Hi, Martin,
Thanks very much for this.
It's probably safe to speculate that Hofmann burned through pianos
nearly as often as most of us change our socks. All of the couple dozen
that I've seen that had reasonable provenance that included ownership by
him have had various modifications made.
As to the fourth pedal, the instruments I've seen that had this
modification all had it as a blow-shortening device...just like on an
upright.
Kind regards.
Horace
On 3/8/2019 8:40 AM, Martin Snow via Piano Technicians Guild wrote:
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> I'll start a new thread to?? both Discussions, no real answer to the pedal question. but many years ago I was asked by Hofmann's son to visit and appraise?? a Steinway grand that was in storage at a local Boston warehouse.?? When we set up the appointment he did not tell me who his father was just that there was a piano in storage that he wanted appraising, with the lid raised?? the first question to him was what ''what are?? all those one inch diameter holes in the sounding board, then he 'fessed up who his father was and how he was always experimenting with his various Steinway pianos for improved tone, as you know Steinway did incorporate some of his patented 'inventions'?? to the action, and yes this particular Steinway did have the slightly shortened keyboard specially made by Steinway for JF?? as per his wishes to accommodate shorter fingers.
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Original Message------
I'll start a new thread to both Discussions, no real answer to the pedal question. but many years ago I was asked by Hofmann's son to visit and appraise a Steinway grand that was in storage at a local Boston warehouse. When we set up the appointment he did not tell me who his father was just that there was a piano in storage that he wanted appraising, with the lid raised the first question to him was what ''what are all those one inch diameter holes in the sounding board, then he 'fessed up who his father was and how he was always experimenting with his various Steinway pianos for improved tone, as you know Steinway did incorporate some of his patented 'inventions' to the action, and yes this particular Steinway did have the slightly shortened keyboard specially made by Steinway for JF as per his wishes to accommodate shorter fingers.
------------------------------
Martin Snow
Boston MA
617-543-1030
------------------------------