Help me find the maker of my piano?

[nmulford]

I cannot seem to locate the information for the maker of my piano. It is an upright, very plain, square, over 50" tall, and no markings anywhere except for the serial number "184238" on the inside and back. I have done research online but have come up with only one result; it was made for the North American market. It seems to be made of solid wood, possibly oak. Your help is appreciated!

Thank you,

Nichole

[Bill Kibby]

Many people are concerned if their piano has no name, but many of the names are fictitious anyway. Numbers are no use without the maker's name, and not always then, so a description tells us nothing that would allow us to identify your piano. Perhaps if you could upload some images of it, we might be able to say more, although as a UK site, we are on the wrong side of the ocean for American pianos.

[Colin Nicholson]

Nichole

As Bill says, there are many pianos out there with fictitious names; even if your piano did have a name on it, if its the 'real' name, this would probably be backed up with the same name inside the piano, either cast into the iron frame, or applied as a decal. If your piano looks rather dull, polished stripped off? the name may have come off with it - so there is no way of telling the name, unless you can contact the previous owner. I see many pianos on internet auction sites (such as eBay) with no name.... and entitled "Upright Piano For Sale" ...... or even just the word "Piano" !!

Best advice would be to repolish the piano, buy a gold decal kit - and think of a name.... thats how some retailers do it!

[vernon]

I have a cupboard. It's brown with two drawers Ther is a number zv/275 on the back.
Who made it?

[nmulford]

LOL, Thank you for the replies as well as the smart remark, Vernon. You display your obviously boredom and need to offend those who know less about pianos. I will try another website.

[vernon]

no offence intended. ust a way of showing the enormity of the task

[Bill Kibby]

I think Vernon was just trying to make the point in a humorous way, rather than moan about it, but if we examine what you have told us about the piano, there is nothing at all, except that it is oak.

[Colin Nicholson]

Nmulford....

I dont think anyone is being offensive here.... maybe "lightly mad"! - but from my experience on this forum, we all enter into "light banter" ,,,, but shouldn't be taken seriously.

I think that Vernons comment on the cupboard was his old humerous - self.... and when you eventually look back on it, you may say to yourself .... "yeh.. I didnt really give any info on my piano.... just a few numbers" .... nothing to be bad about - it happens regularly. Funny thing is that I meet strange(ish) people on a regular basis - in the local pub etc.... and after about 2 weeks, when I get to know them better (and they buy me a pint!!).... they are a completely different person when you get to know them!
Hope that makes sense!!

[nmulford]

Yes, it does make sense. The task is a frustrating one! I am trying to insure my piano but I have no idea of its value. I am going to have it appraised and hopefully get some idea of what it may be worth. Thank you for your help. I may just put my own badge on the piano and call it a day!!

[Colin Nicholson]

I attempted to tune a 'no name' piano on Tuesday.... nice family.... they paid £40 for their piano from auction, and on the key rail it had a brass plaque.... "G Holt Manchester" ..... when I took the lid off & removed the front board, it was basically just like a Bechstein Model 10 inside (with the snap-on stickers). A few differences in quality - but basically a copy of a Bechstein piano. (I presume Bechstein provided the action) Regrettably the piano couldnt be tuned - all the hammers were very very loose/ pins almost dropping out of their flanges & hammers hitting the wrong strings etc etc....and many dampers ringing on (under-damped/ springs broken) but the piano was 'German' with an English agent's name on it.... not worth anything now, unless it had the Bechstein badge on - and worth less than scrap now (they would have to pay someone to have it towed away)...... so thats why a piano needs to be inspected in - person. For some strange reason though, some people will try and re-sell it for reasonable money even in its scrap state!

[Bill Kibby]

As Colin says, I have found that, on numerous occasions, when I pronounce a piano untuneable, and write it off, the immediate reaction is that the owners SELL it to someone else, who than calls me in to go over it all again. Sometimes, they sell it to a FRIEND!

[vernon]

If you serve some small rural communities as I do, there arises an extra dfficulty.
Called to an ancient piano ,beyond tuning or any economical recovery and you say it must be scrapped.
The customer protests that grandma was a concert pianist( and hence was a qualified piano technician!) and always said it was very valuable.
A month later your'e called to a neighbouring village and are faced with the same piano for which they've just paid £300. If you know all the local relationships you know auntie sold it to neice, despite your report.
Suggest neice has been twisted would lose you all the business for 20 miles round.

I might write a small pamphlet, prompted by my old grandad " How to tune customers"