Meinberg Piano - would love some info please

[djs1934]

Morning, I am new here. I have just acquired an old piano with no history. I am looking to start up piano playing again after a 20 year break! I am not very good but do love it so.

The piano in question I know nothing about. All I know is that I am already attached to it, regardless if it is a poor quality one ;-) I have done quite a lot of googling to try and find something out about it but to no avail so I am turning to this forum for some help.

Here's what I know already:
Maker: Meinberg
Upright
Overstrung
Ivory keys
Iron frame
Veneer outer
Holes where Candelabras would have been

Inside there is the number 130 and also 'Meinberg, Berlin, Pianofabrik'

Some photos below. Can anyone tell me anything with regards to the maker, history, age etc of this piano? I'd be very grateful indeed.

Many thanks in advance.

[Colin Nicholson]

The age will be about 100 years old.
Veneer is walnut with occasional dark stained symmetrical brush strokes.

Pianos like this were often German exports, then the retailer's name was added to it.

Look up "Stencil pianos" on google.

To determine if this is a manufacturers name, it would be helpful if we could actually see the name up-close & focussed. The name Meinburg is not listed, so this may be an alias name, or simply a name made up by a retailer or wholesaler.

The 2 lower photos are too far away to see any detail. Here is what to do:-

1. Open fallboard (lid that covers keys) - photo of name on there & keys.
2. Close up photo of the mechanism
3. Photo of any names inside the piano
4. One picture only per frame (clear & focussed)

The missing candle holders are called 'sconces' - these are often robbed on pianos, and sold or swapped - and worth more than the value of the piano.

hope that helps

[Bill Kibby]

I have no information about Meinberg, but this seems a typical German piano of about 1906. If your tuner removes the action, it may be marked on the rear with the action makers' name and number, and I may be able to date this.

[djs1934]

Thank you so much for your replies. I greatly appreciate it.

I have now taken some more detailed photos, as below. Maybe this will help further? Again, thank you.

[Bill Kibby]

It's always interesting to see photos, but they don't tell me anything much that is new. Having stripped the piano to the point where you could see the whole length of the keys, try lifting out a few at each end to see if they are dated.

[djs1934]

Thank you Bill. I will wait for the Piano Tuner to do that when he comes along the week after next and let you know what we find :-)

[Colin Nicholson]

The name on the fallboard "Meinberg" would have been stamped out of a separate rectangular piece of veneer using a letter punch kit - then glued to the remaining veneer (showing the carcus wood through the letters), hence if you look at the edges, the artist has tried to hide the edges with dabs of black paint. Then brass inlaid letters inserted afterwards.
You can either have a plate put over with an engraved name on, or get someone to design the missing letters out of brass - if you want the genuine look. The tricky bit is to re-insert the tiny bits of venner for the letters 'B' and 'R'

Make sure your piano tuner treats the bass strings prior to tuning - upper bridge pins area - these often break during a tuning. The mechanism looks reasonable for its age, had some new bridle tapes at some point - the rest looks unrestored.

The fallboard also lifts off easily! - just lift it. Then the rail behind the black keys also just lifts off - then you can get to the keys.