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<DIV><FONT size=2>Encountered two interesting pianos today. One =
was a
Wissner 7' grand. Seems to be a well designed piano, plate design =
reminds
me of a MH. Anybody know anything about these.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Second, I encountered an 1877 S&S D. =
Eighty eight
notes, open faced pinblock that slanted down toward the agraffes which =
ran all
the way to note 88. Couple of questions. I couldn't tell =
where or
how the plate was attached to the front of the piano. It almost =
seemed as
if the pinblock overlapped the front of the plate or is mortised into =
and under
the stretcher which is very heavy and thick. What's that all =
about?
What pitch are these pianos designed for. The piano had been
restrung. Sloppy job with the coils overlapping and a good 1/2" =
plus off
the block. The owners are considering restoring it and it will =
need a new
board. I notice also that the soundboard does not go all the =
way to
the bass corner of the piano. It is cut in at a 45 degree =
angle with
a thick piece of wood glued to the edge. Another triangular piece =
of wood
fills the void in the corner with a number of heavy bolts that seem to =
be
adjustable in order to apply pressure to the edge of the board (don't =
know how
well I described that). The owners are considering a full =
restoration job
and the piano will need a new board and block. Two initial
questions: What is the general nature of the block/plate =
construction and
fit? And is the soundboard design I have attempted to describe =
worth
trying to duplicate? Remarkably, the action design seems that it =
will
easily accommodate a modern retrofit. And agraffes all the way to =
the
top!!! Why did they give that up? No leaky, bleedy, =
buzzy
stuff at the top even after all these years. Unfortunately, I =
think I know
the answer the this question. $$$!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>David Love</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>