August Forster

[Carl Root]

Mark Graham wrote:
> 
> I have only one customer with an August Forster 7' (or so) grand,
> purchased in the 1980's. I've tuned it only once, also had to tighten
> flange screws and do some regulation, no big deal. The soundboard is
> finished with a thick layer of something. This otherwise beautiful piano
> has cheesy-looking screws holding the ribs in place. Each screwhead is the
> epicenter of a crazy network of cracks in the soundboard's finish. It
> looks like broken glass. It's quite severe and very visible. Doesn't seem
> to affect the music one iota.
> 
> Anybody know what would cause this? My first thought was moving it in an
> unheated truck. I'm not an expert on finishes, but this doesn't look like
> the usual lacquer, varnish, or shellac, but could be. Owner seems vague as
> to when he first noticed it, but it wasn't there at the time of delivery.
> 
> Mark Graham
> Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music

I've got a 6 footer from the same time period with the same lovely
pattern radiating from the soundboard screws.  Nice sounding piano;
don't worry about it.

Carl Root, RPT
Rockville, MD
Carl