Greetings, List, I went to look at a "piano" ( some of you will call it a PSO ), today. The owners are wondering about its origins. Perhaps someone out there can help. Here's a description: - The case is fairly ornate, with a carved latice work on the front board and this is backed with cloth. The overall dimensions are a 47 3/4 inch length and height. The keyboard contains 64 keys, and the key buttons are curved pieces glued on; the keys look carved to some extent. The "capstan" device is a screw, with a flap of felt over top. - The back is rather strange, as no back posts are visible. There appears to be a wooden frame with a cross member running horizontally at the midpoint; again, there is cloth inside this frame. - There is a soundboard, however, it too is in a frame the edges of which are about 5 inches inside the edge of the sides of the case. - The plate is a 3/4 type with the tuning pins in a wooden panel. There are struts between D30/D#31,E44/F45, F#58/G59,with wound bass starting at D30. - All the tenor and treble notes are formed by 2-string unisons. - There is only one pedal, and it is for sustain. The action frame is all wood, and is held in place with small wooden pieces which turn and tighten in a wooden slot - much like the way some front boards of old uprights are held in place. A double flange is used in the action, with the hammer on one side, and the damper lever held on the other pin by a brass plate and screw. - There is no exterior decal (although the piano appears to have been refinished), and an inspection showed no manufacturer markings anywhere. There is a production number (17171) stenciled on the plate. All in all, a rather strange piece of machinery ( in my experience ). Two other items: the piano was owned by this family's parents in Colorado, and there is a tuner signature inside the piano that appears to be S.G. Suisa, dated May 7/14. It's one of those "family curiosity" situations, so anyone who has any thoughts on the piano's origin is encouraged to respond. Sincerely, Tom Dickson ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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