Anyone for a little DIY?

David B · Post by **David B** » 29 Oct 2008, 17:37

Oh, how the mighty are fallen

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DANEMANN-GRAND-PI ... 286.c0.m14

mdw · Post by **mdw** » 29 Oct 2008, 18:47

Why the hell do people buy pianos like that just to let them end up in that condition. If you cant look after it sell it to someone who can. Not sure the concrete block leg conversion is going to catch on.

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 29 Oct 2008, 19:54

can it be saved and would it be a good piano if it were?

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 29 Oct 2008, 22:45

joseph wrote:can it be saved and would it be a good piano if it were?

Its a Damonn they made good school pianos well when they did not use Bruntons wire but their grands !

I never sat in fount of a good one - but I never seen a new one just tired old ones

Barrie,

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 29 Oct 2008, 23:00

can it be saved

Dunno, but I love how they see the fact that it comes with all three of its legs as a selling point.

There's something so heart-wrenching about seeing it in that condition and in those surroundings; I'm almost tempted to buy it just to give it a hug and a roof over its head in its twilight years. Poor little thing.

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 30 Oct 2008, 07:43

joseph wrote:can it be saved and would it be a good piano if it were?

Most things can be saved, but the cost would outweigh its value. It would be a cracking piano in my opinion, it's a 9-footer of a Danemann, and it may not even be that old. I'd guess it's post-war.

Get it restrung with decent wire rather than the Brunton's and it could well be a wonderful instrument...... Although restringing is only part of the process!

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 30 Oct 2008, 17:41

yeah - it looks like a job for colin leverett! Still, a decent concert grand for 15K (rebuild costs) is pretty good! not that i have the space. or the 15k. oh well, perhaps Openwood can save it for his school!

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 30 Oct 2008, 22:14

You know, I AM actually daft enough to put a bid in. Trouble is, I'd need somewhere to store it until I could afford the restoration costs and, as I'm based on this flippin' rock in the English Channel, that's more money than I have at my disposal right now. It would be wonderful to see it brought back to working order though, wouldn't it. Oh heck, internal struggle going on......

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 30 Oct 2008, 22:21

Here's a thing:

back in my home town there is a Steinway Style 2 (7 feet 2, predecessor to model B/C), from around 1884 sitting in a gym hall. It has been totally vandalized, people have carved their names on to the lid.

Its an 85 note model, 2 pedals, and you know what, it still has that old Steinway golden sound. (ok i know that bluthner were 'the golden tone' but you know what I mean)

the action is playable but would need replaced or rebuilt, and it needs a new soundboard because there are so many splits and cracks on the old one, it looks like the grand canyon.

It hasn't been tuned for 35 years and its still almost at concert pitch and almost in tune!! (thats Steinway for you!)

I offered the council some money for it but they're refusing to sell it, they don't even want to auction it. They just cant be bothered going through the paper work. meanwhile the glorious old piano sits decaying in the corner.

Its a travesty.

Nutroast · Post by **Nutroast** » 31 Oct 2008, 12:28

What a sad image! It's just 5 miles up the road from where I live.... but I don't have the space either.

Jan

David B · Post by **David B** » 01 Nov 2008, 00:54

OK, I have thrown caution to the wind, put my money where my mouth is, and.................

oh God what will I DO with it?

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 01 Nov 2008, 12:47

Good on ya! Personally I think it should be the UK Piano Page mascot!

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 01 Nov 2008, 12:55

Restore it and then I will give a concert on it.

Brumtuner · Post by **Brumtuner** » 01 Nov 2008, 15:52

As I live halfway between Dundee and the buyer, you'd better keep it at my house, after it's restoration, obviously.

David B · Post by **David B** » 01 Nov 2008, 19:38

joseph wrote:Restore it and then I will give a concert on it.

Do we get free tickets? Brothers in arms and all that.....

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 02 Nov 2008, 02:02

Imagine if you guys restored it between you - that would be an amazing project.

David B · Post by **David B** » 02 Nov 2008, 20:46

If I get it, it will be restored; and then for sale; may be!

Look, I'm a pianist.

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 03 Nov 2008, 01:18

since you are a pianist we'll do a gala concert on it

to raise back the money you spent restoring it

Nutroast · Post by **Nutroast** » 04 Nov 2008, 11:54

David, were you really the winning bidder?

What a great project for someone.

Jan

Brumtuner · Post by **Brumtuner** » 04 Nov 2008, 17:29

The winning bidder is selling this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tudor-Farmhouse-s ... dZViewItem

Presumably to pay for the Danemann restoration.

Nutroast · Post by **Nutroast** » 04 Nov 2008, 18:49

Pah! Got that in my back pocket, wouldn't bother

David B · Post by **David B** » 22 Apr 2009, 09:24

OK, update

The old girl has been rebuilt now, and though I haven't seen her yet, apparently she is a cracker

Finishing off, regulating and voicing still to be done. If anyone knows of anyone looking for a "new" concert grand, please pm me

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 22 Apr 2009, 10:02

Well done, David! Will you post pics when she's finished? Would love to see it. What a fantastic project - how much is she selling for?

David B · Post by **David B** » 22 Apr 2009, 10:12

Openwood wrote:how much is she selling for?

I'm open to offers

Given that the cost of a new Yam C7 has virtually doubled in the last two years, this jobby will be a bargain

David B · Post by **David B** » 25 Apr 2009, 22:39

OK, so here it is:

http://s700.photobucket.com/albums/ww7/ ... nemann.jpg

David B · Post by **David B** » 25 Apr 2009, 23:04

And........first prize goes to .......Piano Guy.........

he was (again) right...... this Danemann is a cracker...the bass has REAL power and the treble sings out...

looks likely that I might keep this piano and sell the other........

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 26 Apr 2009, 09:29

can I have a go? Please!?

David B · Post by **David B** » 27 Apr 2009, 11:52

joseph wrote: can I have a go? Please!?

Certainly, feel free

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 27 Apr 2009, 19:39

Looks great.

These things surely can sound awesome if well sorted.

Congrats!

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 27 Apr 2009, 22:23

What a wonderful and unexpected development in the life of this piano! And full marks to David for having the balls to take it on. I appreciate it must have cost a shed load of cash to achieve, but seeing that piano back in mint condition? Priceless!! If you ever do any sound files of it I'd love to hear it in action.

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 30 Apr 2009, 20:16

Hey David, Is that you selling a little black Bluthner

There is one the same at St Paul's in Dundee, although it's in original condition, other than it was re strung about 30 years ago or something. Even though it's past it, it still has the wow factor in the sound! I can dream

Out of interest, what kind of action is in your Bluthner? and what is it like? (as in heavy/light) I want one . . . . but neither space nor cash permits it.

Who rebuilt it?

David B · Post by **David B** » 01 May 2009, 09:27

Now, now Joseph, as to space, a concert grand really doesn't take up that much more room than an "ordinary" grand , and as to price, well the whole country is up to its eyes in hock, why should you be any different?

Both pianos were rebuilt by Hurstwood Farm. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

The action on the Bluthner is a roller action, not the "patent" Bluthner. It is very smooth and easy to play, having been so well rebuilt and regulated (touch weight of 52g in the bass to 42 in the top).

When I was 15 I would have given my eye teeth to have any grand - now I have two superb concert grands, what a blow......

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 01 May 2009, 18:02

My music room is 11 feet by 11 feet, and the turning space in my entry hall is only 7 feet, and the window is too small to get a piano in. If you could get it IN the room, it would fit when it was there!

As to the price, its actually a very good price for a 9 footer. I will stick with my two 6 footers just now, but good luck selling whichever one you sell. i have a soft spot for Bluthners, so I would probably keep that one! But I haven't tried the Danemann so I can't comment.

joseph · Post by **joseph** » 22 Aug 2012, 11:05

what happened to your concert grands?

David B · Post by **David B** » 22 Aug 2012, 17:16

I still have them both

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