Why was the use of Alcoa cast aluminum in the post-WW2 period
discontinued?  I have found such console pianos (Cable used it)
to have a good tone and easier to move.

Allen Dreyfuss

 [ The Alcoa "Alumatone" plate was made for and in cooperation with
 [ Winter & Co pianos circa 1949.  I suspect the extra cost didn't
 [ increase the sales, so ultimately the product was discontinued.
 [ See, for example,
 [ http://ragtimepiano.blogspot.com/2009/01/getting-some-value-out-of-crappy-piano.html 
 [ -- Robbie