what metal is used on the interior of my 1907 willis upright

[Ellaine Ashby]

I would like to learn what metal was used on the interior of my willis upright grand piano circa 1907 serial # 17286. Any info would be helpful

[Bill Kibby]

All sorts of metals are used in pianos, you would have to tell us what part of the piano you are talking about, or provide photos. We haven't seen the piano. Most 1907 pianos would have a substantial cast iron frame, often painted gold, which you can test with a magnet. This is the strain-resisting structure that helps to support the huge tension of the strings, often 215 of them, each supporting a tension equivalent to the weight of an adult person. We are in Britain, and have no access to the records of Willis.

[Colin Nicholson]

Without filling your mind with technical jargon....without an actual photo of a piano stripped down, or being shown in-person (and pointing to each component).... some of this info may be meaningless to you.... unless you are gend up on pianos?

As Bill says, the main 'metal' component inside a piano is the framework - made of cast iron. On old pianos (overdamped), this is difficult to view from the top of the piano, so if you take the bottom door off, you'll see a large 'harp' shaped frame with large 'V' shapes in the design.... usually painted black, and the strings passing over it. This is why your piano weighs so much!

Starting from the top & working down (with top board removed).... your tuning pins (with strings coiled around them) are usually made of nickel tungsten.... sometimes they are coloured grey, blue or coated in chrome. The treble strings are made from high tensile steel, and the bass strings are made from a hexagonal inner core with HTS and then coiled around that are the copper windings.

On old pianos, the action frame is usually made from wood, however newer pianos sometimes consist of aluminium, light alloy and/or certain rails (eg hammer rest rail) consisting of an inner wooden rail, covered with brass sheeting - to 'slow down' any warping of the rails, and keeping damp away.

Various components of the mechanism and other parts use mild steel wires (to be sometimes bent by-hand or with a tool)- such as back check & bridle wires.

On some quality pianos (eg Steinway grands/ old Bluthner overdamped pianos).... what looks to be a metal tube supporting parts, has actually an inner wooden core, then wrapped in either brass or mild steel to prevent warping.... and sometimes this metal sheeting is also seen protecting the wrest plank.

Various metal pins are also used to act as hinges for piano parts to move (centre pins) - and under the keyboard, often steel pins & guides (chrome) are used to secure the piano keys.

On old pianos, the pedals are often made from cast iron, with a brass cap rivetted to them - to regain the curved shape of the pedals. Various screws/ fixtures & fittings/ locks/ hinges & escuteon parts are also made from a combination of brass and steel or chrome coated steel.... depending on the makers name & design of the piano. Often, even the same name on a piano (eg Kawai K2) can have different metal components to match the wood type. Black polyester tends to go best with polished brass, and a walnut finish (new piano) tend to look best with chrome or silver fittings.... rather like a car.

Hope thats helpful....