Stultz & Bauer piano

[thebestnurse]

I have acquired a Stultz & Bauer piano, very plain cabinet, in neglected state with many broken bridle straps, etc., but the keys which do play make a beautiful, rich sound. I plan to attempt to restore it. Its serial number is 27369. Any idea as to its age? Where do I locate its patent number? The cabinet is sound and solid. The wood is mahogany but has been stripped and is a lighter color outside. It smells very musty and was stored in a cold, damp garage for a long while. Thank you for any assistance.....

[Bill Kibby]

The number suggests 1907, but this is a UK site, and I have very little experience of american pianos.

[Barrie Heaton]

Where do I locate its patent number? .....

Not all pianos have patent and not all manufactures placed the numbers on the piano – is there a particular reason for asking.

The American patent office is the first place to start However, not all patents were placed in company’s name some times one of the employers names were used but you may be lucky do a search on Stultz & Bauer then Stultz and Bauer Also, take into account that not all patents relating to piano are under piano

Barrie,

[thebestnurse]

Thank you for your help. I wondered if the patent numbers were used in determining age. I have just begun to research Stultz & Bauer pianos after acquiring this one. It was given to me free for the hauling and I believe the owner thought it to be a big piece of junk. I am fascinated by the inner workings on this piano and will take my time with restoration simply for the pure joy of bringing it back to life! I am quite a novice but found a website that specializes in restoring/repairing pianos and would love to make this my hobby beginning with this piano. I believe there is beautiful music buried inside! Again, thank you! There is no one in my area (Ripley, West Virginia, USA) who restores/repairs pianos, so I am quite on my own here.

[Bill Kibby]

The number suggests 1907 but, being based in the UK, I cannot help with US patent numbers, why do you want it?

[thebestnurse]

Thank you very much for the helpful information and encouragement! I just ordered Reblitz's book and am anxious to receive it. I have learned so much already about the workings of the piano, as I have it opened and visible. Just having it inside in a warm room after it was in a cold garage for so many years seems to have helped it, as many more keys now play. It makes me ill to think how this piano was abused! It is not fancy at all and I discovered that it has been painted with a pecan-color thin paint, so my work is cut out for me. It is in the living room and it took almost seven grown men to get it there! They are still complaining of their backs and refuse to ever move it again (my brothers, dad, son, his friends)! But I will continue to seek information and continue to work on it as I can. Still no one in my area that tunes/repairs a piano, so I am on my own. Another one of my problems is the very musty smell it is giving off. And the dust.

[Bill Kibby]

In my experience, it's the stools that cause most of the smell, especially after a warm posterior has been on them for an hour or so! Proper piano removers would walk in with it between two of them, the more people, the more danger.