Stroud Piano

[bugalugs]

Hi

I bought my Stroud piano from a second hand shop a few years ago. I would love to hear if anyone can give me any history about it, and perhaps its age.

It has "Stroud" printed on the front middle of the piano, and "G.J. Grice, Ltd Brisbane" on the front right hand side.

Embossed onto the brass plate inside is the word STROUD.

I can't seem to find a plate anywhere on it, but found the numbers 20025.

Photos of it can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42079240@N ... otostream/

Cheers,
Sharon

[Bill Kibby]

Nobody anywhere can trace the life histories of pianos, but if that is the serial number it suggests a date before 1929 if that helps. I would guess it was a twenties piano. I do not have files on Brisbane dealers, but local history over there may help. Have a look at my Datemarks page at http://www.pianogen.org

You didn't mention that it is a player piano, is the roll player still in there and working?

[bugalugs]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for that. It's not a roll player piano, just a regular upright. The two sliding doors on the front open and allow you to see the insde workings of the piano - sounds wonderful when you play with them open! I've included another photo of the inside at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42079240@N ... otostream/

[Bill Kibby]

It's an ex-player then, the doors were for the roll, and the bellows pedals. The dimensions are not those of a normal upright, the space in front of the action is for the player gubbins. There are probably pipe holes through the keybed at the ends.

[bugalugs]

Interesting! Do many Stroud pianos get changed from a player, to an ex-player?

[Bill Kibby]

Many player pianos, regardless of make, reach a state where they are not considered worth repairing, and the player mechanism is ripped out, leaving a reasonably good piano, but bulkier than usual cases. I would imagine the restoration is becoming more worthwhile as less are surviving.

[Pianomate]

Bill - I know a few player enthusiasts. Restoration depends on the quality of the player mehcanism. Reproducing pianos with Duo Art actions and the like are usually more sought after and considered restoring, but some of the basic player actions aren't at the moment.

My tech always leaves player actions in the pianos, albeit disconnected as he says that years in future they could be a lot more valauble complete.

[submarine315]

This table comes from the bluebookofpianos.com website and shows the calendar year and first serial number built for that year. I own a Stroud player piano that has a serial number of 43800, so in my case it was built sometime in 1915 by the (Aeolian) Stroud Co. in New York (the U.S. place of manufacture). I'm not sure if this chart holds true for the UK as well but it appears that it should, making your piano older than mine. Our player is working well but as stated, they take some effort to be maintained properly what with leather parts, hoses, bellows, chain drives etc.. Ours has also been "electrified" so that it can be played "hands free" and not have to pump with your feet.

1903-1900 1904-3000 1905-5400 1906-9000
1907-12000 1908-15000 1909-19000 1910-23000
1911-27000 1912-31000 1913-35000 1914-39000
1915-43000 1916-47000 1917-51000 1918-55000
1919-59000 1920-30000 1921-70000 1922-70000
1923-73000 1924-76000 1925-78000 1926-80000
1927-82000 1928-85000 1929-88000 1930-91000
1931-94000 1932-97000 1933-98000

[Bill Kibby]

I was under the impression this was the English Stroud from the town of the same name. Obviously, the player connection could suggest Aeolian.

[submarine315]

Was not my answer in line with the question? I posted the year and first serial number built for that year - not valuation!

[Bill Kibby]

I don't understand your point, I wasn't saying you were wrong, I was saying I might have been wrong, or it could be the Stroud Piano Co., England. I said nothing about valuation, that is part of the signature that appears on all of my postings.

[submarine315]

Mea Culpa! My apologies. I had looked at it as part of a posting! (It's an age related thing!