Kemble 1933 what model, please?

[Daisy]

Have just bought a 1933 upright Kemble, reg no 42488.
It has 85 keys and is mahogany. There is a small carved leaf detail in the centre .
Could anyone tell me what model it is?
Any other info would be great, it came from Anniesland High School (Glasgow High) and had been in a garage for years, no-one at the school knew its history.
There is one panel of wood at the top of the back and then fabric, should it be all wood?
Thank you.

[Colin Nicholson]

You can't tell what model a piano is just by the serial number and a centre carving. Centre carvings are were often used on several brands of piano, not just Kemble.

If there is a model name or letter, it will either be next to the ''Kemble'' name on the fallboard (lid that covers the keys), or inside the piano, near the tuning pins.... but it may not have a model name. If you can remove the front panel (reveals the mechanism inside), it might be in there.

In the 1930's they made smaller upright piano called the ''Kemble Minx'' and the ''Kemble Cameo'' - but these usually had fewer keys, and smaller in size.

Kemble were based in Milton Keynes.... then taken over by Yamaha, but the factory closed down just a few years ago.

I'm not sure what you mean by your last sentence.

If you can send a photo of your piano here (with the front panel removed) we might be able to tell you.

Also, a 'reg number' is for cars.... a piano's age is identified by its ''serial number'' - the numbers you give match the year 1933. Also, there is no 'bluebook' or history book that will tell you specific information about your piano - but only Kemble in general. It is up to the owner to trace its history/ ownership/ original bill of sale etc.

The first topic on Piano Advice is ''How to download an image....'' - this will tell you how to upload a photo onto here. Also look to see if the Kemble name reappears inside - and if there is another name next to it.

Hope that helps


Colin

[Otto]

Hi,

Just to clear up a little thingy, most upright modern pianos expose their sound board at the back, but in earlier times things were more discrete and many a sound board was shielded from view by a light fabric (often a darkish green).

The solid board is at the top - pretty much above the sound board, and serves to hide the wrest plank (the bit that holds all the tuning pins).

So that sounds quite correct, and you should notice a couple of blocks of wood at ankle height at the back. These are used to keep the piano away from the wall so that the sound can 'get out' (most of the sound of an upright comes out of the back).

[Colin Nicholson]

Just to help you further.... here is a Kemble Minx .....

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/kembl ... /102496852

clearly showing the name under 'Kemble' on the fallboard.

Some piano manufacturers gave their pianos a model name (like above) aswell as the main name. For example ''Eavestaff' are well-known.... and back in the 1930's, they came up with allsorts of different names such as ''Eavestaff Mini'' and ''Eavestaff Royale'' and even ''Eavestaff Pianette'' ...... but basically, all the same piano with the same strings, mechanism and cabinet - maybe with small changes, but nothing much. These kind of piano were sort of the 'middle of the market'' .... so selling them with brand & model names was important. However, their model names were usually imprinted on the fallboard only - and no further lettering/ numbers shown inside.

Your 'high bracket' pianos such as Steinway, Bechstein etc.... these just tend to give a capital letter, and/or a combination of letters and numbers - like Kawai. The model number (I say 'number' - but it also could mean numbers & letters) - is always, 9/10 inside the piano - alongside a repeat of the main name.

Here is an image of a Yamaha U3 upright piano inside.... note the model number/letter and serial number >>>

Also the serial number is duplicated on the inside of the top lid (and not shown, the name Yamaha inside to the left).

This is a Bechstein upright piano - dated around 1904 - 1907. Note here the serial number is at the top right, however the model number '10' is tucked away in the far right corner. This model number is only ever recorded inside the piano - not on the outside and not on the fallboard - just ''Bechstein'' (they didn't need to flaunt their model names aswell!) >>>>

So there you go.... if your piano does not have any kind of numbers/ names/ letters added anywhere like shown above, it wont have a model name or number - just the name 'Kemble' .... and its very common for hundreds & thousands of pianos not to have additional names & numbers. Some manufacturers though tend to label their pianos with a model letter (eg Steinway D) - this then not only tells us its a grand piano, but it being a concert grand, sized just over 9ft in length. The Steinway K is an upright model name, and the Steinway B is a grand piano model, just over 6ft in length.

Personally, a 1930's Kemble (or any piano aged around 80 years old) - may not be worth anything more than a Kemble Minx - perhaps less! .... so the model names & numbers/ letters are I suppose useful for us to identify which model it is - and knowing that if a Model 10 Bechstein needs a string replaced.... then the customer is WELL WARNED of the extra costs involved to remove the mechanism first.

Hope that helps

Colin