<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; =
charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2600.0" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face="Times New =
Roman"
color=#000040 size=2 FAMILY="SERIF">Well.... The model you are =
thinking of is
the 88, not the 77. The 77 is a decent specimen but it's the =
88 that
is a virtual clone of the Mason & Hamlin model 'A'. =
The case
even has the notorious M&H style molded bead around the
rim, and the music rack is a very =
close copy.
Without looking at the fall board it's tough to tell which is which, and =
the
sound is fabulous. </FONT></FONT><FONT color=#000040 =
size=2></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000040 size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000040 size=2>Hope I didn't burst your =
bubble. The
Conover grands in general were a decent pianos but the 88 was =
awesome. I
have one right now that is waiting for restoration. It will get a =
new
board, block, bridges, action, refinishing, etc. =
I'm anticipating an
orgasmic instrument when it's completed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000040 size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000040 size=2>Rob Goodale, RPT</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000040 size=2>Las Vegas, NV</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face="Times New =
Roman"
color=#000040 size=2 FAMILY="SERIF"></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face="Times New =
Roman"
color=#000040 size=2 FAMILY="SERIF">> Hey =
all<BR>>
Last year some time there was a discussion about the Conover model =
77
which was said to be a copy of a Mason & Hamlin Model =
A.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face="Times New =
Roman"
color=#000040 size=2 FAMILY="SERIF">> Intrigued byt the =
feed back I
bought one. Paid too much. I wasn't planning on it but its getting a =
belly etc.
and too much else. However it's not > done so I can't speak =
from
experience yet. Unfortunately the rim turns out to be made of poplar =
which is
really soft & not maple. No cloning > done there and I'm =
not real
excited. I'm interested to know if any one works on any of these that =
are in
good tonal condition or if any have</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=arial,helvetica><FONT lang=0 face="Times New =
Roman"
color=#000040 size=2 FAMILY="SERIF">> bellied one that =
turned out
respectble. Use your own definitions of what that all means, as =
I'm not
fussy. Please render an opinion. <BR>> Today I =
saw
another one same vintage. Yawn. Needs strings, block and really a board =
but is
it worth it. Sentiment only goes so far you know.<BR>> Go for =
it-- Dale
Erwin</FONT> </FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>