On 26, Apr 2006, , at 15:57, Jean-Jacques GRANAS wrote: > Wow William, > > Never seen or even heard of a piano like this. > > Is this a one piece rim/plate setup? No, it has a standard iron plate and a normal cedar soundboard. The "frame" (or lack thereof) is made of a cast aluminum alloy called "Silumin". The wooden trim is teak, I believe. > Does it have a regular action? > Ditto soundboard? The action is Renner as are the hammers. > > I wonder how it is affected by the heating vent on the floor next > to the > window. > That vent is permanently closed. The tuning is quite stable; it is tuned every 6 months. I purchased it new from a dealer in San Jose, CA about 30-35 years ago for, as I remember, $2,650. I have only seen one other like it, at a mega- dealer showroom in Los Angeles about 10 years ago; they wanted $11K for that one. I've been very happy with the instrument. It has had 2 regulations/ tweaks in the 30+ years I've owned it, and I believe one broken string (bass) in all that time. It's been moved about 4 times during its lifetime. I believe it has a very full tone and a nice action. There is a Yahoo group on Rippens (or AluRips, as they call them). Mostly European. > BTW. Nice organ :-) The Organ in question is a Conn 652, late 50's vintage. I've also got a Hammond RT3 in the basement! If you ever get through Spokane, WA you are more than welcome to come by and play any/all of them! Regards, Bill --- [Certified Virus free by ASISNA Mail Services. www.asisna.com ]
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