Chappell

Walshy · Post by **Walshy** » 05 Nov 2005, 01:41

A Chappell Upright Piano has been tossed around our family for the past 20yrs. Our little family now has it in our possession and our eldest 6yr is expressing an interest in learning. I contacted a local tuner/repair gentleman and he said "CHAPPELL? Throw it out" ... Of course this is not what we wanted to hear. The (serial) number(s) we find date the Chappell anywhere from 1870-1911. It is missing 2-3 pads & in desparate need of tuning ... but is it worth fixing to see if our son's interest sees him past the first few lessons? thx!

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 05 Nov 2005, 10:02

As for its present condition, or the availability of repairers in Canada, I can't help you. What sort of "pads" are missing? Around a hundred years ago, Chappell were a highly respected firm who produced some of the most wonderful concert grands ever made anywhere, and their uprights were also very good. Dates of numbers are available, to suggest the exact year for most, what are the numbers? See

http://www.uk-piano.org/piano-gen/datem ... ianos.html

Walshy · Post by **Walshy** » 07 Nov 2005, 08:39

thx Bill,
here are the following numbers I have found engraved on the top outter case of the piano: 11820, 39190 (numbers found on the left hand side when top lid is opened.) 51007 number found engraved in wooden part of frame down inside left hand side. ER10463 is on the left hand side of the outter case. "sold by E.G. Withers & Sons 279 Kensington, Liverpool" is the tag in the center of the keys.

sorry for the barbaric uneducated descriptions!

The 'pads' I refer to are the 'hammers' that hit the strings inside. The are wooden with white 'felt'. 3 are missing, 1 has been salvaged (rescued when it broke off) and one final 'hammer' is weak & wobbly. (4 total need to be created or re-invented from exisiting)

thank you for your time.

Post by **Bill Kibby** » 07 Nov 2005, 11:54

It is virtually impossible to find exact replacements for the hammers, you need to locate a repairer who has a stock of old parts that might happen to be similar. The felt is not just glued on, it is shaped under tremendous pressure. The number 51007 is likely to be the serial number, which suggests 1910. Withers will have sold it some time after 1914, probably secondhand.