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Chickering Grand

  • 1.  Chickering Grand

    Posted 02-07-2017 01:02
    Hello all,

    I have a customer with a 6'6" Chickering that has been "restored" (new hammers and looks like new strings, probably new tuning pins). In the process, the serial number has been removed. The piano is "Scale 123" and the action has wooden brackets. I have attached a couple of photos. I am curious when Chickering introduced the Scale 123 and when he went to metal action brackets so I can narrow down the approximate age of the piano.

    ------------------------------
    Ken Gerler, RPT

    Gerler Piano & Organ Service
    Florissant (St. Louis), MO 63033
    kenneth.gerler@prodigy.net
    314-355-2339
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Chickering Grand

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-07-2017 02:54

    Does this piano have brass hammer & wippen flanges??? I have some experience with old Chickerings, and have not seen wooden action brackets after 1905.

    Tom Levings, RPT


    On 2/6/2017 10:02 PM, Kenneth Gerler via Piano Technicians Guild wrote:
    0100015a172a7f67-b877e636-c52b-4ec9-911b-022be9b67300-000000@email.amazonses.com" type="cite">
    Hello all, I have a customer with a 6'6" Chickering that has been "restored" (new hammers and looks like new strings, probably new tuning pins)....
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    Piano History

    ?? Post New Message
    Chickering Grand
    Reply to Group Reply to Sender
    Feb 7, 2017 1:02 AM ??| ?? ??view attached
    Kenneth Gerler
    Hello all,

    I have a customer with a 6'6" Chickering that has been "restored" (new hammers and looks like new strings, probably new tuning pins). In the process, the serial number has been removed. The piano is "Scale 123" and the action has wooden brackets. I have attached a couple of photos. I am curious when Chickering introduced the Scale 123 and when he went to metal action brackets so I can narrow down the approximate age of the piano.

    ------------------------------
    Ken Gerler, RPT

    Gerler Piano & Organ Service
    Florissant (St. Louis), MO 63033
    kenneth.gerler@prodigy.net
    314-355-2339
    ------------------------------
    ?? Reply to Group Online ?? View Thread ?? Recommend ?? Forward ??



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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Chickering Grand

    Posted 02-07-2017 11:41
    At the time the new hammers were installed on the action, one shank broke and a brass sleeve was used to repair that shank.  The sleeve and the hammer glue joints were loose and "clicking" when that note was played. That is why I had the action out far enough to add glue to those joints and didn't look at the back of the action, just pulling it out far enough so I could do the repair.  While I had it out that far, I lifted it to look at the keybed.  If you look closely enough at the first pictures I attached, you can see that the hammer flanges are wood and they are original, just the hammers were replaced.
     
    Ken
    Gerler Piano & Organ Service
    12425 Parkwood Lane
    Florissant, MO 63033-4662
    kenneth.gerler@prodigy.net
    314-355-2339



    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Chickering Grand

    Posted 02-07-2017 04:26
    The serial number should  be embossed into the front of the keyframe on that model. More than likely it is still there.

    Richard Cromwell
    Owner & Piano Technician
    Detroit Pianoworks
    Specializing in the creation of fine custom piano keyboards & actions

    w: detroitpianoworks.com
    e: detroit.pianoworks@gmail.com
    p: 248-894-6778



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Chickering Grand

    Posted 02-07-2017 04:31
    Also, look under the keybed. Pre-Aeolian Chickering's have the serial number all over on those things come to think of it (I have a 1902 5'x" with wooden brackets and brass whippen flanges at the shop right now).

    Richard Cromwell
    Owner & Piano Technician
    Detroit Pianoworks
    Specializing in the creation of fine custom piano keyboards & actions

    w: detroitpianoworks.com
    e: detroit.pianoworks@gmail.com
    p: 248-894-6778



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Chickering Grand

    Posted 02-07-2017 11:41
    Richard,
    That was my first spot to look.  Apparently, the "restorer" didn't want the manufacturing date on the piano anywhere as the front of the keyframe is "clean" of any writing/stamping of any numbers, letters, or names.
     
    Ken
     
    Gerler Piano & Organ Service
    12425 Parkwood Lane
    Florissant, MO 63033-4662
    kenneth.gerler@prodigy.net
    314-355-2339



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Chickering Grand

    Posted 02-08-2017 08:42
    Unless the plate was painted look on the right side of the plate strut in treble section

    ------------------------------
    Melissa Warren
    Lawrence KS
    785-749-5000
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Chickering Grand

    Posted 02-08-2017 09:11
    Melissa,
    Since I have been an RPT, PTG since 1976, I am aware of "all" of the places to look for serial numbers.  The individual/individuals that "restored" this piano in the past did not want its age know.  There are "used car salesmen" in the piano trade that desire to represent an "older" piano as a "newer" piano and say its value is higher to the "less knowledgeable" public.
     
    Ken
     
    Gerler Piano & Organ Service
    12425 Parkwood Lane
    Florissant, MO 63033-4662
    kenneth.gerler@prodigy.net
    314-355-2339



    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Chickering Grand

    Posted 02-08-2017 09:27
      |   view attached
    This is a 1902 Chickering keybed. It's there too.

    Richard Cromwell
    Owner & Piano Technician
    Detroit Pianoworks
    Specializing in the creation of fine custom piano keyboards & actions

    w: detroitpianoworks.com
    e: detroit.pianoworks@gmail.com
    p: 248-894-6778



    Original Message


  • 10.  RE: Chickering Grand

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-08-2017 12:50
    I have a 6'6" 1906 Chickering (#109681) in the shop now, but no sn on keybed nor on the front of the keyframe. Only on the plate. It is a brass flange/wooden bracket action. Just fwiw.

    ------------------------------
    Vince Mrykalo RPT
    www.mrykalopiano.com
    Visit my blog at: www.mrykalopiano.blogspot.com
    Success in tuning, as has been said of genius, is the result of an infinite capacity for taking pains.- Tom O'Meara (Editor, Tuners' Journal 1925)
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Chickering Grand

    Posted 02-08-2017 12:57
    Vincent, that's because yours was made after Chickering sold to American Piano Co. In 1908.

    Richard Cromwell
    Owner & Piano Technician
    Detroit Pianoworks
    Specializing in the creation of fine custom piano keyboards & actions

    w: detroitpianoworks.com
    e: detroit.pianoworks@gmail.com
    p: 248-894-6778



    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Chickering Grand

    Posted 02-08-2017 12:58
    Oops sorry Vince, I misread your message. 1906 with none of that?

    Richard Cromwell
    Owner & Piano Technician
    Detroit Pianoworks
    Specializing in the creation of fine custom piano keyboards & actions

    w: detroitpianoworks.com
    e: detroit.pianoworks@gmail.com
    p: 248-894-6778

    On Feb 8, 2017 12:49 PM, "Vincent Mrykalo via Piano Technicians Guild" <Mail@connectedcommunity.org> wrote:
    I have a 6'6" 1906 Chickering (#109681) in the shop now, but no sn on keybed nor on the front of the keyframe. Only on the plate. It is a brass...
    Please do not forward this message due to Auto Login.

    Piano History

      Post New Message
    Re: Chickering Grand
    Reply to Group Reply to Sender
    Feb 8, 2017 12:50 PM
    Vincent Mrykalo
    I have a 6'6" 1906 Chickering (#109681) in the shop now, but no sn on keybed nor on the front of the keyframe. Only on the plate. It is a brass flange/wooden bracket action. Just fwiw.

    ------------------------------
    Vince Mrykalo RPT
    www.mrykalopiano.com
    Visit my blog at: www.mrykalopiano.blogspot.com
    Success in tuning, as has been said of genius, is the result of an infinite capacity for taking pains.- Tom O'Meara (Editor, Tuners' Journal 1925)
    ------------------------------
      Reply to Group Online   View Thread   Recommend   Forward  
    ------------------------------
    Original Message



     
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    Original Message------

    I have a 6'6" 1906 Chickering (#109681) in the shop now, but no sn on keybed nor on the front of the keyframe. Only on the plate. It is a brass flange/wooden bracket action. Just fwiw.

    ------------------------------
    Vince Mrykalo RPT
    www.mrykalopiano.com
    Visit my blog at: www.mrykalopiano.blogspot.com
    Success in tuning, as has been said of genius, is the result of an infinite capacity for taking pains.- Tom O'Meara (Editor, Tuners' Journal 1925)
    ------------------------------


  • 13.  RE: Chickering Grand

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-09-2017 10:16
    Correct. There actually is a number stamped in the keybed, but it's not the sn.

    ------------------------------
    Vince Mrykalo RPT
    www.mrykalopiano.com
    Visit my blog at: www.mrykalopiano.blogspot.com
    Success in tuning, as has been said of genius, is the result of an infinite capacity for taking pains.- Tom O'Meara (Editor, Tuners' Journal 1925)
    ------------------------------

    Original Message