Wissner Grand

[Delwin D Fandrich]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: March 01, 2002 4:55 PM
Subject: Wissner Grand


> Anyone ever heard of a Wissner piano? Factory was in the Bronx (I think).
I serviced a 9-foot Wissner grand yesterday. 1939. Appears to be a Steinway
D clone? Anyone have an opinion on that? I has a WN&G action. It looks to be
a fairly substantial piano. Anyone have experience with the Wissner or
perhaps other similar D clones?


Many years ago I rebuilt a Wissner (sp?) vertical that was a S&S clone
except for the fourth aliquot string. Interesting piano. The couple of
Wistner grands I've encountered were also pretty much S&S clones.


>
> Pastor says it was "completely rebuilt - he had the whole thing apart!"
six years ago - new hammers and backchecks (supply-house hammer, no
tapering, no radius shaping of the tail - not even put on terribly
straight) - not even new felt under the keys. Soundboard has 87,000 cracks.
ZERO downbearing on most of the long bridge, and soundboard flat as a
pancake. Oh, did I say it is pretty quiet on the lower half of the keys, and
just about quiet as a mouse from the middle on up - piano is pretty much
dead.
>
> Now how do you tell a church pastor client type that his "completely
rebuilt" piano needs to be rebuilt - if he wants it to sound like a piano?
He mentioned that a local "top technician" had done the work and that the
church paid "quite a bit" for the work.

You tell him the truth, Terry. And the truth shall set you free.

Del