CFS - trivia? more

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi Tom:

Yes, Charles Fredrich Stein did make his own pianos. In his later years,
he became the consultant for the Pratt Read Co. (they made keys and actions
for most all of the american industry). He had an idea that people 
(technicians) could buy all the parts from Pratt Read and build their own
console pianos. This was offered and a few techs did just that, but the idea
did not catch on in a large way. Pratt Read used an ad which showed Stein
sitting in the entrance to a large vault or safe. The caption read: "Our 
greatest asset".

The last Kohler & Campbell designs were his. The Jannsen Piano Co. used his
scale "C" as their console before the one Chuck Walter and the rest of us
designed while working for the C. G. Conn Co.

Jim Coleman, Sr.


On Mon, 2 Nov 1998, Tom Cole wrote:

> Conrad Hoffsommer wrote:
> > 
> > What I was curious about is the real mfg of #1180 5'2" grand I have in a
> > voice studio.
> > 
> > Did CFS actually have an independent factory, or did someone else make them
> > to his specs?
> > 
> The Pierce entry reads: "STEIN, CHARLES FREDERICK, 3047 West Carroll,
> Chicago, Ill. 1924. Spinet #1806 made year 1940; grand #1406 made about
> 1930. 1923 - 1942
> 
> None of my piano books say anything about the man so I hope this obscure
> listing helps.
> 
> Tom
> 
> -- 
> Thomas A. Cole RPT
> Santa Cruz, CA
> 
>