chickering

[Farrell]

Hi Jack. Boy, oh, boy, Aeolian? You are rocking my boat buddy! This is very new and very interesting information from my viewpoint. When you speak of these various models: 123, 145, etc. Are these model numbers indicated on the pianos typically? I service a 1928 5' 8" Conover that appears to be a fairly substantial piano - could this be one of the pianos you are referring to? Didn't someone say that you were writing a book about pianos? How's it going? It seems as though you have so very much to offer. Take care.

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <JWyatt1492@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2002 11:40 AM
Subject: chickering


> Hello to All,
>   
>     Its great to see this interest in old pianos.
> Chickering had a full plate in Squares in 1837.
> In 1840 he built a grand (winged piano) with a
> full plate. He got around to getting a patent
> in 1843.  By the way this plate was mortised 
> into the case.  
>   Aeolian bought Chickering in 1909.
> At that time the most popular Chickening
> grands were the 77, 109, 110, 116, and 105.
> Not real good pianos, but for then they were
> the best. 
>     Then the 123 and 133 came along  and they    
> both were very inconsistent. Neither offered assurance
> of success when you rebuilt one.
>     Aeolian then came out with the 135, the 145
> and the 123-A.  These were great pianos. The
> 145 is one of the four best 5ft 8in grands in the world. 
> The 135 was a good 5ft 3in. and the 123- A  a great
> 6ft.3in.  
>    Bottom line is that Aeolian improved these pianos.  
> This is contrary to the  popular perception about  
> Aeolian.  The facts seem to always be dull, the rumors 
> are always better and it seems also that we accept 
> something bad quicker that something
> good.
>   I had the good fortune to rebuild a "145", a Conover "77"
> and a Mason&Hamlin "A-6" in a row.  I hope all of you 
> have this good fortune one day.
> 
> Regards to All,
> Jack Wyatt
> 
>