Several people have asked me about how I derived the scale I used in our
Foster piano, and why.

First, let me say that I would never impose this scale on a high quality
piano.  But as a pianist, I feel that the "no name" or cheaper pianos can
be improved simply by changing the way these piano were strung.  Of
course, this opens up a discussion of string tension, etc., that I won't
go into here.

I used a Baldwin upright stringing scale.  The reason: I like the sound of
a Baldwin, pure and simple!  This old scale is remarkable and remains unchanged
over the years.  From the old 54-inch and 45-inch players and right down
to the little Acrosonic spinet it had the same pattern, regardless where
the breaks were.  Baldwin knew they had a winner and didn't change it for
the uprights.

I strung the Foster with this scale and had a professional tuner check it
for tuning and voicing problems.  I am happy to say that there weren't
any.  We both were impressed with the tone and clarity, and the piano has
remarkable power for a upright.  I also applied this scale to a Lakeside
player with the same result.

The scale uses whole sizes and no half sizes.  Why it works I really
don't know; I just know it does work, and has worked on every upright I
have applied it to.  For those interested the pattern can be found at

    http://members.aol.com/TEMPOLA/fosterpi.html

I am not trying to say that this is a "magic" scale or anything like it.
Nor can you make a "Baldwin" out of any upright.  All I am saying is that
it has worked very well for me.

Feel free to stop by and play our piano, if anyone is down this way.
But be warned -- I might record you!!!

Andy Taylor