Can anyone help me with a photo or other info on the correct location of the aliquots on a Mason & Hamlin Model A Plate style A9 The last people who messed with the piano clearly had NO idea where these were to be placed and sprayed over all the original marks on the plate. Is it proportional to the string length( from the bridge ?)?

It is proportional to the string length.

I don't have those numbers right on hand.
Mason and Hamlin might. I'd email them.

I can think of a couple of friends that might. I'll ask

Note / Speaking length / Distance from back of bridge

54 3-57/64 2-5/64
55 3-1/2 1-55/64
56 3-11/32 1-25/32
57 3-3/16 1-11/16
58 3- 1-37/64
59 2-55/64 1-1/2
60 2-45/64 1-47/64
61 2-35/64 1-5/8
62 2-25/64 1-17/32
63 3-7/8 1-7/16
64 3-21/32 1-11/32
65 3-7/16 1-1/4
66 3-7/32 1-33/64
67 3-5/64 1-7/16
68 2-57/64 1-11/32
69 2-23/32 1-17/64
70 2-37/64 1-3/16
71 2-7/16 1-1/8
72 3-5/32 1-31/64
73 2-7/8 1-11/32
74 2-41/64 1-7/32
75 2-15/32 1-9/64
76 2-11/32 1-23/32
77 2-3/16 1-19/32
78 2-1/64 1-29/64
79 1-29/32 1-3/8
80 1-51/64 1-9/32
81 1-43/64 1-3/16
82 1-35/64 1-17/32
83 2-1/4 1-7/16
84 2-1/8 1-11/32
85 2 1-17/64
86 1-15/16 1-7/32
87 1-7/8 1-3/16
88 1-49/64 1-7/64

These are in inches. They may not be exact for your piano.

Far more important is coming up with a good stringing scale!

There you go ...


Turns out I have a Mason A Ax4. Still original
I think I will compare what BDB has to mine.

They are supposed to be put at the point that gives a corresponding harmonic in tune with the speaking length. Whether the second harmonic or third etc depending on the approximate length available. Tune the wire and then move the aliquot until it has a properly related harmonic. Yes it will likely scratch the plate some. Since not all speaking lengths are consistently laid out when the bridge is marked, you can't go by specific numbers. You have to tune each one individually.

At least that's the theory.

What I posted is clearly not correct. Note 54 has a much longer speaking length. It has been a long time since I made that file, and I do not remember exactly which is which. It could be that the distance to the aliquot is the second or the third column. It could be that one is better than the other.

related question.....in what respect do the various types of Model "A" differ?

Are the string lengths the same? The one I am looking at is an A9 but how would that vary from say an A5 or whatever?

The vintage A (pre 1932) has 44 wound strings. 8 singles amd 18 doubles. Maybe even later on.
The newer modern A scale has 42 wound strings 8 singles and 17 doubles. Don't really know the transition point/era but I have a few of each in my showroom. Aeolian era forward was 42 wound strings. I'd measure them for you but it's midnight my time.