Hello , this is my first post and I am trying to identify a small piano that I have been given. It has 73 Keys, is 50 inches long, 35 inches high and 18 inches deep. It is cross-strung with an iron frame. It has two pedals and seems to be made from a plywood. The original colour must have been a high gloss cherry red with brass strips. The external finish has just about worn off. It has not been tuned for 11 years but seems to have held in tune very well. (I am letting it settle for a month or so before I get a tuner in to check it over). I can find no markings at all on it except what seems to be a short serial number inside on the soundboard. The soundboard is in good condition (looks like spruce?) with no splits/cracks and all internals seem fine . From the history I know of it must be at least 40 years old. The keyboard cover when close runs flush with the back of the piano so it looks like a small sideboard.It has a small door at both ends for storing music. I can post the serial number if this helps or perhaps even a picture (if this is possible). As most of the finish has already worn off in the visible areas I have removed the excess and now can see the bare timber/Plywood . I would like to refinish with a "natural" finish rather than a high gloss lacquer , but would appreciate advice to ensure it remains protected. Would sikkens/sadolin type products be OK as would like that natural look... or have I just insulted everybody !!!
Help will be appreciated as I am guitarist and know nothing of pianos and have this for my daughter (13) as her first piano...
Identifying piano
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Bill Kibby
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Anonymous piano
There is nothing in your description that will identify it from any other smallish 73-note piano. I can't picture how the fall (keyboard cover) can be flush with the back. Could you email photos to me? Also, have a look at the Datemarks link at www.pianogen.org
Wood-finishing is wood-finishing whether it's a piano or a cupboard, except that pianos have very large flat surfaces, requiring extra skill to produce a good finish.
Letting it settle doesn't really apply when it has been neglected like that, you need to know if it CAN be tuned.
Wood-finishing is wood-finishing whether it's a piano or a cupboard, except that pianos have very large flat surfaces, requiring extra skill to produce a good finish.
Letting it settle doesn't really apply when it has been neglected like that, you need to know if it CAN be tuned.
Piano History Centre
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
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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musicegbdf
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- Joined: 14 Mar 2007, 15:09
OK Thks will email a pic tonight.
The number printed inside is 103SO and the frame has "A1" cast into it.
My daughters piano teacher agreed the tone was quite nice for a small piano and was only a bit out of tune, I checked it with my electronic guitar tuner and it is a semitone flat but in good tune with itself ( i understand pianos tune slightly out across the board , guitars have this as a problem by design).
I am going to get his tech around to have a look as some of the dampers need adjusting. I must admit I wonder if the fact it has held tune for so long whether the tuning pegs will be locked up. I know it was regularly tuned before my father in law died 11 years ago and he had it internally reconditioned.
It has sat since then without being played. It cost nothing so will not loose out.
As to the finish I must admit that is what I thought , provided the product gives good protection from light and moisture. I know I will never get the beautiful gloss of a professional , but think it will look nice "natural" (very trendy on guitars at the moment!).
Any way enough rambling will send pics and do appreciate your interest and help.
The number printed inside is 103SO and the frame has "A1" cast into it.
My daughters piano teacher agreed the tone was quite nice for a small piano and was only a bit out of tune, I checked it with my electronic guitar tuner and it is a semitone flat but in good tune with itself ( i understand pianos tune slightly out across the board , guitars have this as a problem by design).
I am going to get his tech around to have a look as some of the dampers need adjusting. I must admit I wonder if the fact it has held tune for so long whether the tuning pegs will be locked up. I know it was regularly tuned before my father in law died 11 years ago and he had it internally reconditioned.
It has sat since then without being played. It cost nothing so will not loose out.
As to the finish I must admit that is what I thought , provided the product gives good protection from light and moisture. I know I will never get the beautiful gloss of a professional , but think it will look nice "natural" (very trendy on guitars at the moment!).
Any way enough rambling will send pics and do appreciate your interest and help.
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musicegbdf
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- Joined: 14 Mar 2007, 15:09
Hi Bill , had a tech come round and he has experience with these pianos. He has dated it as prewar maybe as early as 20's to 30's.
He says he can get it back to concert pitch and generally sort it , but it will take longer than normal for a mini which considering the period it has been since it was last tuned seems fair . Strange a guitar that still plays OK from this period would be worth a fortune , but seems old pianos have a different value.
I am tidying up the outside , but it will used as a working instrument rather than furniture. Hope this will start my 13 year old daughter on a good road and maybe onto a better instrument in the future.
She has just won this years singing award at the full time theatre arts school that she attends in London, and her teacher has told me that she has an ear for very complex harmonies that many students on his degree course cannot acheive, so there is hope.
Anyway thanks your help , keep up the good work as the Guru.
He says he can get it back to concert pitch and generally sort it , but it will take longer than normal for a mini which considering the period it has been since it was last tuned seems fair . Strange a guitar that still plays OK from this period would be worth a fortune , but seems old pianos have a different value.
I am tidying up the outside , but it will used as a working instrument rather than furniture. Hope this will start my 13 year old daughter on a good road and maybe onto a better instrument in the future.
She has just won this years singing award at the full time theatre arts school that she attends in London, and her teacher has told me that she has an ear for very complex harmonies that many students on his degree course cannot acheive, so there is hope.
Anyway thanks your help , keep up the good work as the Guru.