Scale-105, Style-U
What is especially meaningful is that this historic piano is believed to be the first one (prototype) of the whole series of the Chickering “Scale-105” Concert Grand family (which includes the 105, 105-A, 105-B, 105-C and 105-D). I need to locate a 105-A and 105-C to compare. I have seen and have the 105-B and 105-D. The 105 family would become the predominant Chickering Concert Grand model from 1890 into the earlier 1900’s which constituted a successful run, by Chickering standards, who were continually creating a number of concert scales. Excepting what is believed to be a one-off gargantuan concert grand called “Scale-125” with an Anderson plate at 9’3”, the “105” family essentially represents their last word on their classic type with the beautiful squared corners before coming out with rounded models after they were merged in American Piano conglomerate - at which point I lose my passionate interest in Chickering.
Description
Full Concert Grand
Features Harmonic Bar/Capo D'Astro Bar in top two treble sections
Serial # not yet found, most probably serial #73700 and the one and only “Scale-105” ever made
Case #7116
8'8" in length
Brazilian Rosewood
"Edwin Brown Action", made in 1886/1887
Found, on the middle stringing pad, (a piece of hardwood covered with red felt) the signature and date of the person who strung the piano. It appears to read: Strung by J. C. Kansur March 1886
Restorative Work Needed
Action (COMPLETED)
New NY Steinway hammers, custom-made Edwin Brown-type hammers, shanks, and underhammers. A second hammer shank rail, hammer shanks, and Ronsen hammers were made.
Keyboard and Action Frame (COMPLETED)
Necessary keyboard work.
Damper Action (COMPLETED)
Pedals and Pedal Trapwork (COMPLETED)
Rebushing, re-leathering, and refelting (as needed).
Case Finish (COMPLETED)
Full case refinishing.
Interior Structure
Install new soundboard, pinblock, plate rebronzing, new strings. Some of this work must be redone due to one octave and a half sounding poor.