eavestaff mini piano

[PianoGuy]

Actually, the Miniroyal is the best of a bad bunch. Conceived in the '30s to cram as much piano as possible into a ridiculously small space, they were a triumph of English Art-Deco eccentricity over sonic ability. If you have been unfortunate enough to have acquired one of the type that is tuned from the front of the cabinet underneath the keyboard, there's no hope at all. Monstrous.

The good news is that some were made with casework which is highly sought-after for use as furnishing items, especially amongst certain gentlemen of a delicate aesthetic nature who spend their spare time in Brighton Antique Shops. Some are adorned with chrome go-faster stripes, fancy veneers and even outrageous colours; red, green, bakelite brown and orange are not unknown, some with coloured sharps to match. A few were fitted with chrome electric lamps. Earlier versions had a keyboard that was higher than normal, and were originally sold with a matching stool (the Eavestaff Ministool no less!) which also adds desirability.

In terms of value then, if you have a plain mahogany version with no stool and under- keyboard tuning, then pour a gallon of Texaco over it and light the blue touchpaper. It'll be more entertaining than trying to get a tune out of it.

If it's the conventionally tuned type with low casework that extends only an inch or two above the keyboard, you may still find life in it. The better versions of this design had 'loudspeaker grilles' in expanded metal sheeting either side of the music desk. Some were labelled 'Eavestaff pianette' or Mini Royal

If it's the last incarnation, the Miniroyal which resembles a Hammond Organ case, with a lid that is stored hidden under the top door of the case and a '50s style metal-strutted music desk it'll have a fighting chance of being a pleasant sounding piano. This later type had no matching stool supplied, since the keyboard was at more or less conventional height.

But...... and it's a big one....

If you have a structurally sound example of one of the earlier variants in a mad colour, or immaculate black, matching stool with original shagreen (mock lizardskin) top, with colour matched sharps, electric lighting and more chrome than Elvis's Caddy, take it to the Brighton Lanes, find a few suitable punters and get ready to pay a small but significant chunk off your mortgage from the highest bidder.

Hope this helps.

PG