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I have an understanding partner. But I made the fatal error of ignoring the fact that I already have a Weber grand piano standing exactly where I assumed the space for this new one :oops: My latest scheme is a mezzanine floor in the lounge :-) But even my understanding partner will probably say no t...

I thought as much.
I was walking around here yesterday with my tapemeasure looking for space for a 268cm piano.
I was not sucessful

I have the chance to buy/ rescue a 1903 9ft Cappell. It is in reasonable condition and complete apart from a missing ivory. Was Chappell a quality brand and in today's world, is this still desirable? I can repair it but it is really huge and may just be a boatanchor / waste of money and time. A beau...

Morning Thank You! It was more of a question of what I should do. I have never used those simlated ivory ones but from what I learnt, they seem to be somewhat translucent and may require white glue. I am not sure what that will look like. I guess I will just go for off white plastic with attached fr...

How should I repair the keytops? I would need a few old celluloid covers but I no longer have old ones. I could replace the lot with off white plastic or maybe those fake ivory looking ones. That eould be a shame as the overall condition is good. Is there a source for celluloid somewhere perhaps? Re...

Very interesting and informative Colin. How did they do black finishes in around 1900? They always appear so thin, not too glossy or artificial or fake. I have 0 knowledge of this but have seen the same in pianos clocks and furniture. Did they dye the shellac black with something or how did it work?...

Hello I have made a bit of time this Sunday afternoon and found a few interesting things. Remember that I wrote that I believe that the original legs are still present but made square? I now have proof. See the pictures. I also wrote that the factory records said "Noir" or black. Ha. the p...

We have come so far and now you are suddenly leaving?
I hope it is not because of something I wrote.
If so, sorry.



Regards
Bernt

Can't answer all questions at once as it takes time to type all this and I am up to my elbows in other work. I don't have a grand lifter but I will work around it. No problem. All in due course. It will all be revealed. The pictures were taken by those who wanted to sell it before me. Not by me tryi...

Hi Colin, and everyone. The pictures I posted are mostly all as they came from other people. Yes, ready to sell the piano. I have to take others but when I started this thread, looking for parts' I did not think that anyone would be interested. So I will share with you all what I know: 1) The piano ...

Colin is right, I never did post pitures of the actual piano.
Sorry about that, I forgot. Here are 5 to start with.


Regards
Bernt

Good morning all Well, thank you for the replies. A nice piano: Let me explain this further: In my past experinece with several thousand pianos coming through the shop and me trying just about every single one of them, I personally found that there are 2 basic type of pianos. 1) Nice and excellent p...

Hello Colin and all Thans for the continued replies. Greatly appreciated! The experience I bring is old school. I have been out of this business for a while and in the 15 years since, the world seems to have changed - a lot. What was still normal repairs then, may well be considered stupid now. I wa...

I am torn between: "Must have" and "forget it". That is why I need a bit of discussion. What would you do? It is a one time opportunity for rare parts without fear of destroing another piano. But maybe a whole other complete one is out there. I DON'T KNOW. Regards Bernt BTW: Are ...

Look what I found!! Almost unbelievable !!!!! All the insides have been stripped out and it has been converted to digital, using a 1995 Kawai. It actually has all the original parts I need except the cast iron bracket. Unfortunately they want $1000. :? What do you folks think? :?: Regards Bernt

Hello Colin

I understand your point and I am not going to ask
I have learned over the years that one has to be really patient.

I will just keep putting the workd out there and hopefully something suitable will eventually come up.

The only must have here is that bracket.

Regards
Bernt

BTW: That important little L bracket you have drawn onto the crank lever... A George Steck Duo Art that I am repairing at e moment does not have this. When I removed the lyre and the shifter pneumatic, the heavy lever swung down and hit me hard onto my lip and teeth. I was bleeding, and swearing- pr...

Hi Colin Thanks for your kind suggestions snd the sketch. There is currently a similar setup under the piano but it is terribly poorly executed in that the whole lyre is a boxy home made mess. I would like to at least try and restore it back to original. If I can't l, Iwill improve what is there. Th...

Here are some pictures showing the lyre, the cast bracket at the top and the music desk.

Hi Colin, forum, I am hoping to find used original parts for a start. I am aware from a good friend of mine that many old grand pianos and uprights get scrapped in the UK because it is too expensive to repair them and of course, nobody wants them. In fact, container loads full of them go to the tip....

Hello all I am posting here as there seems to be no forum for parts and repairs. I am restoring a Pleyel grand piano made in 1900 for which I would love to find some parts. It is a nice piano and I do not want to junk it. Unfortunately, it has been heavily butchered in the past. The piano has round ...