Joh. Langholdt taffelpiano

[fossil]

Hello, I am back on line again and was hoping someone would have information on this maker, the square piano is signed on the corner J. lankholdt serial number no 31. Possibly from Denmark originally? The Piano label says Joh.Langholdt piano forte fabrik, the key tips are wood not ivory, my searching has brought frustration! It has a steel hitch pin plate with 1 steel support bar to pin block area. Hope someone can help.

[Bill Kibby]

I was under the impression that would be by Joh. J. Langholdt piano-forte-fabrik, Hamburg, Germany? Is the spelling "Langholt"? And is Hamburg mentioned? Certainly, "piano-forte-fabrik" and "taffelpiano" would seem to suggest Germany rather than Denmark. If you would like to email photos to me, I may be able to deduce more.

[fossil]

Hello again,thank you for replying,yes the spelling is correct and yes it does say Hamburg, i was told on purchase of this item that it came from the denmark museum many years ago and they brought it over to Australia when the family migrated.The depth is two foot eight approx and six foot 3 inches long.A handsome piece with turned legs. I cannot at present send photos due to computer ignorance until family visit to show me! We have at present 200 + pianos in the collection all antique +. The desire to preserving and restoring these pieces of art is my lifes work .The hardest part is finding parts and repairing the items to their former glory with much care ,research and keeping them original. What i need is a retired wood carver! Can anyone recommend a book which describes the actions that had the grass hopper and no escapement systems for regulating etc.This will help me.
Bye for now.

[Bill Kibby]

I see what you meant now, the individual piano has been to Denmark. Good luck with all those pianos! We have twenty-odd, and can't see a day yet when they will get finished! I don't think you find that these early actions have a orecise science, they just need the art of an experienced technician. Is this a collection that is viewable? If so, perhaps you would email me.

[fossil]

Hello, I understand what you mean over regulating but being so fragile i was hoping for more understanding of the workings even when you have taken them apart to repair the vellum hinges etc i am finding they are slipping on the hoppers if i could study an original writings of the early models i would feel more comfortable.I have regulated the hoppers but have left well alone for now until i can be more confident as you get peeved fixing someones futile attempts.Can i ask all what were the ceramic like ovals that were attatched to a hand made piece of twisted wire and were like a joiner between the hitch pins tracer wire and the rest of the string.these being made i would suggest by a tradesman as they are well done. Over the collection being on public view i have not thought about as it has been a labour and still is of love .I cant move for pianos ,i offer the grand as beds for visitors much to their disgust as i cant fit in a spare bed. I am more than happy to offer parts free to people who may be desperate for the odd piece. Your collection i am sure would be of the most beautiful mr Kibby, mine is probably full of a fossils desire to save!

[Bill Kibby]

If you could email photos of the precise parts that are giving you problems, I may be able to help, but the difficulty is that there are hundreds of different types of piano action. I have no idea what these ceramic ovals are.

[fossil]

Thank you yet again for replying,i can send pictures when my family visit ,as i mentioned before i am an absolute twit when it comes to computers. As i live in a remote area family are not seen too often.Now over the little disks i mentioned i had a brain wave. I am assuming they have been put on when a wire has needed lengthening due to breakage or other reasons i cant think of just at the moment,these are on the hitch pin end of course and below the bridge.The work involved in making these twisted and disk end by hand wouldnt be done too often now? I have another piano which has a line of these that are like tiny electrical insulators but i cant remember off hand which piano its on, i will keep looking.