The piano plate, sometimes called the frame or harp, is typically made from cast iron due to its high compression strength. The strings of the piano are attached to the plate in conjunction with the wooden frame and soundboard, and which the tension of the strings are supported. Many piano manufacturer’s use the O.S. Kelly company to supply them with piano plates. The company is based in Springfield, Ohio. The cast iron is acoustically inert and is not readily reactive with other elements so it does not contribute to the sound production of the piano. A crack or break in the pianos plate is a serious problem and requires special skills to repair, if even possible. A crack in the plate can greatly effect the tuning stability of the piano and could render it useless until a repair is attempted. When restoring or rebuilding a piano getting correct plate position back into the instrument is crucial. Careful measurements are required before removing the plate from the piano so that proper installation back into the piano can be made. The short-lived Euphonicon (from Greek, "sweet-toned") was patented by John Stewart in 1841 and manufactured under his supervision. Hand-painted designs and gilded brackets soften the industrial aspect of the solid iron frame. The Macassar ebony case encloses 3 soundboxes that replace a normal sound board. Decorated on all sides, the Euphonicon can be free-standing. Delicate scrollwork and carving belie its great weight. Similar harp-pianos (so called because of the exposed strings) were popular in America around 1860. Technical description: Base of mahogany painted green and decorated with gilt bands; gilt decoration on exposed areas of sound chamber; gilt metal brackets and finials; painted and gilt iron brackets below keyboard integral with vertical frame; rolls on casters; patented tuning mechanism employing screws; fretwork music rack, base front panels, and sound chamber rear panels; ivory naturals, ebony accidentals, compass CC-a4 (82 keys), 2 pedals, left operates una corda, right lifts dampers, the top 23 notes lack dampers and vibrate freely and ring sympathetically when the instrument is played. Tape-check upright action with trackers, crank dampers with stickers and trackers; instead of soundboard, bridges cross three hollow chambers located behind the strings and extending halfway up the vertical frame; double strung throughout, bottom 18 strings would What is in a frame?The frame of any grand piano is normally made from gray cast iron. This material is dense, heavy, and quite strong. It needs to be because the frame offers tensile strength that allows a piano to resist the many tons of tension that the steel and copper wound strings create when pulled to full tension.
There is just one problem. Gray cast iron is ugly so it must be finished. We are often asked how we are able to accomplish a totally new look on a frame that is sometimes over 100 years old. That is a simple question and the answer is just as simple… Hard Work. The frame above (sometimes called the plate or harp) is made of gray iron. It came from a Steinway grand piano that was made in New York City in 1925, a time when the factory had its own foundry on location in New York City. They made beautiful frames right there at the factory. Our goal is to make it better than it was when it was new and we’ve had clients remark that they prefer them to what Steinway puts out of their New York factory today. There are no secrets, no short cuts, and no magic. It only takes takes time, experience, and effort. The best way to be sure that the new finish on the frame has a beautiful and consistent look is to painstakingly prepare it before finishing even begins. The frame in our picture isn’t quite bare metal yet. When it is we can begin preparation for the final finish. Our goal is to have every piano we work on look as beautiful as the piano pictured below, a Steinway C from the 1890’s. All work on this piano was performed in our restoration center on our premises. Cooled and cleaned, the frames are ready for sanding, finishing and spraying. Extensive time must be taken to process each frame, making it ready for the piano. CNC (Computer controlled lathes) are often used by larger companies after casting to more accurately smooth out the details of the plate and with precision, accurately process each frame to be uniform. Once the grinding and sanding have been completed, the piano plate is then painted with primer. Traditionally, the frames are sprayed in bronze powder mixed with lacquer, gold metallic paint or occasionally silver and then clear coated to appear smooth as glass. Pictured is a cast iron frame installed inside the rim of the grand piano. Read More: Top Piano Teaching Ideas
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