Mignon Piano, Nicholson & Co

[SMH]

Hello from Australia, I was wondering whether anyone had any information about Mignon Pianos, made in Germany. Are they good pianos? Would it be worth restoring one?
Thanks :)

[Bill Kibby]

Many piano names are fictitious aliases made up by the retailers, and in Australia and New Zealand, there are many genuinely German pianos with fake German names. I suspect that "Mignon" is one of these, made up by Nicholsons, I have never found a real maker by this name, and we have various enquiries about them from Australia. Barrie Heaton says "It was one of Australia's finest: Mignon was a brand name for Palings Piano House in Sydney Australia. The Mignon is regarded as good piano by the tuners in Australian".

"Mignon" is a French word meaning small, or sweet, often applied to small models, such as baby grands, but also including British and French small upright pianos.

As to whether the individual piano is worth restoring, you would have to ask a technician to inspect it on the spot.

[MarkGoodwinPianos]

As to whether the individual piano is worth restoring, you would have to ask a technician to inspect it on the spot.

However, it is safe to say that from a return-on-investment point of view, the vast majority of non-famous brand pianos are very much, absolutely, completely, undoubtedly NOT worth restoring. From a musical point of view, it could be worth restoring but you'll need to ask a tuner to inspect it OR upload a few photos of the piano's guts to this topic and people will be happy to give their opinion

[MarkGoodwinPianos]

p.s. Bill please don't delete my post above. The OP mentioned the word "worth" which frees me up to talk about money