Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > November 1999 > 1999.11.29 > 12Prev  Next


Vertical Pianos & Over-Stringing
By Hal Davis

In response to Harvey Chao's valid question about vertical pianos
and how they retain their tuning.

Well-constructed vertical (upright) pianos have several large and
heavy reinforcement posts that provide strength and stability to
the sound board.  A look at the rear of almost any vertical will
reveal the usually four or five posts that typically measure and
look like a four by four vertical beam.

The case of the usual vertical piano gives little, if any, support
to the stability and, indeed, it may be observed that the case may be
removed from a vertical piano and not destroy the tuning.

If I had to describe the stability of a vertical piano I'd probably
call it the 'brute force' or 'rock solid' method as compared to the
'guess and by golly' system of the 'square', the 'other rectangular'
piano.

'Over-stringing' was considered an improvement in stable tuning but
I've never heard of it being referred to as 'grand' anything, nor does
it make a "grand" out of any piano.

There are several good texts available to serious piano tuners that
detail and give a general history of the development of the
"piano-forts" from the technical point of view.

Hal Davis


(Message sent Mon 29 Nov 1999, 18:39:17 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.)

Key Words in Subject:  Over-Stringing, Pianos, Vertical

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page