UK Piano Page Piano Forum

And the best British pianos in the 1960's? (question for Piano Guy)

What are members' opinions on the best new upright money can buy - assuming money is no object (and I am definitely not saying that is the case with me!) - Steinway Model K?

Thanks Barrie

Knight, Good piano if you get the K10 70's 80s know problems tubby bass in the first few by cords

Slightly off topic I know - but is there any way of remedying tubby bass in the first few bichords - such as string replacement etc?

Piano Guy - thanks very much for the info.

Just one other question if you don't mind - what are the actual specific differences between the two that generally makes the Renner of higher quality - presumably materials and workmanship - but what specifically?

Many Thanks

Could anyone advise on the essential differences between a Schwander (roller not simplex) action and a Renner action on a grand piano - perhaps with a link to diagrams? I am looking to potentially purchase a 1950's Welmar grand piano (any comments on quality of Welmar grands for this era?) with a Sc...

Thanks for advice Brian - I'll try Grotrian first and see how I get on.

I am wanting to replace the fallboard decal to my Grotrian Steinweg upright. Can anyone advise where I could purchase a replacement decal in the UK (or Europe) as the US piano supply houses do not seem to stock an exact replacement. (I suspect this is because I have a 'Th. Steinweg Nachfolger' which...

I intend in the medium term to french polish my upright piano and have bought various literature on how to french polish. Don't worry, I don't intend to start off on the piano but to practice on separate pieces of wood as all literature warns beginners against working on their pianos until they have...

Thanks Barrie for enlightening me - as informative as ever!

Does the barless construction mean that the 'peripheral' cast iron frame has to be more massive to compensate?

Regards

Barrie,

I know I'm probably being a bit of a thickie, but I visited the link and I don't get it - what does 'barless' actually mean - the Broadwood explanation is not that clear to me?

Regards

If you are buying from a shop then it will be more expensive, you are better buying private for recon projects I don’t know why but I had Bluthner on my mind in the last post I should have said Grotrian too much falling down water. Do you still think it's worth having a look at the Grotrian - even ...

Barrie, Once again, thanks for the prompt and very informative response. The Grotrian is underdampened - which is at least something in its favour. I realise the seller (trade) is trying to make a profit - fair enough - although perhaps the mark up is a trifle excessive!! I won't be viewing the pian...

Barrie - I am going to look at an 1893-1894 Grotrian Steinweg upright this weekend with a view to rebuilding myself (as a keen amateur). The project is not intended as a money making exercise but more to achieve a beautiful sounding instrument. Clearly as an amateur I would not be looking at replaci...

Bit of a vague/broad question, but can anyone advise on the quality of modern Bentley uprights - I'm potentially looking at a 115 cm 1996 upright - any good?

Once again Barrie - thanks for the advice - it is very much appreciated.

Regards

Ben Wimpenny

Thanks for all the advice Barrie - very interesting. Over the past few months I have been toying with the idea of buying an old 'banger' to practise on - not just for toning but also other aspects of piano repair/restoration - I think I'll go ahead now. Will any 'old banger do' or should I be lookin...

A Kemble Woburn is 110 cm/ 43.5 inches high

Ref. "new" 1994 Kemble thread - Barrie states that the bass treble crossover problem in Kembles of this period can be overcome by toning/voicing. I have a 1994 Kemble Woburn which I bought a couple of months ago - before that it was virtually unused - no hammer wear etc. I am generally ver...

Thanks very much Barrie for the info.

What - that's a new black polyester Kemble 131 with piano stool delivered to Sheffield?

Barrie, Thanks very much for asking - do you think there's any chance of Kemble responding over the weekend or will they now be 'shut down' until Monday? I am going to view the piano on Sunday morning - even if Kemble don't respond in time, is it safe to say that a Kemble is a Kemble - i.e that the ...

If it's any help the serial number is 237324 which according to my research dates it as having been manufactured in 1991-92 - I assume this doesn't help however re. model type - or does it?

Thanks for this Barrie. I will check the hammerheads, tuning and other matters - as listed in Larry Fine's 'The Piano Book'. Clearly the quality of the piano will depend on how it has been treated and how much it has been played over the last 14 years. What I'm really trying to find out is whether t...

I am considering purchasing a 14 year old Kemble Upright(Woburn model I believe?)and will be viewing this weekend. I have been attracted to the Kemble make by their current range. To my ear, most of the upright pianos in their current range produce a wonderfully mellow tone. Their new pianos also ap...