Chappell & Co.

[charlotte cooper]

Hi, we are interested in a Chappell and Co. piano, the numbers on it are 07150 and 44434, can anyone tell me anything about it? We like the look of it but want to play it obviously, and it needs to be suitable for a beginner. Any help gratefully received, on this make or any general advice on what to look for in a second-hand piano.

[Bill Kibby]

I think it is safe to say that I have never seen a piano serial number beginning with a zero. Unfortunately, pianos often have several numbers inside, and the whole process of relying on numbers is not as simple as many websites would like you to think it is. If it is 44434, this would suggest 1906. The ony general advice I could give is

1). Never buy a piano of this age without having a tuner check it first.

2). Never spend money on the basis of what it might be like when work has been done, put your money into something that you can see, hear, feel and play.

[Colin Nicholson]

We obviously cannot comment on this particular piano you are interested in very much, as no one can see it, hear it or play it..... I would recommend that you contact a piano tuner to check it over. Chappell are a reputable name - however if the piano is very old, make sure you get the wrest plank & tuning pins checked over, and the mechanism.

The numbers you give may not be relevant here.... where did you find the numbers #44434? if this is the serial number, it will be inside the piano, either near the tuning pins, or possibly stamped on the soundboard. Some Chappell uprights have their serial number tucked away behind or near the bass strings. If this number is correct, it suggests the year around 1906..... but may be wrong.

If you can send a photo of the piano, and its mechanism, we might be able to provide you with more info.

Just as a guide to you, I started to tune a Chappell (1930's) upright in February earlier this year (and noticed 3 bass strings had broken). When I removed the mechanism, most of the bridle straps broke off on the hammers, and many glued parts (jack flanges) had come loose.... so I would recommend that you have the piano checked over. This repair cost in the region of £300

Did you understand any of that above (highlighted in bold)?

If not, then most of the advice we give, and including certain terms & jargon are seldom understood by a newby pianist.... so rather than giving all sorts of detailed advice (which should be more than just general), I strongly recommend that you pay someone to check it over for peace of mind. If the piano is sold privately or through auction, I doubt if the seller would know these terms. If a piano shop - then some sales persons are tuners/ technicians themselves, and will understand things to check like:
Wrest plank, tuning pins, bridge & bridge pins, soundboard, condition of mechanism & regulation of it, and is the piano tuned to concert pitch C523.3Hz?

Hope that helps

(Bill, our posts must have crossed!!)

[charlotte cooper]

thanks so much, the good thing about this one is that it was recently completely re-furbished by Forsythes in Manchester?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0725646862 is the listing if this is allowed on the forum

[Bill Kibby]

i tried repeatedly, but couldn't get the link to work, so I searched Ebay for it. I see that it described as 1912, so either 44434 is not the right number, or the published information is wrong (again!), or the ad is wrong. It makes little difference to the practicalities, and I would not worry about it, my advice stands.

There are thousands of pianos very much like this still giving good service in front rooms around Britain, but for the discerning pianist, this type of dampers may not be efficient enough, the vertical stringing may not provide the best tonal quality, the pedals may be noisy. Even if it was restored a year ago, it could have spent a year next to a radiator, so we can only guess about tuning. See also...
http://www.piano-tuners.org/piano-forum ... f=2&t=8859

[Colin Nicholson]

You might find that this link works..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Upright-Piano ... 27c00aa20e

If you are just going to 'tinkle' the piano for pleasure (rest the odd pint pot on it), and invite your friends around for a sing-song - then great! However if you are going to seriously learn the piano (or children if you have any), and have weekly piano lessons - you may find within a few months, you will out-perform this piano. Although there is some evidence of an action 'overhaul' .... (newish tapes fitted).... the mechanism has by no means received a "full refurbishment" - still has the old poorly-spaced hammers.

Although it boasts a mechanism refurbishment, the strings tuning pins & dampers are un-touched.... this part of course is affected by a tuning mainly.

I think for the money (as long as doesnt reach well over £100) - its a good start, but I would still be tempted to get a tuner to check out the "unrefurbished" strings & pins.

Some piano tuners will scorn at tuning an over-damped & straight-strung piano.... and there is no such thing as a "little tuning" !!!! trust me.

Some 'ringing-on' to be expected, and some of the bass strings might just give off a dull thud (like hitting a muted bell).... but often is the case, you may have been lured by the looks of this piano.... but will it play as a musical instrument?