Weber with 4 string unisons

[Phillip Ford]

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Interesting.  There's another one of these on the West Coast, as it's 
on its side in my shop in San Francisco, although I was told that it 
had been in a church in Michigan for much of its life.  The piano is 
a basket case (literally - it came to me in boxes - maybe it's a 'box 
case').  I think it was already worn out, but then the church burned 
down, which didn't do anything to improve the condition of the piano, 
needless to say.  Funny you should mention Paderewski, as the story I 
was told was that this was 'Paderewski's piano', whatever that means. 
I'm not sure how you would go about proving such a thing.  I suppose 
it's like having a piece of the true cross.  I gave some credence to 
the story since it had four string unisons in the top two sections, 
which I had assumed was unique, but now I see is not.  Another 
feature of this piano - it's obviously set up for travelling.  The 
frame is cut away in a particular fashion and there are metal 
brackets nested in it to which the legs and lyre are attached when 
the piano is on its side.  Another reason I gave at least a little 
credence to the Paderewski story.  One of those rebuilding projects 
for when I have some spare time (which means it will probably be 
inherited by another technician).  I'd love to see this one in good 
shape.  I'm sure it will be no problem ordering some new 4 string 
agraffes from one of the supply houses.  Maybe some day....

Phil Ford

>Dave.
>I took care of one of these for years.  There were only a few made. 
>At one time there was a fellow trying to find all of them in the 
>country and it turned out the majority were here on the West Coast. 
>Paderewski used them when he was feuding with Steinway and often the 
>program would even mention the use of the Weber.  
>
>...  I'd love to see one in good shape.
>
>Hope this helps,
>jeannie
>
>Jeannie Grassi, RPT
>Associate Editor, Piano Technicians Journal
><mailto:jcgrassi@earthlink.net>
>Old Weber fans,
>
>Today I happened upon an old Weber 9 foot concert grand that was not 
>in the greatest shape, though in its time, it must have been REALLY 
>magnificent.  The strings were pretty rusted, though at pitch, and 
>tunable(despite having been installed more sloppily than I've ever 
>seen). I didn't get to tune the whole thing, just looked it over a 
>bit.
>
>The interesting feature is the four string unisons above the 
>treble/tenor strut.  I wish the piano was in good shape so I could 
>really evaluate what musical effect this would create.  Has anyone 
>on this list come across one of these in decent condition?  Tuning 
>them must be a bit of a challenge.  The strings of each note are so 
>close together, that they seem quite difficult to get a mute between.
>
>Just another of life's interesting pianos.
>
>Dave Stahl

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