Search found 1704 matches
- by Colin Nicholson
- 13 Sep 2016, 13:06
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Looking after your instrument in the heat
- Replies: 3
- Views: 10972
Re: Looking after your instrument in the heat
Pianos need to be kept in a moderate environment during storage to avoid damage to the wrest plank, wooden and metal components inside the mechanism. Temperature between 15 - 20 degrees celcius / 24 hours a day Humidity around 50% - 60% / 24 hours a day. Purchase a digital hygrometer/ thermometer to...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 12 Sep 2016, 17:11
- Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
- Topic: What does + mean?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 14303
Re: What does + mean?
or you could blow a whistle or ding a bell
- by Colin Nicholson
- 11 Sep 2016, 23:34
- Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
- Topic: What does + mean?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 14303
Re: What does + mean?
I've looked in the Oxford Companion/ couple of music dictionaries and nothing there under ornaments. However, "Plus" means "more" in French.... so could be an early accent marking. So.... I opened up "Score Writer" (my old music writing software), and clicked through so...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 10 Sep 2016, 18:55
- Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
- Topic: What does + mean?
- Replies: 5
- Views: 14303
Re: What does + mean?
I've seen it on an old Diabelli duet.... means to use the thumb replacing the number 1.
- by Colin Nicholson
- 09 Sep 2016, 15:37
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: T Hammer or Tuning Lever Poll?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 12042
- by Colin Nicholson
- 09 Sep 2016, 14:10
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: T Hammer or Tuning Lever Poll?
- Replies: 4
- Views: 12042
T Hammer or Tuning Lever Poll?
Received an unusual email asking some advice about tuning a Knight upright..
scenario.... pins very tight/ unable to be turned with BOTH hands / kept in a cold church.
uses a T hammer (and swears by it)....
Feel free to state the obvious.
scenario.... pins very tight/ unable to be turned with BOTH hands / kept in a cold church.
uses a T hammer (and swears by it)....
Feel free to state the obvious.
- by Colin Nicholson
- 06 Sep 2016, 16:35
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Schiedmayer & Son Grand
- Replies: 5
- Views: 9306
Re: Schiedmayer & Son Grand
I can provide an example of the serial number location here, first photo ... http://www.aatuners.com/restoration-ii-grands.html It is possible the soundboard may be covered with a thick coat of dust (covering the numbers), but on some Schiedmayers, the serial number is under the bass strings, mid wa...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 06 Sep 2016, 09:44
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
- Replies: 23
- Views: 32667
Re: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
Hi Ivan Some interesting photos there. I think the grey/faun strip of felt is original (or way back in time) as both front rail pins would have had this arrangement for black & white keys. One long length of each, uncut, not nailed and holes punched out for the pins. Quite common on some Schiedm...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 03 Sep 2016, 15:50
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Quick question regarding insurance costs when moving a piano
- Replies: 2
- Views: 9352
Re: Quick question regarding insurance costs when moving a p
I feel this is a specialised subject that will need to be discussed primarily with your own private household insurance company. Cannot comment on if the excess is reasonable or over the top because we know nothing about the piano/ condition/ age/ location/ risk area, and nor do we know the length o...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 30 Aug 2016, 14:42
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: George Russell piano for refurbishment
- Replies: 5
- Views: 18498
Re: George Russell piano for refurbishment
ha ha! //// very good
- by Colin Nicholson
- 27 Aug 2016, 10:30
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: George Russell piano for refurbishment
- Replies: 5
- Views: 18498
Re: George Russell piano for refurbishment
Not for me ta.... Not the place to advertise a piano, even if free. Try Gumtree or Ebay. // or on this forum there is a "Pianos for sale by the general public" section - look to your left. Regrettably though, these pianos fetch very little money - anything from £0 - £40.... if lucky. One o...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 26 Aug 2016, 23:22
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: George Russell piano for refurbishment
- Replies: 5
- Views: 18498
Re: George Russell piano for refurbishment
If you post some photos (explained at the top of the piano advice page), please include one of the whole mechanism.... remove the front fascia panel completely along with the fallboard (lid that covers the keys), and take a clear focussed picture of the main mechanism so it just fits into the view f...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 26 Aug 2016, 01:13
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Yamaha C3 XA tuning problems
- Replies: 3
- Views: 16449
Re: Yamaha C3 XA tuning problems
We sometimes have to do some detective work and guess work to answer these types of enquiries. Firstly.... some questions : 1. What is the age of the piano (from being brand new) ? 2. How long did each tuning take to complete? 3. Where are you in the world? 4. How do you monitor the piano's room hum...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 26 Aug 2016, 00:59
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: New Acoustic Piano
- Replies: 7
- Views: 17603
Re: New Acoustic Piano
Vernon.... I can't speak for all Kawai models, but mine has an Indonesia label on the back. Next time I clean behind, I'll look in more detail. Fabiogrs93...... you need to go for a piano you are happy with, we can't decide. Choosing a piano can take several weeks, so the one that has the right touc...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 22 Aug 2016, 00:37
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: New Acoustic Piano
- Replies: 7
- Views: 17603
Re: New Acoustic Piano
Hi there, What do you mean by "quality" ? (structure? / sound?/ mechanism? // other? ) In my eyes, all Yamaha and Kawai pianos are made to a high standard. One of the main differences between certain models is some Kawai models are shorter, so bass not so good.... the K5 offers a good qual...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 17 Aug 2016, 00:06
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Frequencies
- Replies: 19
- Views: 30449
Re: Frequencies
All the above mentioned I agree 100% Regarding the pitch.... yes, this is perfectly normal for a new piano to drop off the production line, and tuned purposefully sharp - done for a good reason. (Whatever you do, don't try to get it back to A440). When new strings are fitted, they actually can take ...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 12 Aug 2016, 08:42
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
- Replies: 23
- Views: 32667
Re: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
All bass strings (old/ new/ emergency) have an inner hexacore.... this is the six sided shape of the inner high tensile steel for the copper winding to wrap around - if you look very (VERY!) closely, as the "round" steel starts from the tuning pin coil, then enters the bass windings, and l...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 10 Aug 2016, 00:15
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
- Replies: 23
- Views: 32667
Re: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
Good luck with the tuning etc .... glad it got there ok. Remember how old your piano is.... ? I think we keep forgetting! .... rather than smash the car window each time, the keys are usually under the sun visor.... yes, the typical scene from Terminator 2 !! .... you might wonder what I'm on about?...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 07 Aug 2016, 22:33
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
- Replies: 31
- Views: 35568
Re: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
You need to think more about the functionality rather than originality now about this piano. The condition is not that good in my eyes from what I have seen. The few broken key tops you have shown cannot be repaired.... too many chips and most of the lips missing, and would look like a dog's dinner ...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 06 Aug 2016, 00:36
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
- Replies: 23
- Views: 32667
Re: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
Well done NewAge for spotting that! .... I'm becoming redundant now! I must say though that throughout this post, I want to congratulate Ivan on not only providing good quality and clear photos - a great example!, but they have been taken in such a way to progressively move onto various subjects we ...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 04 Aug 2016, 23:45
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
- Replies: 23
- Views: 32667
Re: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
All looking good. Yes, the punched numbers on the hammer butts & keys are all original.... can never be replaced, and would be like hen's teeth trying to get a spare hammer butt. Sometimes the sides of the hammer heads are also numbered, but not as reliable because new hammers have various spare...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 04 Aug 2016, 15:06
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: My Grandmothers Brinsmead #53083
- Replies: 20
- Views: 25654
Re: My Grandmothers Brinsmead Piano
The number suggests around 1904. Brinsmead submitted their serial numbers every five years from the 1860s to the 1950s, few done annually after that. #45000 1900 #54200 1905 A quick calculation will tell you just under 10,000 pianos were made in 5 years, so roughly estimated about 2,000 per year. If...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 03 Aug 2016, 23:55
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
- Replies: 23
- Views: 32667
Re: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
Looks really good from here, and some money has been spent on it. Hammers look incredibly clean, tapes good and replaced. but can't see the hammer balance leathers (directly in front of the back checks with olive coloured felt).... but I suspect this piano may have had a refurb at some stage. (edite...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 03 Aug 2016, 12:08
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
- Replies: 23
- Views: 32667
Re: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
Any decent piano tuner will be able to tackle the odd repair if needed. Some technicians may walk away, some may take on the job.... 50/50 chance. Ask your tuner. There is nothing special about the Bluthner over-damped action - perhaps a hindrance if anything! I believe the only "patent" t...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 02 Aug 2016, 00:41
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
- Replies: 31
- Views: 35568
Re: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
I'm not a French polisher by trade, but done a few courses and picked up methods from others in the trade. There is actually no such thing as "black" when it comes to French polishing.... the term is "ebonise" - and is a very very dark brown (almost black) pigment powder mixed wi...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 02 Aug 2016, 00:21
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
- Replies: 23
- Views: 32667
Re: Bluthner 1890s Upright Dampers
As Vernon says, hammers look OK, and grooves are normal. Perhaps a re-face at some stage. Remember that this piano is over 120 years old, so there will always be issues with over dampers, even after adjustments are made - they can be "improved" though. Problem is not so much the damper hea...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 01 Aug 2016, 08:39
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
- Replies: 31
- Views: 35568
Re: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
Here is a technique known as "Faux ebonising" .... quick & easy, and doesn't require multiple layers. Alex starts by sanding down wood for a good "key" (clean with meths after).... then apply blackboard (matt) paint - 2 coats. When dried, apply 2 coats of French polish. If yo...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 29 Jul 2016, 08:47
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
- Replies: 31
- Views: 35568
Re: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
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 started to type this previously, but deleted it afterwards.... but after seeing you saying it.... yes, I myself have other work on and projects, so I'm going to sign off this topic now and...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 28 Jul 2016, 14:22
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
- Replies: 31
- Views: 35568
Re: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
You've gone well off the beaten track here! .... and heading into the outback. Serial number suggests 1901 in my book. The "Factory number" will be a cabinet number, and is usually duplicated/ punched on the reverse (raw wood) side of parts. This set of numbers may be punched into the top ...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 28 Jul 2016, 11:40
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
- Replies: 31
- Views: 35568
Re: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
What are the pictures meant to tell us? Legs look original to me/ square tapered with correct castors. Clues will be in the wood shadows/ previous stain lines underneath and bolt fixtures. Have you got a grand raiser? .... if so, jack up one corner, remove a leg, and the serial number may be printed...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 26 Jul 2016, 14:45
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
- Replies: 31
- Views: 35568
Re: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
I thought you were experienced in this work.... and did the same to a Bluthner?? .... so you should know the score by now. There is no "professional" or valid support or explanation for this kind of behaviour in restoring pianos - this is one of the main reasons I always avoid a restoratio...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 26 Jul 2016, 10:12
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
- Replies: 31
- Views: 35568
Re: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
you are doing the work, not me ....
what do YOU think?
what do YOU think?
- by Colin Nicholson
- 22 Jul 2016, 17:25
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Petrof Upright 1935-1940 Rough Guide Value for insurance
- Replies: 1
- Views: 7874
Re: Petrof Upright 1935-1940 Rough Guide Value for insurance
Thanks for your enquiry. We are unable to give valuations on this forum (as stated above in the blue box), no matter how rough. For an insurance valuation on your piano, you will need to contact either a "piano auctioneer" (who only auction pianos), or a piano retailer/ piano shop, and ask...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 20 Jul 2016, 13:56
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
- Replies: 31
- Views: 35568
Re: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
You must have a lot of patience to do this.... these days, if I see bits & pieces missing, especially pedal lyres/ proper music rests.... I just walk away - too much hassle. When my Mother used to live in the Scottish Borders 2 years ago, in the village pub/hotel, the landlady overheard our conv...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 20 Jul 2016, 11:21
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
- Replies: 31
- Views: 35568
Re: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
Here is a suggestion if you cannot find a bracket.... (see diagram I knocked up in 5 mins below) The bracket is very well designed, I've seen them before, but of course never taken any notice of them if working. Maybe they are unique to Pleyel? However.... very highly over-engineered, and the bracke...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 19 Jul 2016, 12:09
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
- Replies: 31
- Views: 35568
Re: Need part(s) for 1900 Pleyel grand piano
Hello Bernt You'll never find parts like that anywhere in the world unless you get a donor piano with similar parts. Yes, you will need to custom make parts 2, 3 and 4. To my knowledge there are 2 types of lyre stay rods available on the market (1&2 below), but you may need to go through a trade...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 15 Jul 2016, 17:36
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Bremar piano
- Replies: 3
- Views: 7286
- by Colin Nicholson
- 15 Jul 2016, 10:33
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: anyone know about piano C. H. Bornkessel - Sangerhausen
- Replies: 3
- Views: 9600
Re: anyone know about piano C. H. Bornkessel - Sangerhausen
Not heard of that name, so could be a "Stencil Piano" Usual scenarios to watch out for in old Pre war pianos are.... 1. Unable/ difficult to be tuned. 2. Loose tuning pins / cracks in wrest plank 3. (more common for over-damped) .... ringing on dampers / warped rail or dampers lifting too ...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 04 Jul 2016, 13:25
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Broadwood bought at an auction
- Replies: 12
- Views: 17889
Re: Broadwood bought at an auction
Welcome to the forum badhuis, A very attractive looking piano and will stand proud in any home. The brass candlesticks (sconces) missing will be difficult to replicate exactly for the period, but I believe here on the forum shop, they sell them.... https://www.piano-tuners.org/piano-accessories-shop...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 03 Jul 2016, 08:48
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: This look like a good deal?
- Replies: 2
- Views: 9353
Re: This look like a good deal?
Ron, Go for it.... take their hand off if it sounds & plays well. Pictures are just cosmetic, and don't mean a thing/ tune..touch/ tone/ sound/ see warranty/ tuning invoices etc Probably played little if elderly..... but get it checked if in a rest home/ very warm room - wrest plank issues? Reas...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 03 Jul 2016, 08:41
- Forum: Piano History
- Topic: Piano Times
- Replies: 2
- Views: 5205
Re: Piano Times
A good year was 1964 !
- by Colin Nicholson
- 25 Jun 2016, 08:06
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Been offered a piano
- Replies: 3
- Views: 8021
Re: Been offered a piano
Allison, Depending on what you are selling it for and if tuned or not - a tuning alone does not mean it is in good condition & ready to go. The piano looks to be in reasonable condition - but we can't see the action, or know the strength of the tuning pins. On your price tag/ shop label, you sho...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 23 Jun 2016, 16:07
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: DIY pitch raise by a semitone - good idea?
- Replies: 3
- Views: 7606
Re: DIY pitch raise by a semitone - good idea?
No one can tell you here if a DIY tuning will harm your piano, or if it will work.... it depends on the condition, stability and structure/ torque of the tuning pins, soundboard, bridges and wrest plank - hence a piano tuner is specially trained to assess these situations prior to a pitch change, an...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 23 Jun 2016, 08:42
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: additional high pitch bell sound to some notes when playing
- Replies: 12
- Views: 18835
Re: additional high pitch bell sound to some notes when play
It is not in a piano tuners job description (or CV)/ or expectations to sort out problems like this / some customers expect this and think it's part of their job - it's not!.... could take hours of labour & love to sort out, no matter how expert they are, and in most cases, ringing noises are le...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 22 Jun 2016, 23:25
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: Been offered a piano
- Replies: 3
- Views: 8021
Re: Been offered a piano
Hi Allison, Rogers are a well known make.... British made. Age looks about 1920s - 1930s. The serial number will be inside, possibly near bass strings on the soundboard, or near the tuning pins - and 5 digits. If 1920s, it will start with a number 3 - hence 3XXXX, and if 1930s, will start with a 4. ...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 21 Jun 2016, 00:14
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: additional high pitch bell sound to some notes when playing
- Replies: 12
- Views: 18835
Re: additional high pitch bell sound to some notes when play
Just another suggestion/ question? What type of flooring do you have where the piano is situated? If carpet, then the ringing will be remote.... a blanket may soften the sound, but it won't change the pitch. If laminated flooring? ...... then I reckon that could be the starting point. Wooden floors ...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 20 Jun 2016, 16:32
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: type of glue for bridle staps
- Replies: 13
- Views: 26344
Re: type of glue for bridle staps
The bridle tapes do various jobs, one in particular is when the left (half blow) pedal is used. When the left 'soft' pedal is pressed, the crank lever moves the front hinged section of the hammer rest rail forward (or if a Otto Higel action, the whole rail moves on pivoted levers).. this in turn &qu...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 18 Jun 2016, 00:21
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: additional high pitch bell sound to some notes when playing
- Replies: 12
- Views: 18835
Re: additional high pitch bell sound to some notes when play
Vernon is spot on.... I've experienced this, and a sod to sort out. If it played OK in the shop, then ringing bells in your home - then something in your home is to blame, not the piano. Anything loose/ dangling / (fire companion set?) / old radiator? .... anything that hangs or is loose. Sympatheti...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 17 Jun 2016, 00:41
- Forum: Learning & Teaching Piano
- Topic: What to play for pleasure - Grade 4 / 5
- Replies: 8
- Views: 23936
Re: What to play for pleasure - Grade 4 / 5
To be honest, I rarely order single sheet music unless it is a request prior to a wedding, then I might run off the free page on musicroom.com or try and find a free PDF copy.... if one of my students wants a copy, I might then transcribe it to a different grade/ standard. For example, another popul...
- by Colin Nicholson
- 16 Jun 2016, 07:55
- Forum: Piano Advice
- Topic: W.Hoffmann P126
- Replies: 2
- Views: 10246
Re: W.Hoffmann P126
Any request like this needs to be backed up with the relevant link/ price tag / photos & general information about the piano (for comparisons). Just by stating a piano name and number doesn't necessarily rely on a book of information. In other words, whatever you have seen - we need to see.
- Main Site Menu
-
Home
Piano Tuners
Piano Makers
Piano Accessories Shop
Piano Teachers
Piano Accompanists
Piano Entertainers
Piano Shops
Piano Removals
French Polishers
Piano Rehearsal Rooms
Piano Hire
Pianos For Sale
Piano Parts
Piano History
Piano Forum
Piano Music
Piano Events
Advertise
Advanced Search Contact Site Admin
Help with a listing
Sitemap
Main Terms And Conditions
-
- Recent Listings