I have a Chickering and Sons (on a huge logo in the middle of the strings) or Chickering (on a smaller logo to the side of the strings) baby grand piano with a serial number of 170600. It measures 60'. A piano's serial number is important to determine its age, condition, repair history, all of which will affect its.
I picked up this piano adding to my collection of Chickerings. It was made in 1927 and it's 6'5” in length.
Right under the serial number is the letter “K” and at the tail end of the plate is number 146. I did a search on the internet on “Chickering 146” but nothing came up. Is it an oddball or very limited production? Only place I found any mention of this piano was in the book, 'Guide to restringing' by Travis. I've also a got a 1919 Chickering 123 that's the same length and it's interesting to compare the 2 pianos. This Chickering 146 has fewer beams underneath but 4 additional soundboard ribs. The soundboard grain is also much closer to a right angle to the ribs.
They also reduced backscale length throughout and especially for the bass bridge. There are also no tri-chord wound strings like model 123. As far as the tone between the 2 pianos, the older Chickering 123 has a much deeper sounding bass. Increasing the speaking length and reducing the backscale length on the 146 seems to have been a step in the wrong direction. The treble is also kind of weak on this piano but it may be due to the hammers. Sustain is fine but not much volume.
I would be interested if anyone else has seen this model and what are your impressions. Regi Hedahl 12 ribs, no soundboard cracks, nearly flat soundboard 25 notes on bass bridge Model 146??? At least there is no bass bridge cantilever. Bridge cap appears to be in good condition Newer set of hammers / Shanks & Flanges Here is the 1919 Chickering 123 Extremely long backscale that extends all the way to the case Regi Hedahl, 13:47 น. I think email mailing lists in general are less used than was the case years ago. An email list for a health condition that I've been on for twenty years used to get many many posts every day. Over the last few years it's been one every few months.
Email mailing lists date from an earlier time on the internet, before discussion forums (in their present forms), facebook, etc etc. An email mailing list is not now the first resource people think of when they want to exchange information. (Although this has been a Google Group for some years, it was originally an email mailing list, and is still configured to be much the same).
Best regards, David B. Joseph Garrett, 6:34 น. Thank you for sharing, Regi. I really enjoyed listening! Best regards, David. On 21:47, Regi Hedahl wrote: It seems like this piano might be a bit of an oddball.
I've searched all over the internet and have found similar but not exact. It seems like Chickering made a lot of variations in this length of piano. On this piano, they eliminated the tri-chord wrapped strings and increased the number of soundboard ribs.
I have since given this piano a proper tuning and did some minor regulation. It responded better than I thought and I really like how it sounds. It's got a bit of rough edges but it's not bad for a 90 year old piano that has had nothing done other than new hammers. Here's a recording with some photos. Maybe that will bring back memories to those who are familiar with this vintage of Chickerings.
Auction: Location: Boston Date / Time: October 07, 2016 10:00AM Description: Chickering and Sons Grand Piano, Boston, 1858, white pine, walnut and rosewood, eighty-five notes, Rococo Revival decorated surfaces including pedal lyre, fruit and foliage on frame, inscribed on interior of fall board 'Chickering./BOSTON' and on iron frame 'CHICKERING. & SONS/TREMONT ST. BOSTON,' under the keyboard in pencil '19298/GHR,' with paper labels 'No. 1154/Charles Pickett' and 'No. Provenance: Sold by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston for the benefit of the collections.
Gift of Terrance and Cynthia DuPont Tobias. The instrument was purchased from Phillip Steinhaus of Provincetown, Massachusetts. It had belonged formerly to Mrs. Richard Brandt of Boston.
In the 19th century, the triangulated form of this parlor grand piano was also called a 'Cocked-Hat' piano, as the view of the piano from above resembled a top hat worn at an angle. Chickering and Sons was the leading piano manufacturer when this instrument was produced in the mid-19th century.
Major woodwork was executed in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and cases were moved by train to Boston and then carved and ornamentalized. The keys were produced in Lancaster, Massachusetts, and the pianos were exhibited for sale in Boston.
Estimate $2,000-3,000 Instrument not guaranteed to be in working order. Case was refinished, some nicks, scuffs, surface wear including heat marks and signs of age and use. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000).
Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.