John Poling writes:

> As for my piano, it is a Chase, but I really don't know where I
> would find out when it was made.

Finding the age should be very easy. Typically, the serial number
is stamped into the pin block. It is normally located in the open
space between the copper wound bass strings and the steel tenor
strings in an oblong or rectangular hole about 2" X 3/4". It will
undoubtedly be a 5 or 6 digit number (and in this case, probably
a 5 digit number). That number will correlate to a manufacturers
date in the Pierce Piano Atlas, which most technicians and
rebuilders have readily on hand.

Judging from the information in the Atlas, we're talking about
an A.B. Chase made in Norwalk, Ohio. However, it appears that
the company changed hands a few times after "The Crash of 1929".
So, take a look and drop us a line. We'll figure it out.

Also he says:

> He said that it was about "20 cents off" if you know what that
> means.

When the tuner said the piano was 20 cents flat, he should have
explained that there are 100 cents between each note on the piano and
1200 cents in an octave. Therefore 20 cents is 1/5th of one half-step,
in music terminology. Not too bad for a 60+ year old player piano. The
question is, will it hold the tuning? Did he examine the soundboard and
bridges for cracks?

Musically, John A. Tuttle

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