Pianos (even most expensive one's) were constructed the same way. They weren't going to use really nice and expensive veneers on the parts of the cabinet rarely seen. And the solid parts, like the carved legs and so forth, are usually a lesser wood. Such as a Rosewood case on a piano, the legs will be walnut and then dark 'grain' streaks added and until you go to refinish the thing, it's really hard to tell what they did. And Victor certainly had people around that knew what they were doing.Jerry B. wrote:Always remember that the dramatic and expensive pieces of Circassian veneer were used in the most visible areas. Other woods, including walnut were used in other areas so you would have a mixture from the factory. The framed trim around the doors is not Circassian but the dramatic color contrasts and swirls make a machine like this so appealing.So I'm gathering the lid is American and the body Circassian with added American trim.
Jerry Blais
If you are going to re-veneer that yourself, I would find someone that sells two-ply veneer. It will be expensive but it's worth it. You'll have much better luck that way and they can do all the book matching et. You'll probably have to knock your lid apart and make a new top for that. Trying to get that flattened out will more than likely be more work than it's worth. That VV-360 I have to do is enough for me. The veneer for it will be close to $400 by the time I have it all bought and it's just regular American walnut with some figure to it. I've never had much luck putting two ply veneer up myself. I have no idea how those guys did that back then with hide glue. Other than they worked really fast!