STRAD

[Geminoz]

Hi again
My sister has acquired an old piano...I have told her to come and look at this site, but in the meantime thought I would ask if you can help her.
I have told her to have a good look at all the places you suggest for the serial number and she says there are no numbers anywhere she can see.
She said the only name on the piano, under the lid is STRAD.
The piano has 3 pedals.
Any suggestions???

[Bill Kibby]

There was a Strad Piano Co. established in Cincinnatti in 1860, and there also appear to have been Strad pianos made in Scotland around the 1880s, but I have no further details yet. What can you tell me? And in what part of the world are you?

[Geminoz]

Hi Bill...wow quick resopnse.... We are in Australia.
I will have to ask my sister some more questions...have been wondering if she actually lifted the top lid ...or just the keyboard lid will keep you posted if I get more information.

[Bill Kibby]

That's interesting the last one I heard of was "built in Scotland late 1880's, and it was shipped out to Australia in the early 1900's". I would be pleased to find out anything I can about it.

[Geminoz]

Will certainly keep you posted. Do you have any idea where it was shipped to? My sister is in the Brisbane area in Queensland...I am currently in Perth, Western Australia.
Any idea where the serial number would be on a STRAD?
and are we talking possible antique here or just another old piano?

[Bill Kibby]

No more details yet, it could well be an "antique" in the sense of being over a hundred old. Numbers are no help, since nothing is published about these pianos. If you press email, and send some photos, I could tell you more, or compile a complete report. See "Reports" on my website.

[Geminoz]

Hi again
A little more info from my sister on her STRAD.
It has 3 pedals...the middle pedal has a square padded hole, part of the original design, which allows you to put your foot on the pedal and slide to the right and hold it down in the wedged-out bit.
Apparently the pedal was wedged in there when she got it and the keys were hard to play, but when she investigated she found the pedal was wedged, since moving it out of the wedge she says the piano has a beautiful sound, very like a grand.
The piano has 85 keys.
She can't find a stamped number but said there is a hand written number in the top right hand corner which looks like it has been there for a long time. The number is 5896.
I have asked her to take some photos of the piano, and to include photos of the strings and action if possible. When I receive these I will get them to you.

[Bill Kibby]

I look forward to seeing it. 85 notes was the normal range for british pianos over a very long period, and hook-down middle pedals are not uncommon. Numbers don't help you, but may be interesting to me if we can date the piano by some other method.

[Geminoz]

Hi again Bill

Have just received a series of pics my sister took of her STRAD...I am about to email them to you...let me know if they come through ok.

[Geminoz]

Thank you for the advice Bill....I have passed it on to my sister and advised her to have a tuner come and look at the piano.
I will let you know if she finds out anything more.
In the meantime thanks again for your help.

[nathan_lee123]

Hi i was wondering if you much abot these i think but research that it isnt a srad like it says on 1 bit of the piano i think it is a Aelian. It was allso made in the usa around 1912 or 1911 would you no anything about it or no how much it is worth ?? thanks

[Bill Kibby]

I think I have already answered this, and as for value, look at the very first item at the top of the forum.

[Tom Tuner]

Strad was one of the names used by WurliTzer, especially on player pianos. The locking middle pedal was probably for a muffler rail or a "mandolin" attachment.

Tom Tuner

P.S. That's Cincinnati (one 'T').