. I'm interested in =
these
pianos too....<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Again, this study is NOT a study of the modern =
Steinway grands,
the letter model pianos we are familiar with. <strong><b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>ALL wing grands built =
before 1879,</span></font></b></strong>
and certain grands built until 1883 (especially 8'9" Centennials), =
qualify
for this project.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I have a page on my website you may also check out: =
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><a
href="http://www.shullpiano.com/html/early_steinway_grand_research_.htm=
l">http://www.shullpiano.com/html/early_steinway_grand_research_.html</a>=
<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>I welcome all suggestions =
too!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Thanks for your help. I can be reached at my =
cell,
(951) 544-0121, or by email, <a =
href="mailto:bdshull@aol.com">bdshull@aol.com</a> <o:p></o:p></spa=
n></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Regards, <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Bill Shull, RPT, M.Mus.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Shull Piano Inc<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address =
w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>590 E =
Industrial
Rd</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><font size=2 =
face=Arial><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> =
2<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font =
size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>San =
Bernardino</span></font></st1:City><font
size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, <st1:State
w:st="on">CA</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode =
w:st="on">92408</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><font
size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'><o:p></o:p></span></font></p=
>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>(909) 796-4226<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><a =
href="mailto:bdshull@aol.com">bdshull@aol.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></fo=
nt></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span =
style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
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