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Joined: May 2001
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So I am at my office this morning and frankly, it is snowing right now and will continue through the day. I will not have lots of "in store" traffic. This gives me a little time to share an unusual piano with my friends here and also have a little fun. The questions are: 1 What is it? 2 When was it built? 3 Can you tell me anything about the design? For those who aren't familiar with some of the more unusual designs, let me assure you there is no photoshop going on. The piano is as it appears.
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I have a guess on #1.
1. It's a piano.
Eric Gloo Piano Technician Certified Dampp-Chaser Installer Richfield Springs, New York
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1. Mathushek Concert Grand. 2. Late 1800s or Early Early 1900s 3. Honestly, I don't know much about the designs.....eh....*Guesses* It seems to evoke more of a Classical-ish styling. Is there a proper name for it?
1952 Wurlitzer 2150 Spinet...'The boogie-nator' Man, can it R-O-C-K!
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It seems to be built with a bass-side opening lid(s). Custom designed for a specific environment?
This piano has many contradictions. The fallboard logo would indicate the 1870-80's, but I not sure they built grands at that time. It was the era of their square pianos.
If it was actually built by one of the Mathushek affiliated companies, I would guess it would be from the 1910-1920's. Custom built as a one-off.
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
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This piano has many contradictions.
It does... or does it?
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It was built to perform the Beethoven Contredanses.
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
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Rich, always ready for a bit of fun....... 1. A large object below a window with snow outside. 2. Way before I was born! 3. A 3-legged finger exerciser.
Last edited by Tweedpipe; 02/03/14 10:22 AM.
Currently working on:- C Major scale (r/h only - starting with the pinkie finger)......
Dear Noah, We could have sworn you said the ark wasn't leaving till 5. Yours sincerely, The Unicorns
(Sent from my Sinclair ZX81)..........
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It sounds from the brief bios I have found on line as though Mr. Mathushek let a fairly frustrated existence--a prolific inventor who died in poverty. He probably built a lot of one-off pianos to experiment with his various ideas, alas a sure road to bankruptcy. I agree with Minnesota Marty about the fallboard--as far as I could find out, he added "& Son" to his name in 1905 and also moved from New Haven, so if the fallboard is accurate it has to predate 1905.
Rich, I assume that you have additional information--I would love to know more! Whatever it is, it is gorgeous and fascinating.
As you can tell, I'm snowed in too!
Last edited by Rank Piano Amateur; 02/03/14 10:36 AM.
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Hi Rich,
How does it sound?
Robert
rjc
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Hi Rich,
How does it sound?
Robert
rjc
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It must have an echo!
an echo
echo
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
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The case is the reverse of the standard grand. The curve is on the bass side. Does this actually allow for longer bass strings?
Eric Gloo Piano Technician Certified Dampp-Chaser Installer Richfield Springs, New York
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The case is the reverse of the standard grand. The curve is on the bass side. Does this actually allow for longer bass strings? Absolutely Eric. It is definitely a reverse case design. Tell me what you are thinking about string length and add your thoughts on what this design might do to the bridge placement as well. So far, so fun people.
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It looks to be about 1880 rosewood grand built in a reverse configuration, with some oddity with the lid, which looks to have some extra parts. I suspect it is in someone's display of instruments, judging by the keys, pin blocks, and lid mounted behind it, so it is either in a store or a museum.
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Seems like the maker did something unique with the agraffes.
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Absolutely Eric. It is definitely a reverse case design. Tell me what you are thinking about string length and add your thoughts on what this design might do to the bridge placement as well. As far as string length, the reverse case design allows for the bass strings to run much more diagonally than in a normal case design. Is the bass bridge running somewhat parallel to the treble side of the case? Or, is there more than one bass bridge? Or, does the bass bridge look like an upside down and backwards "L", with part of it running parallel to the rear end of the case, and the rest running down the straight side? Are there wound strings in the tenor section, with a separate bridge? Does the lid offer 4 possible ways to be used? Closed (as shown). Front section up/rear section down. Front section down/rear section up. Both sections up.
Eric Gloo Piano Technician Certified Dampp-Chaser Installer Richfield Springs, New York
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Or...OR...is it straight strung, with no separate bass bridge?
Last edited by Eric Gloo; 02/03/14 12:51 PM. Reason: Because inquiring minds want to know!
Eric Gloo Piano Technician Certified Dampp-Chaser Installer Richfield Springs, New York
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Judging by the floor, doors, and wind screen, I would guess it resides in all of it's backwards glory in Germantown.
I'm very confused by the double opening lid. I've never seen anything like it before. It seems to have both a 'trunk' and a 'hood.'
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
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One big question is if it is overstrung.
Rich, how about a photo with the lids open?
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
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Seems like the maker did something unique with the agraffes. No contact with the plate. But not sure which model.
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
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