404 Not Found

[theorganist]

he 404 or Not Found error message is a HTTP standard response code indicating that the client was able to communicate with a given server, but the server could not find what was requested.

The web site hosting server will typically generate a "404 Not Found" web page when a user attempts to follow a broken or dead link; hence the 404 error is one of the most recognizable errors users can find on the web.[1]

A 404 error should not be confused with "server not found" or similar errors, in which a connection to the destination server could not be made at all. A 404 error indicates that the requested resource may be available again in the future; however, the fact does not guarantee the same content.

[Colin Nicholson]

Not sure about the ''best plan of action'' - that's for you to decide, but a recommended option would be to contact a piano retailer who restore pianos themselves, and ask them if they would be interested in buying it.

Obviously at the moment, the piano isn't worth much, and much of its Victorian character and looks/appeal have been totally ripped away by the missing & broken ivory tops. Almost impossible to find replacement and matching ivories, so would need new key tops in simulated ivory.

The main thing I would be more concerned about was the condition of the wrest plank, tuning stability/ sound production/ soundboard & bridges.... that's the bit that costs money. Replacing hammer heads & damper felt only is pointless, and is only a temporary measure, and they are both cancelled out in value-worth if the piano has not been restrung. I also hear so many times .... ''its had new hammers'' when in fact, just the hammer head felt has either been recovered (and left un-toned), or refaced....leaving the old shanks, flanges and rollers still in place.... so they are not new hammers.... but more like .... ''Brand new spoked chrome wheels & nuts, put on an old rusty 1975 Ford Escort'' - get my drift?.... so if the piano has not been re-strung, the new hammer felt would need to be redone, and the damper felt would need to be replaced a 3rd time.

I've restored a couple of Schiedmayer grands in the past - but I only restore now ''for the customer'' - not for resale - because the labour costs & materials would cost so much, the age / condition of the piano.... I wouldn't get much return.

Restore it yourself? ...... why do you need to ask this?
Go ahead and make a start, presuming you have had experience - would make a good restoration program, but as you dig deeper into your pocket, the profit slowly drifts away.... especially a piano of this age.

Hope that helps

Colin

[theorganist]

he 404 or Not Found error message is a HTTP standard response code indicating that the client was able to communicate with a given server, but the server could not find what was requested.

The web site hosting server will typically generate a "404 Not Found" web page when a user attempts to follow a broken or dead link; hence the 404 error is one of the most recognizable errors users can find on the web.[1]

A 404 error should not be confused with "server not found" or similar errors, in which a connection to the destination server could not be made at all. A 404 error indicates that the requested resource may be available again in the future; however, the fact does not guarantee the same content.

[Colin Nicholson]

Let's hope the piano is sound in structure.
Don't forget though, before you do any ''cosmetics'' to it (though its very tempting to start with casework stripping down/ sanding etc) - you should get the tuning & wrest pin torque checked out first. Check the pitch with a tuning fork (Middle C), and just make sure that the piano sounds OK, even if it is ''uniformly'' out of tune. Quite common for a piano of that age to have the odd 'howling' bass string - and as the wrest plank narrows out towards the bass - this is where sometimes cracks start. Also fully check the treble/bass bridges & their pins for cracks, and check the soundboard to make sure its not split. THEN.... start the casework/mechanism!

Good luck with that.

[theorganist]

he 404 or Not Found error message is a HTTP standard response code indicating that the client was able to communicate with a given server, but the server could not find what was requested.

The web site hosting server will typically generate a "404 Not Found" web page when a user attempts to follow a broken or dead link; hence the 404 error is one of the most recognizable errors users can find on the web.[1]

A 404 error should not be confused with "server not found" or similar errors, in which a connection to the destination server could not be made at all. A 404 error indicates that the requested resource may be available again in the future; however, the fact does not guarantee the same content.

[Barrie Heaton]

Thanks again Colin, hugely appreciated.

Yes, will check tuning consistency across the board, like you said, as long as its relative tuning is good it'll be fine.

I don't suppose you know of any UK based key top suppliers do you? Wary of buying from the states again and getting caught out with import duty.

All the best,
Alex

Look to the Piano Parts link to the left

Barrie