Schiedmayer & Soehne, Stuttgart - Upright Piano

[Tahlin]

Hi guys,

Just trying to get an idea of how old a piano is - pretty much the only info I have at the moment (as it's at my parent's place - they're sending it to me) is that it's a "Schiedmayer & Soehne, Stuttgart" Upright Piano with a number of 29709 (not sure where this came from - i don't have physical access to the piano yet as it's 800km away ).

I've got a couple of photos (i actually have a heap more pictures of all the information... just on a camera that i can't seem to locate at the moment!).

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/2224 ... 720gm5.jpg
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4234/1208080718ne8.jpg

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

-T

[Bill Kibby]

The number suggests 1911.

[Tahlin]

Thanks for the reply : I know you're not able to give valuations, but do you think it would be worth getting someone local to check it over? It's in very good condition, has only been tuned once (and is still in tune) as far as I know since being in my family (about 30 years) - there's just a couple of small nicks and scrapes (not noticable) from moving it. The main reason i'm considering it is for insurance, but I don't want to spend money on someone to give a valuation if it's most likely not worth it. Thanks.

[Bill Kibby]

When you move it, the piano will need to be tuned, so why not ask your tuner?

[joseph]

My guess is it won't be worth more than 500 UKP because old pianos just don't fetch high prices when you can get a new piano that works for not very much these days. Uou probably want to get it tuned more than once every century though. Some of these pianos have a beautiful tone even if they're not valuable, or technically all that sound so don't loose heart over it.

[Tahlin]

Ha ha I know : I'm not fussed about the value - it holds a lot more sentimental value than anything (I wouldn't ever sell it) - but I want to have it covered by insurance.

Thanks to those that have replied.

[Tahlin]

Just curious about this - why would it need to be re-tuned? I understand for wooden framed pianos, as the frame moves in transit - but only the external part of this piano is wood - the whole internal frame is solid cast-iron. I'll obviously be able to tell after it's been moved whether it needs to be re-tuned or not, but was just curious if being a cast-iron frame makes a difference.

[Bill Kibby]

Iron frames are there to help to resist larger tensions, and therefore allow improved tonal quality. Piano frames are holding a tension of several tons. If they MOVED, we'd be in big trouble. It's rare to find a piano that will hold in tune and stay up to the same pitch for 6 months. All pianos need tuning, especially after the vibration of moving them on a lorry, then putting them into a new environment. Don't go by what it sounds like, check the pitch against a tuning fork or electronic standard.

[Tahlin]

Ok, thanks