Prüchner

[heustis]

We've got a grand piano marked with a "Prüchner" script logo and Berlin below that on the fall board. Also it has 1091 stamped into the soundboard. No other markings. It looks old but well made. 1900 ..... or earlier?

FYI - The Prüchner has a cracked pin block. We'll be making a new one for it and restringing. The sound board is perfect. Keys perfect. And it has an interesting design..... you can level the keys using height adjustment screws!! What a great idea! Should have caught on. Maybe only Prüchner knew about it.

Any ideas on history? I've not been able to find anything regarding this make on the internet.

Scott

[Bill Kibby]

It's a new one on me, we have no reference sources for German pianos before 1911, so it's a matter of luck what turns up. The idea of screws to adjust the keys is familiar, but I can't find it at the moment. I take it that you mean individual key levelling? Many German pianos have a double touch rail at the back of the keys, to limit the touch depth.

Being in the trade, you are probably aware that the vast majority of piano names are not even listed on the internet. Are you in South Africa? All the references to Pruchner pianos on the internet are from South Africa, and this suggests that it may have beem a name used by a South African firm selling imports from anonymous German wholesalers.

[heustis]

I'm in the US. Los Angeles area.

And yes..... individual key leveling using adjustment screws. Don't have to use paper punchings. Nice!

Thanks for the quick reply. I've looked at this page for quite a while, but never registered or commented. This Prüchner beast gave me the impetus.

[Bill Kibby]

Interesting, is there any chance of seeing a photo of how that works? Or a photo of the "beast" itself?