Hi Jim, Since I don't have any real information here, perhaps you'd suffer some distilled conclusions (as opposed to verifiable ones). >Et Al; > One of the most common descriptions of grands is the term "baby grand". We >say it, salesmen say it, customers say it, manufacturers don't often say it >though :-) > * First off, I don't use the term, and I tell people who ask that it's a generic term for describing a three legged piano. >1. Where did/does the name come from? * Marketing. It's easier to sell a "warm and fuzzy" than a linear measurement, and "everyone" loves a baby. It's an appeal to the glands, rather than the intellect. >2. What does/did it mean? * A three legged piano that needs a little marketing spin. >3. Were/are Wurlitzer Butterfly and Kimball LaPetite "baby grands"? * Absolutely, as are Baldwin, Starr, Steinway, Knabe, Brambach, Mason&Hamlin, etc. >4. Is a five foot grand a "baby grand". * Not really. It's a five foot grand, but it will be called a baby grand by nearly everyone. >5. Is a seven foot grand a "baby grand"? * No, but it will also be called a baby grand by nearly everyone. The difference I've seen to indicate size is that people include the length or expected usage with the term. - parlor baby grand - seven foot baby grand - concert baby grand - >6. At what size is a grand no longer a "baby"? * When it's reduced to pieces shorter than 18". >Jim Bryant (FL) * I hope this clears up some of the confusion surrounding this term. I do so love to help. Ron
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