Historic Pitch Emergency - Help!

[Clyde Hollinger]

Terry,

I have no experience on pianos this old.  I tried three times to write more of
a reponse than this, but I don't have enough information to go on.  Let us know
what you found and how you made out.

Regards, Clyde

Farrell wrote:

> Hello list friends. I am in need of fast input. I got a call from a violin
> teacher yesterday (my wife took it) requesting a tuning on an 1845
> Chickering Grand. I guess she is having some sort of party on Friday, so I
> will be tuning it tomorrow morning.
>
> I have never tuned a piano this old. My concern is appropriate instrument
> pitch. My understanding is that A440 was not necessarily the standard back
> then. What can be said about the most likely pitch this instrument was
> designed for? Isn't this around the time that Chickering introduced the
> first full cast-iron plate? Maybe it is close to A440?
>
> Being a violin teacher, I assume the owner will be pitch sensitive/aware. I
> fully understand that a high pitch may not be realistic, depending on the
> condition of the piano (I have not seen it - although it is reported to be
> "rebuilt"). I am also aware that she may clearly specify exactly what pitch
> she wants it tuned to. But I feel the need to have some basic info on the
> pitch such an instrument was designed for. Thanks for any input.
>
> Terry Farrell
> Piano Tuning & Service
> Tampa, Florida
> mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com