Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-10-01
ART OF PIANO-MAKING.
Nearly six Years Necessary for
Perfect Construction.
Wsrk Requiring . Large Expenditure OF
Time and LAbor-The Actions of the
Keys and Levers tor vital Impor-
tance-Ths Sounding Board.

tance-Ths Sounding Board.
Few people are aware of the amount
of time and labor required to produce
piano. From the time the first log is
sawed in the forest until the finishing
touches and final overhauling are given
to the completed piano from four to six
years must pass. That is, every piano
turned out from the factory or store to-
day was begun four or five years ago,
and ever since that time has been GO
ing through the various stages of prep
aration and construction. One of the
large manufacturers when asked by a
Brooklyn Eagle reporter as to the
process of construction cheerfully gave
the desired information, at the same
time leading the way through the man
ufactorY.
'"This is in reality the second factory"
said he. "for all the material comes here
in a partially completed state. In the
first place, an experienced lumberman
is employed by every manufacturer to
select the logs and see that the grains
of the different woods are straight and
true. After these have been sawed the
lumber is piled under weather proof
sheds, where it remains from three to
Ave years, according to thickness, until
it has become thoroughly air dried.
when the case has been cut out in
the Massachusetts factory it is shipped
mere and comes first into the vanishing
department, where it remains from three
to four months in order that the pores
of the wood may be thoroughly filled.
That is really the secret of the fine
polish on a finished piano. While this
work is progressing in the vanishing
room, other and important work is being
done on the interior of the piano. The
sounding board, which is also seasoned
and tested in the first factory, is again
thoroughly tested here. Every grain of
wood and every joint is thoroughly in
Yestigated before it is put into the case.
Here the skill of the piano maker be-
gins and only the most careful and com
petent workmen are intrusted with the
responsibility of this department..
Numerous mechanical and scientific ar
engagements are necessary to obtain
satisfactory results with the sounding
boards.
"Then the actions, keys and levers
are attended to in another room. These
portions of the piano are of the most
vital Importance, as it is upon the exact
adjustment of the many levers and CEN
ter points that the power and delicacy
OF the touch depends. Unless great
care and attention is bestowed upon the
details in this department the piano
must prove failure. The next stage
reached is where the hammers, keys
and actions are placed in their proper
positions In the frame, when the piano
first gives forth sound as a musical in
strument. The principal object sought
here is a powerful blow of the hammer
upon the strings, to be produced by a
light touch of the performer. The work
men in this department must have skill
and experience, for the delicate and
costly materials and meohanisms they
handle and place in proper working
positions make this branch one of great
trust.
''In still another department the carv-
ers are at work, ohise1ing out legs and
other ornamental portions of the piano.
These, too, have to go through q
course Of sprouts in the varnish room.
After the keys, levers, hammers, sound
ing board and case have been properly
put together, the piano goes to the fly
finishing department, where all those
parts which have been finished separate
y are placed in their respective posi-
tons. That is, the top, lockboard, legs,
pedals and music rack are here adjusted.
! Snow that the piano has been put to-
gether, it remains in the ny finishing
department from three to Ave weeks
weeks and receives a preparatory course
Of tuning before going into the hands of
the action and tone regulators. These
first tunings are of great Importance,
and on them much of the future excel
lence Of the piano depends.
Then the instrument goes to the tone
regulating department, probably the
most important branch Of all. Failure
here is fatal, and must result disastrous
~ as far as the production Of a true
musical instrument is concerned.
"of course you think this is the fin
ishing point, but it isn't. Before it
| goes to the ware-rooms the piano goes
into the hands Of workmen of the very
highest grade, who minutely examine
| every portion Of the instrument. Every
string and hammer, every center lever
and spring, every screw and pin must
undergo rigid inspection, and not I'M
til all these have been ascertained to be
adjusted properly and the instrument
is found to be in q perfect condition is
1t passed over to receive its final polish
and be placed in the ware-room."
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