An opportunity may be arising for me to acquire an upright piano that, whilst apparently quite modern, has been stored in a large garage behind lots of a tables and chairs for quite some time.
Apparently the pianos (there are two to choose from) are quite out of tune and I would have to assume that they have been stored there for quite some time.
If it is true that if the pianos are fairly modern (say 40 years old or less? metal framed?), is it possible that they could become a usable piano, and is it worth getting a professional to look at the pianos if one would be available?
I am quite happy to accept that numerous tunings will be necessary, although I do really want to end up with something that is concert pitch - I am certainly not interested in an old piano under any circumstances, for that reason.
I will certainly provide more info as and when it is available!
Thanks for any help.
CB
Modern pianos stored in garage
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Chuck Bugle
- New Member
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 31 Oct 2006, 21:05
Modern pianos stored in garage
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I like Pianos,
But I'm in love with a Joanna....
I like Pianos,
But I'm in love with a Joanna....
Hmmmmm.... Tricky.
First point is that if the pianos are around 40 years old and British, they run the risk of being built in the "Crap Glue" era of English piano hammer construction. The damp encountered in the average garage will cause the hammer felts to become unstuck from the hammer cores. If this has happened, forget it. They'll need a new set of hammers to be of any use at all. Otherwise, a gentle acclimatisation will be needed to start the recommissioning process. Don't drag the piano indoors and 'dry it out' with severe heat, but gradually introduce heat into the room, and don't allow it to become hotter than the room would normally.
After a month or so yes, you should enlist the help of your local tuner who can then assess what work other than tuning needs to be carried out. They may need a bit of action recentring, and will certainly need regulation.
It is perfectly feasible that little or no major work will be necessary, but obviously the condition the things were in before they were incarcerated is of paramount importance.
First point is that if the pianos are around 40 years old and British, they run the risk of being built in the "Crap Glue" era of English piano hammer construction. The damp encountered in the average garage will cause the hammer felts to become unstuck from the hammer cores. If this has happened, forget it. They'll need a new set of hammers to be of any use at all. Otherwise, a gentle acclimatisation will be needed to start the recommissioning process. Don't drag the piano indoors and 'dry it out' with severe heat, but gradually introduce heat into the room, and don't allow it to become hotter than the room would normally.
After a month or so yes, you should enlist the help of your local tuner who can then assess what work other than tuning needs to be carried out. They may need a bit of action recentring, and will certainly need regulation.
It is perfectly feasible that little or no major work will be necessary, but obviously the condition the things were in before they were incarcerated is of paramount importance.
-
Chuck Bugle
- New Member
- Posts: 2
- Joined: 31 Oct 2006, 21:05
