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Thanks for comments, guys. Well, it's not a great success, and I think I'll just have to reassemble and think again. The frame itself is just too heavy to move .. it's about twice the thickness of any other frame I've ever seen .. virtually bomb-proof! I'm not being arrogant about it, but I don't TH...

I have an 1897 6'6'' Broadwood short grand which I HAVE to move on Monday. When I bought it a couple of years ago it cost twice as much to move as the purchase price as it is SO phenomenally heavy .. 4 experienced movers with lifting 'jacks'. I can't afford to pay another £400 -500 so deci...

The rambling nonsense is back .. 'Raymanboy' is his chosen nom de plume this time. Some rubbish about Fokkers .. ??????

Thanks to you both. I have gone down the ammonia route (a pretty smelly experience!) Things look SO much better! The rust spots have faded considerable with the application of a few dabs of bleach. There has certainly been a damp problem at some stage, though not severe enough to affect joints, vene...

I have stripped my soundboard using a scraper and fine sand paper. 2 problems remain. There are some small brown 'spots' where rust has dripped from the old strings (is it possible to bleach these ?) and, despite 3 days' work, there is still some lacquer in the grain giving a blotchy appearance when...

thanks. I'll get some practice in on ordinary wire so as not to waste the music wire.

Can anyone advise me about forming 'German' eyes? I am going to restring my 19th century grand with Puresound wire. I have experience of English eyes, but am having little success in making a well formed German type. I do not have specialist tools, but am a handy guy who enjoys a challenge. Thanks.

Has anyone any experience of the 'Stewart' piano? This is the Australian Concert Grand made by Wayne Stewart using the latest design technology and features such as verical bridge pins ... which are said to give far greater clarity in all registers and a more 'open', resonant sound. He is of the opi...

Bosendorfer?

Thanks for comments, David. Actually I played a Paris Erard yesterday which was awful .. it is in a National Trust property and has been 'restored' at considerable cost by a local guy. .. Oh dear! To me this is a great problem .. they are either suffering from 100years' worth of wear and tear, or ar...

I have just returned from a visit to Maison Erard in Amsterdam which was amazingly inspirational. Frits Janmaat, who is the world expert on Erards (particularly the Paris models) has over 40 of these wonderful beasts in stock in his very smart showroom/ concert venue. In my opinion any pianist worth...

So cynical!!!! I don't suppose anyone in the world will agree with me, but I'd rather spend £10,000 (if I had it to spend) on the Erard than some ghastly Yamaha.

I think potential bargains do slip through on Ebay from time to time. There is a satinwood art - case Erard which made just £80 at the Conway Hall sale last year, which then reappeared on ebay and made £400. It is now on sale at Besbrode Pianos in Leeds for £10,000

Mmmmm ... food for thought. I have read that Puresound is the way to go for my 1881 instrument. I have been 'chipping' it up to concert pitch and have noticed what appear to be false beats in some strings (I'm no expert) .. I presume this means it would benefit from new strings. The old ones are qui...

I have an old grand. Does restringing (if correct wire is used) substantially improve the sound assuming there are no other structural problems? Has anyone got experience of 'Puresound' strings?

How much difference does restringing make to the sound of an instrument of over 100 years old? I am aware of the need to use the correct product and not just treat it as if modern. Does anyone have experience of 'puresound' wire?

Hi. Does it say Erard London, or Paris? The serial numbers are different. If it's Paris, records exist to tell you something of its history. Unfortunately, not for London, though a fairly accurate estimate of the date of manufacture is possible. Erards were THE piano of the 19th century, the most ex...

I am very interested in Erards. I'd be interested to know more. I presume it's a grand? Made in London?

Yes, I forsee its being a labour of love ... and I do love this piano! I understand that Desfourges of Paris have original Erard machines for recovering hammers though I'm hoping that the old felt will serve for a while ... they have shaped up nicely. I think I probably need to make a trip to Amster...

Hi fellow fan ... It's good to know I'm not alone! Your comments reflect my own concerns. I can do the hoovering for myself. Thanks for your direction to the French website. I intend to send them details and photos. Mine is a magnificent model, not just the standard design. It's underdamped like mos...

After years of searching I have recently acquired a fantastic Erard Concert Grand. I love the variety and clarity of its tone colours and am very anxious that any resoration work should be entirely in keeping with its distinctive nature. There are specialist restorers in Holland and Germany, but I a...

Thanks Bill. How frustrating that there are no records. I have just bought the Erard concert grand posted on this website. When it is delivered I will see if I can find any date marks. Are you still collecting data? Are there any specialist restorers in Uk, like Maison Erard in Amsterdam?

Any information about Erard London? Do their business records exist? Where was the factory?

Please do not interpret my comment about germans as refering to people. I refer solely to pianos with the intention of challenging the dominant attitude and of stimulating discussion. I apologise unreservedly for any offense caused.

Having recently acquired an straight strung 6'3" Broadwood of 1896 - smart Georgian style mahogany case but with corresponding 18th century single action,I was expecting to be made dissatisfied with it when I played an overstrung and restrung Bechstein of similar age and size in a concert in ou...

Some weeks ago I sent him a response suggesting more technical info and less irrellevant stuff about Mendelssohn living in Leipzig when the piano he was trying to sell was early 20th century! I tried to be subtle, but he got very shirty and stroppy. I also alerted Ebay (mistakenly) to his 'Private' ...

Thanks for info. So you think that claims I have seen on some restorers websites about and 80% improvement in overall tone following restringing is exaggerated? I understand that 1890 - 1910 is the best period for Broadwood and that some very fine instruments were made then. I'm also aware that most...

Hi. I'm considering buying a Broadwood 6ft straight strung grand of c 1898. Beautiful looking piece with a gentle but pleasing sound (I prefer the rather old-fashioned clarity of tone to the volume of most overstrung grands). Of course it has the old Broadwood action which functions pretty well at t...