Abernathy Piano Co.?

[jem]

Is anyone familiar with the Abernathy Piano Co. (est. late 1800s)? I've run across an upright piano that was supposedly built in 1911 by this company, but I can't find anything about the company.

[Bill Kibby]

Is this an American Abernathy?

[jem]

I believe so. It is physically is the US now, so I would guess it was manufactured here.

[Bill Kibby]

I will have a look through my books, but we are on the wrong side of the ocean, perhaps local history in Abernathy could help?

[MarkGoodwinPianos]

Upload photos of the inside and out for comments about it's likely quality

[Bill Kibby]

I emailed Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, and Katie Sowder very kindly replied.

1884 Samuel W. Abernathy was established.
1906 Ad in directory: Manufacturers' Agents and Jobbers in Grand and Upright Pianos, Chapel and Parlor Organs, Cecilian Piano Players, offices at 804 Grand Avenue in the Kansas City Life Building here in Kansas City, MO.
1915 Located in the Shukert Building at 1115 Grand.
1916 Listed at 320 Ridge Boulevard.
By 1917 It appears the company was out of business.

[jem]

Thank you so much for the info!

[jem]

Had a chance to take a couple pics finally...

[jem]

Not fancy, but sturdy and in good shape.

[jem]

Yes, it's mine now! Decided it was too good a deal to pass up. Just need to get it tuned up now.

[MarkGoodwinPianos]

DId you pay more than $200 for it?
The photo of the inside makes it look like its a straight-strung overdamper which isn't great. However I'm loving that cabinet design. Very nice.

You say it needs tuning up. What makes you think it needs tuning?
If you play a C Major chord very loudly but let go instantly does it ring on much? Or does the sound stop immediately?

Either way it's a handsome piano

[jem]

Much, much less than $200.

Previous owner hadn't tuned it in many years, so I'm assuming it needs it.

Thanks!

[MarkGoodwinPianos]

That's a relief.
But brace yourself for the news that it may not tune up and that the dampers may be beyond use. Play a loud chord, then let go straight away. Does the piano silence itself immediately or ring on?

[Johnkie]

That's a relief.
But brace yourself for the news that it may not tune up and that the dampers may be beyond use. Play a loud chord, then let go straight away. Does the piano silence itself immediately or ring on?

I don't think this is an overdamper Mark - It looks it, at first glance, but if it were, it would be impossible to tune .... I think the photo shows the top edge of the top door rather than an overdamper rail. Who says a picture never lies eh ?

[Bill Kibby]

If there is a problem of any kind, we can't sort it out on the internet, a technician is needed on the spot. I imagine Mark was probably talking about the condition of the dampers, rather than their design. There is absolutely no reason to imagine that an American piano would have overdampers. As far as I am aware, they always favoured underdampers, in fact many American tuners have never seen overdampers, and don't know how to deal with them, whereas British tuners have to live with the beasts if they want to make a living. Can anybody tell me the very first use of underdampers in uprights? I think it was J.I. Hawkins, a Londoner working in the states around 1802.