644 Application of Iron Rods to compensate [Nov. 



but as they increase in age, so do they, in consequence of progressive 

 warping, require it the oftener. 



The constant tension of the strings effects such a strain upon the 

 piano, that the opposite corners (in the direction of the wires) of 

 almost every one, however new, will be found, if accurately examined, 

 to be turned up more or less. Thus it will be easy to conceive, that 

 so long as the bed retains inflexibly its straight or level form, the 

 piano will last, possessing the property of remaining longer in tune, 

 and of being more easily tuned : but let the strings once gain an 

 ascendancy over the horizontal level of the bed, and the turning up 

 thereof will proceed with accelerated speed. 



In Calcutta, where people enjoy the means, and have the opportunity, 

 they do not keep their pianos beyond a year, but pay for an annual 

 exchange ; thus getting rid of them before the warping gives annoy- 

 ance, and is not so great as to render them unsaleable ; but it is not 

 so with people situated away from the metropolis, who are compelled 

 to take whatever pianos are sent them, which they are doomed to 

 use for years, until they may be seen with two inches and even more, 

 turn up : in this state many are quite unconscious of the defects of 

 their pianos, and attribute their not remaining in tune to climate, to 

 want of skill in the tuner, or to any other cause, rather than to the 

 deplorable state of the instrument. 



To prevent this warping, several plans (and patents I believe) have 

 been adopted by makers. Some of them consist in the application, in 

 various ways, of plates and bars inserted at the back, and in the inside 

 of the piano. One of the plans adopted is, that of a square iron bar, 

 about three and a half feet in length, and upwards of 15 lbs. in weight, 

 screwed (in the direction of the wires) to the underside of the piano, 

 with five wood-screws, scarcely weighing three drachms each, and a 

 slight bolt, to connect the end of the bar, by means of a nut and screw 

 to the end of the piano; indeed, if this bar were even more substan- 

 tially fixed to the instrument, it does not appear to me calculated to 

 be of any material service in strengthening it. 



In January, 1833, I took to pieces an old piano belonging to a 

 friend, with the intention of trying to straighten it. During this 

 operation, whilst reflecting on the immense pull that the wires con- 

 stantly exert beyond all power of the bed, as at present constructed, 

 of any piano to resist ; it occurred to me, that if a counter strain to the 

 wires above could be contrived and attached to the opposite or 

 underside of the bed, the desired object of keeping the piano straight, 

 thereby rendering it far more durable, and disposed to keep longer in 

 tune, would be accomplished. 



