Richard, Not a misprint as to the pitch level that I described.In order to bring tenson level to those of A-440 type tensions the steinway stlye 2 actually I think I said one, the piano needed to be tuned one half step high.This was not an arbitrary decision . I used the original.string scale and bridge placement.The speaking length on A note 85 was 1 and 13/16 inch long which at pitch yielded a mere 105 pounds as I recall .Not enough tens. to even sound dismal. The whole of the top two treble sections was weak and lifeless.Crunching more strings lengths and tens. told the same low tens. story.After consulting with Paul bailey who is historical temp. whizz and also with danny at G.C. bass strings, doing some number crunching , it became clearer that this piano was scaled this way during the mid 1800,s pitch wars.My final confirmation was the P.T.J. annivs. journal which listed several makers varying pitch levels. Determining the tens. was safe I pulled the piano to it;s designed pitch level and the whole piano just came to life. The treble though agraffed to the top sounded quite big and balanced with the rest of the piano.This effect was the icing on this rebuilders cake ,because up to that point my gorgeous sitka board and that other work seemed as though it was an exersise in historical piano futility.I would have been delighted to hear any musical literature played on this Antique! The downside is hearing all your favorite pieces at pitch level one is not used to .I humbly suggest doing your research if your considering such a project.If I had I may have chosen to move the bridge and rescale it so pitch levels are normal to our hearing .Bored yet? The piano now lives in Palm Springs waiting for someone to play it!But at least when it is it will be like stepping back in time and sampling apiece of Steinway history and expierience a little piano evolution.Any other thoughts out there? Dale Erwin R.P.T.
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