Randolph Herr shared an amusing story about an inventive way to
make all the piano keys "work".  (Incidentally, the chances are this
piano had 85, not 88 keys, to begin with.)  However, his sweeping
condemnation, "they were junk when they were new, and now a technician
has to work with 100-year-old junk," calls out for some moderation.

It is surprising to me that in this age of enlightenment and
information there seem to be more and more people whose Truth is
based only on their personal experience.  By definition, what they
have not experienced does not, or even cannot, exist.  While it is
understandable that many piano "experts" have never experienced a good
overdamper (a.k.a. birdcage) piano, they are out there.

Surely, most of the overdamper pianos found in North America fall
into the junk category.  Often they have been imported from Britain as
antiques.  People offer them to me from time to time -- I won't take
them for free.

However, there were several German piano manufacturers that built
excellent overdamper pianos well into the 20th century.  The firms of
Ibach (est. 1794!) and especially Bluethner built amazing "birdcages",
with excellent string scaling, overstrung bass strings that produce
a full, rich sound, and dampers that _really_ work, using quality
materials and workmanship throughout.  I have in my clientele a 1904
Bluethner underdamper ("modern" mechanism) and a 1906 Bluethner
overdamper.  Both are delicious pianos, but in all aspects the
"birdcage" is superior to its rival.

So, next time in a conversation about overdamper pianos, remember it is
better to say "_Most_ birdcages are junk".  And if you come across an
Ibach or a Bluethner, give me a call right away!!

Jurgen Goering
piano tuner/technician