Henry Zender & Co. London
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Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by ChristopherT »
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Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by Bill Kibby »
http://www.pianohistory.info/datemarks.html
Could we see a picture of the WHOLE of the outside of the piano?...
But please don't post it 3 times again! If you buy it, you may have to spend a lot of money on the action repairs.
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Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by Colin Nicholson »
The missing/ broken hammer heads may be lying loose inside the piano, indicating brittle hammer shanks, and the hammers lying against the strings could be issues with the spring & loops or re-pinning - quite expensive to repair. If the piano is peanuts to buy, although attractive to look at (and quite rare now) - but might not be economical to repair fully. Always a risk buying old pianos online.
We often like to think of the history side when buying an old piano, and sometimes overlook the "mechanics" until we get the piano moved. Just some friendly professional advice!
Colin
Colin Nicholson Dip. Mus. CMIT CLCM PTLLS
Piano tuning & repairs. Full UK restoration service
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Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by Bill Kibby »
http://pianohistory.info
Email via my website.
If you find old references or links on this site to pianogen.org, they should refer to pianohistory.info
- Colin Nicholson
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Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by Colin Nicholson »
Probably best not to remove the action for now - in searching for date stamps / markings / action numbers etc.
Bill will suggest this for further clues, but only if safe to do so - in his defence.
A closer inspection / re-thinking my thoughts.....
I suspect that the action has been previously removed (and not safe yet to remove now), which has resulted in various springs or loops breaking (under the weight of the lower parts), then the action forced back in against its will, as can be seen by the 5 or 6 jacks/ undercarriages pushed forward because the jacks are now blocked under the hammer cushion felt butts; this can cause a lot of damage if not caught in time. If the hammers needed re-pinning only, this wouldn't cause the jacks and undercarriages to be forced forward in the "on" position aswell.
As the action seems to be forced in, the RH turnbuckle has not been located, and the previous broken hammer heads have snapped off due to too much excursion and possibly a good old fashioned DIY hand shove! Some of the hammers have survived (but now wedged against the strings - poor things
![Sad :(](./images/smilies/icon_sad.gif)
I think the reason for the snapped hammers is not down to general playing, but originally by fault of any broken springs or loops - a quick look by a piano tech will tell you immediately why.
The action may need to be removed/ dismantled in stages, starting with the dampers/ lift wires, then tape up or string up the undercarriages for later repairs. If any other broken loops/ springs, when the action is removed, depending on the design, the u/carriages fall like pendulums. Get the jacks tripped back to their proper position.
The loops are straight forward to replace, but VERY time consuming, and costa springs are difficult to get hold of, unless hand-made (if about 72mm). This is JUST the action.... nothing to do with the tuning aspects!!
Best of luck anyway.
I've tuned and serviced many S&L pianos, mostly good - so the piano could be repaired to last longer.
It is always interesting to see quite rare pianos like this, very petite looking (and often luring!) .... but at this stage, it might be best to get a few repair quotes/ assessment - then later bury your head into the history books. Unfortunately rarity doesn't come with value for some old pianos. Could be a saviour for this piano, but also could be a money pit.
Colin
Colin Nicholson Dip. Mus. CMIT CLCM PTLLS
Piano tuning & repairs. Full UK restoration service
http://www.aatuners.com
Tuition ~ Accompaniment ~ Weddings
http://www.pianotime1964.com
Member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen
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Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by ChristopherT »
ERNST JACOB
PIANO M_CH?
BER_ _ ?
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Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by Bill Kibby »
http://www.pianohistory.info/numbers.html
there are some dates for Jacob, which suggest that the piano was made in 1908.
The interior photo clearly shows very odd spacing that suggests there are one or two strings missing.
When you get it home, I would be interested to know if you find any serial numbers anywhere else.
http://pianohistory.info
Email via my website.
If you find old references or links on this site to pianogen.org, they should refer to pianohistory.info
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Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by ChristopherT »
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Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by Colin Nicholson »
![Question :?:](./images/smilies/icon_question.gif)
Colin Nicholson Dip. Mus. CMIT CLCM PTLLS
Piano tuning & repairs. Full UK restoration service
http://www.aatuners.com
Tuition ~ Accompaniment ~ Weddings
http://www.pianotime1964.com
Member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen
Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Any fool can make a piano-- it needs a tuner to put the music in it
www.lochnesspianos.co.uk
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Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by Colin Nicholson »
I think there were (or are) wrest plank problems - top right edge seems to be OK.... flush with top lid, but in the middle, I can see it has warped forwards and top edge of plank can be seen .... mmm. (recent photo)
About 16-18 tons of pressure on those strings pulling down, and quite possibly there could be down-bearing/ tuning problems with the upper bridge. If those bolts were intended, they should be smaller/ long countersunk screws at sides of pins..... but usually seen if the wrest plank has a metal protection plate over it - like Bluthner.
Of course, the "empty" hitch pins at the bottom will give the game away.
Yeh, I think someone has desperately tried to save this piano by the looks of it.
Good luck
Colin Nicholson Dip. Mus. CMIT CLCM PTLLS
Piano tuning & repairs. Full UK restoration service
http://www.aatuners.com
Tuition ~ Accompaniment ~ Weddings
http://www.pianotime1964.com
Member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen
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Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by ChristopherT »
- Colin Nicholson
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Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by Colin Nicholson »
any new developments/ near completion?
Colin Nicholson Dip. Mus. CMIT CLCM PTLLS
Piano tuning & repairs. Full UK restoration service
http://www.aatuners.com
Tuition ~ Accompaniment ~ Weddings
http://www.pianotime1964.com
Member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen
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- Junior Poster
- Posts: 13
- Joined: 01 Jan 2017, 13:12
- Location: New Zealand
Re: Henry Zender & Co. London
Post by ChristopherT »
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