Pianotech

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was . 

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. ) 

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.
 
So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left cheek-block /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)
 
  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.
 
I spent the spring months removing the paint from almost every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece . 

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything. 

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .  

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

This request should be posted on Piano World rather than this forum which is for technicians. Alternatively, elsewhere on the PTG site is 'Ask an Expert' which is where this should have been posted on PTG.org.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

The piano looks rather small -is it under 5 ' ? The double legs at the front where popular on certain models and I have seen that on pianos built in the early 1900's. R4 on the plate may or may not provide a clue unless a piano with a similar mark but with a name as well can be found. A serial number is helpful but the other numbers are just part numbers. It could be a stencil piano that was just ginned out of a factory and any name could be on it. The lyre looks pretty stock almost home made. Did the owners have any history on it such as when and where they got it ? Try using a powerful light and magnification on the soundboard and the fall board. You can also check out catalogs that the antiquepianoshop has posted on line. Does the action have any unusual parts in it such as strange looking whippens ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 23:05
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

I believe that was manufactured by the Fetal Grand Piano Company.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 00:54
From: James Kelly
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

The piano looks rather small -is it under 5 ' ? The double legs at the front where popular on certain models and I have seen that on pianos built in the early 1900's. R4 on the plate may or may not provide a clue unless a piano with a similar mark but with a name as well can be found. A serial number is helpful but the other numbers are just part numbers. It could be a stencil piano that was just ginned out of a factory and any name could be on it. The lyre looks pretty stock almost home made. Did the owners have any history on it such as when and where they got it ? Try using a powerful light and magnification on the soundboard and the fall board. You can also check out catalogs that the antiquepianoshop has posted on line. Does the action have any unusual parts in it such as strange looking whippens ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 23:05
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

eeewww

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 06:09
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I believe that was manufactured by the Fetal Grand Piano Company.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 00:54
From: James Kelly
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

The piano looks rather small -is it under 5 ' ? The double legs at the front where popular on certain models and I have seen that on pianos built in the early 1900's. R4 on the plate may or may not provide a clue unless a piano with a similar mark but with a name as well can be found. A serial number is helpful but the other numbers are just part numbers. It could be a stencil piano that was just ginned out of a factory and any name could be on it. The lyre looks pretty stock almost home made. Did the owners have any history on it such as when and where they got it ? Try using a powerful light and magnification on the soundboard and the fall board. You can also check out catalogs that the antiquepianoshop has posted on line. Does the action have any unusual parts in it such as strange looking whippens ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 23:05
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

You should see if there are any identifying chalk marks on the underside of the plate.

------------------------------
Zeno Wood
Brooklyn, NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 09:38
From: Jim Ialeggio
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

eeewww

------------------------------
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
Shirley, MA
978 425-9026

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 06:09
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I believe that was manufactured by the Fetal Grand Piano Company.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 00:54
From: James Kelly
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

The piano looks rather small -is it under 5 ' ? The double legs at the front where popular on certain models and I have seen that on pianos built in the early 1900's. R4 on the plate may or may not provide a clue unless a piano with a similar mark but with a name as well can be found. A serial number is helpful but the other numbers are just part numbers. It could be a stencil piano that was just ginned out of a factory and any name could be on it. The lyre looks pretty stock almost home made. Did the owners have any history on it such as when and where they got it ? Try using a powerful light and magnification on the soundboard and the fall board. You can also check out catalogs that the antiquepianoshop has posted on line. Does the action have any unusual parts in it such as strange looking whippens ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 23:05
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

My piano is  about 4' 10" , to the keyslip .  A piano shop, I used to work for , would call these "infant grands"  but Fetal Grand is a new one to me :)

Unfortunately , the people that gave it too me had absolutely zero info , her husband bought it for her out of a newspaper ad years and years ago.

I'll try again with a more powerful light and look for a magnifying glass or something similar for the soundboard and fallboard like you said. 

Thanks for pointing me to Antique Piano Shop.   I'll attach a pic here , and the link, 

The only place I see that exact style pedal lyre ,  , is on the lyon and healy.   https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/lyon-healy/

Sure Lyon and Healy marked their harps , but maybe after Aeolien bought the L+H name , perhaps the factory just started using the "generic to the factory harps" ? 

the piano with the similar pedal lyre- is in the catalog on the far right on pg. 17 , (I attached a screenshot from the catalog, and the piano they have) and the piano they are selling for a restoration at the very bottom of the page, has that similar lyre;   I'll be getting the action after the weekend,  either Monday or Tuesday , thanks for all the extra pointers , 

( I had to edit this post , because at first I thought that the piano they were restoring had the grove-leg corners , but it doesn't )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 06:09
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I believe that was manufactured by the Fetal Grand Piano Company.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 00:54
From: James Kelly
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

The piano looks rather small -is it under 5 ' ? The double legs at the front where popular on certain models and I have seen that on pianos built in the early 1900's. R4 on the plate may or may not provide a clue unless a piano with a similar mark but with a name as well can be found. A serial number is helpful but the other numbers are just part numbers. It could be a stencil piano that was just ginned out of a factory and any name could be on it. The lyre looks pretty stock almost home made. Did the owners have any history on it such as when and where they got it ? Try using a powerful light and magnification on the soundboard and the fall board. You can also check out catalogs that the antiquepianoshop has posted on line. Does the action have any unusual parts in it such as strange looking whippens ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 23:05
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

Krell, Packard, Starr, Starck, it could easily be from one of the many factories that were consolidated in the 30's after the crash.
It seems to me that one identifier that is unusual is the shape of the ports in the plate. The pedal lyre looks home made or at least rebuilt to me too and the pedals are pretty small in scale but that might just be the paint job. If you turn the lyre upside down and open up the pedal box you might find something interesting. The gate legs are fairly unusual but not unique. The last bit of information would be the whippen design.
It does look to be from the 30's to me.
At  the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what name was stenciled on it. I guess you could call it a classic generic American piano from pre WWII.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 10:12
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

My piano is  about 4' 10" , to the keyslip .  A piano shop, I used to work for , would call these "infant grands"  but Fetal Grand is a new one to me :)

Unfortunately , the people that gave it too me had absolutely zero info , her husband bought it for her out of a newspaper ad years and years ago.

I'll try again with a more powerful light and look for a magnifying glass or something similar for the soundboard and fallboard like you said.

Thanks for pointing me to Antique Piano Shop.   I'll attach a pic here , and the link,

The only place I see that exact style pedal lyre ,  , is on the lyon and healy.   https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/lyon-healy/

Sure Lyon and Healy marked their harps , but maybe after Aeolien bought the L+H name , perhaps the factory just started using the "generic to the factory harps" ?

the piano with the similar pedal lyre- is in the catalog on the far right on pg. 17 , (I attached a screenshot from the catalog, and the piano they have) and the piano they are selling for a restoration at the very bottom of the page, has that similar lyre;   I'll be getting the action after the weekend,  either Monday or Tuesday , thanks for all the extra pointers ,

( I had to edit this post , because at first I thought that the piano they were restoring had the grove-leg corners , but it doesn't )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 06:09
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I believe that was manufactured by the Fetal Grand Piano Company.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 00:54
From: James Kelly
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

The piano looks rather small -is it under 5 ' ? The double legs at the front where popular on certain models and I have seen that on pianos built in the early 1900's. R4 on the plate may or may not provide a clue unless a piano with a similar mark but with a name as well can be found. A serial number is helpful but the other numbers are just part numbers. It could be a stencil piano that was just ginned out of a factory and any name could be on it. The lyre looks pretty stock almost home made. Did the owners have any history on it such as when and where they got it ? Try using a powerful light and magnification on the soundboard and the fall board. You can also check out catalogs that the antiquepianoshop has posted on line. Does the action have any unusual parts in it such as strange looking whippens ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 23:05
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

The Antique Piano Shop has quite a collection. I did see this Kranich and Bach with a similar plate design. (1909)

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 16:59
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Krell, Packard, Starr, Starck, it could easily be from one of the many factories that were consolidated in the 30's after the crash.
It seems to me that one identifier that is unusual is the shape of the ports in the plate. The pedal lyre looks home made or at least rebuilt to me too and the pedals are pretty small in scale but that might just be the paint job. If you turn the lyre upside down and open up the pedal box you might find something interesting. The gate legs are fairly unusual but not unique. The last bit of information would be the whippen design.
It does look to be from the 30's to me.
At  the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what name was stenciled on it. I guess you could call it a classic generic American piano from pre WWII.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 10:12
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

My piano is  about 4' 10" , to the keyslip .  A piano shop, I used to work for , would call these "infant grands"  but Fetal Grand is a new one to me :)

Unfortunately , the people that gave it too me had absolutely zero info , her husband bought it for her out of a newspaper ad years and years ago.

I'll try again with a more powerful light and look for a magnifying glass or something similar for the soundboard and fallboard like you said.

Thanks for pointing me to Antique Piano Shop.   I'll attach a pic here , and the link,

The only place I see that exact style pedal lyre ,  , is on the lyon and healy.   https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/lyon-healy/

Sure Lyon and Healy marked their harps , but maybe after Aeolien bought the L+H name , perhaps the factory just started using the "generic to the factory harps" ?

the piano with the similar pedal lyre- is in the catalog on the far right on pg. 17 , (I attached a screenshot from the catalog, and the piano they have) and the piano they are selling for a restoration at the very bottom of the page, has that similar lyre;   I'll be getting the action after the weekend,  either Monday or Tuesday , thanks for all the extra pointers ,

( I had to edit this post , because at first I thought that the piano they were restoring had the grove-leg corners , but it doesn't )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 06:09
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I believe that was manufactured by the Fetal Grand Piano Company.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 00:54
From: James Kelly
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

The piano looks rather small -is it under 5 ' ? The double legs at the front where popular on certain models and I have seen that on pianos built in the early 1900's. R4 on the plate may or may not provide a clue unless a piano with a similar mark but with a name as well can be found. A serial number is helpful but the other numbers are just part numbers. It could be a stencil piano that was just ginned out of a factory and any name could be on it. The lyre looks pretty stock almost home made. Did the owners have any history on it such as when and where they got it ? Try using a powerful light and magnification on the soundboard and the fall board. You can also check out catalogs that the antiquepianoshop has posted on line. Does the action have any unusual parts in it such as strange looking whippens ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 23:05
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

So , I got a private message from a tech (not sure if he wants his name mentioned so I will refrain unless he says it's all right)
mentioning the Brambach piano company , 
When I looked up the link , I see this exact piano - including the exact style of double legs , and double legs in the back even; which I never had seen before ,  in the advertisement , I'll attach the screenshot ,  even the pedal lyre is the same --(taking the paint off the pedal lyre today , I found an engravement of the serial number on the underside )

and link is on , https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/brambach/
I think we found it ! ?
thanks so much everybody for posting...



------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 16:59
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Krell, Packard, Starr, Starck, it could easily be from one of the many factories that were consolidated in the 30's after the crash.
It seems to me that one identifier that is unusual is the shape of the ports in the plate. The pedal lyre looks home made or at least rebuilt to me too and the pedals are pretty small in scale but that might just be the paint job. If you turn the lyre upside down and open up the pedal box you might find something interesting. The gate legs are fairly unusual but not unique. The last bit of information would be the whippen design.
It does look to be from the 30's to me.
At  the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what name was stenciled on it. I guess you could call it a classic generic American piano from pre WWII.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 10:12
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

My piano is  about 4' 10" , to the keyslip .  A piano shop, I used to work for , would call these "infant grands"  but Fetal Grand is a new one to me :)

Unfortunately , the people that gave it too me had absolutely zero info , her husband bought it for her out of a newspaper ad years and years ago.

I'll try again with a more powerful light and look for a magnifying glass or something similar for the soundboard and fallboard like you said.

Thanks for pointing me to Antique Piano Shop.   I'll attach a pic here , and the link,

The only place I see that exact style pedal lyre ,  , is on the lyon and healy.   https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/lyon-healy/

Sure Lyon and Healy marked their harps , but maybe after Aeolien bought the L+H name , perhaps the factory just started using the "generic to the factory harps" ?

the piano with the similar pedal lyre- is in the catalog on the far right on pg. 17 , (I attached a screenshot from the catalog, and the piano they have) and the piano they are selling for a restoration at the very bottom of the page, has that similar lyre;   I'll be getting the action after the weekend,  either Monday or Tuesday , thanks for all the extra pointers ,

( I had to edit this post , because at first I thought that the piano they were restoring had the grove-leg corners , but it doesn't )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 06:09
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I believe that was manufactured by the Fetal Grand Piano Company.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 00:54
From: James Kelly
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

The piano looks rather small -is it under 5 ' ? The double legs at the front where popular on certain models and I have seen that on pianos built in the early 1900's. R4 on the plate may or may not provide a clue unless a piano with a similar mark but with a name as well can be found. A serial number is helpful but the other numbers are just part numbers. It could be a stencil piano that was just ginned out of a factory and any name could be on it. The lyre looks pretty stock almost home made. Did the owners have any history on it such as when and where they got it ? Try using a powerful light and magnification on the soundboard and the fall board. You can also check out catalogs that the antiquepianoshop has posted on line. Does the action have any unusual parts in it such as strange looking whippens ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 23:05
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

Looks like I'll be lucky to get 800$ for it when it's all said and done ...

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2019 11:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I got a private message from a tech (not sure if he wants his name mentioned so I will refrain unless he says it's all right)
mentioning the Brambach piano company ,
When I looked up the link , I see this exact piano - including the exact style of double legs , and double legs in the back even; which I never had seen before ,  in the advertisement , I'll attach the screenshot ,  even the pedal lyre is the same --(taking the paint off the pedal lyre today , I found an engravement of the serial number on the underside )

and link is on , https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/brambach/
I think we found it ! ?
thanks so much everybody for posting...



------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 16:59
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Krell, Packard, Starr, Starck, it could easily be from one of the many factories that were consolidated in the 30's after the crash.
It seems to me that one identifier that is unusual is the shape of the ports in the plate. The pedal lyre looks home made or at least rebuilt to me too and the pedals are pretty small in scale but that might just be the paint job. If you turn the lyre upside down and open up the pedal box you might find something interesting. The gate legs are fairly unusual but not unique. The last bit of information would be the whippen design.
It does look to be from the 30's to me.
At  the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what name was stenciled on it. I guess you could call it a classic generic American piano from pre WWII.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 10:12
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

My piano is  about 4' 10" , to the keyslip .  A piano shop, I used to work for , would call these "infant grands"  but Fetal Grand is a new one to me :)

Unfortunately , the people that gave it too me had absolutely zero info , her husband bought it for her out of a newspaper ad years and years ago.

I'll try again with a more powerful light and look for a magnifying glass or something similar for the soundboard and fallboard like you said.

Thanks for pointing me to Antique Piano Shop.   I'll attach a pic here , and the link,

The only place I see that exact style pedal lyre ,  , is on the lyon and healy.   https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/lyon-healy/

Sure Lyon and Healy marked their harps , but maybe after Aeolien bought the L+H name , perhaps the factory just started using the "generic to the factory harps" ?

the piano with the similar pedal lyre- is in the catalog on the far right on pg. 17 , (I attached a screenshot from the catalog, and the piano they have) and the piano they are selling for a restoration at the very bottom of the page, has that similar lyre;   I'll be getting the action after the weekend,  either Monday or Tuesday , thanks for all the extra pointers ,

( I had to edit this post , because at first I thought that the piano they were restoring had the grove-leg corners , but it doesn't )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 06:09
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I believe that was manufactured by the Fetal Grand Piano Company.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 00:54
From: James Kelly
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

The piano looks rather small -is it under 5 ' ? The double legs at the front where popular on certain models and I have seen that on pianos built in the early 1900's. R4 on the plate may or may not provide a clue unless a piano with a similar mark but with a name as well can be found. A serial number is helpful but the other numbers are just part numbers. It could be a stencil piano that was just ginned out of a factory and any name could be on it. The lyre looks pretty stock almost home made. Did the owners have any history on it such as when and where they got it ? Try using a powerful light and magnification on the soundboard and the fall board. You can also check out catalogs that the antiquepianoshop has posted on line. Does the action have any unusual parts in it such as strange looking whippens ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 23:05
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

Not bad considering it originally sold for $495. What a good investment.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2019 12:27
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Looks like I'll be lucky to get 800$ for it when it's all said and done ...

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2019 11:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I got a private message from a tech (not sure if he wants his name mentioned so I will refrain unless he says it's all right)
mentioning the Brambach piano company ,
When I looked up the link , I see this exact piano - including the exact style of double legs , and double legs in the back even; which I never had seen before ,  in the advertisement , I'll attach the screenshot ,  even the pedal lyre is the same --(taking the paint off the pedal lyre today , I found an engravement of the serial number on the underside )

and link is on , https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/brambach/
I think we found it ! ?
thanks so much everybody for posting...



------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 16:59
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Krell, Packard, Starr, Starck, it could easily be from one of the many factories that were consolidated in the 30's after the crash.
It seems to me that one identifier that is unusual is the shape of the ports in the plate. The pedal lyre looks home made or at least rebuilt to me too and the pedals are pretty small in scale but that might just be the paint job. If you turn the lyre upside down and open up the pedal box you might find something interesting. The gate legs are fairly unusual but not unique. The last bit of information would be the whippen design.
It does look to be from the 30's to me.
At  the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what name was stenciled on it. I guess you could call it a classic generic American piano from pre WWII.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 10:12
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

My piano is  about 4' 10" , to the keyslip .  A piano shop, I used to work for , would call these "infant grands"  but Fetal Grand is a new one to me :)

Unfortunately , the people that gave it too me had absolutely zero info , her husband bought it for her out of a newspaper ad years and years ago.

I'll try again with a more powerful light and look for a magnifying glass or something similar for the soundboard and fallboard like you said.

Thanks for pointing me to Antique Piano Shop.   I'll attach a pic here , and the link,

The only place I see that exact style pedal lyre ,  , is on the lyon and healy.   https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/lyon-healy/

Sure Lyon and Healy marked their harps , but maybe after Aeolien bought the L+H name , perhaps the factory just started using the "generic to the factory harps" ?

the piano with the similar pedal lyre- is in the catalog on the far right on pg. 17 , (I attached a screenshot from the catalog, and the piano they have) and the piano they are selling for a restoration at the very bottom of the page, has that similar lyre;   I'll be getting the action after the weekend,  either Monday or Tuesday , thanks for all the extra pointers ,

( I had to edit this post , because at first I thought that the piano they were restoring had the grove-leg corners , but it doesn't )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 06:09
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I believe that was manufactured by the Fetal Grand Piano Company.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 00:54
From: James Kelly
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

The piano looks rather small -is it under 5 ' ? The double legs at the front where popular on certain models and I have seen that on pianos built in the early 1900's. R4 on the plate may or may not provide a clue unless a piano with a similar mark but with a name as well can be found. A serial number is helpful but the other numbers are just part numbers. It could be a stencil piano that was just ginned out of a factory and any name could be on it. The lyre looks pretty stock almost home made. Did the owners have any history on it such as when and where they got it ? Try using a powerful light and magnification on the soundboard and the fall board. You can also check out catalogs that the antiquepianoshop has posted on line. Does the action have any unusual parts in it such as strange looking whippens ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 23:05
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

Found this postcard of the piano company in the ad you posted. Nice showroom, huh?



------------------------------
Richard Adkins
Piano Technician
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2019 11:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I got a private message from a tech (not sure if he wants his name mentioned so I will refrain unless he says it's all right)
mentioning the Brambach piano company ,
When I looked up the link , I see this exact piano - including the exact style of double legs , and double legs in the back even; which I never had seen before ,  in the advertisement , I'll attach the screenshot ,  even the pedal lyre is the same --(taking the paint off the pedal lyre today , I found an engravement of the serial number on the underside )

and link is on , https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/brambach/
I think we found it ! ?
thanks so much everybody for posting...



------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 16:59
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Krell, Packard, Starr, Starck, it could easily be from one of the many factories that were consolidated in the 30's after the crash.
It seems to me that one identifier that is unusual is the shape of the ports in the plate. The pedal lyre looks home made or at least rebuilt to me too and the pedals are pretty small in scale but that might just be the paint job. If you turn the lyre upside down and open up the pedal box you might find something interesting. The gate legs are fairly unusual but not unique. The last bit of information would be the whippen design.
It does look to be from the 30's to me.
At  the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what name was stenciled on it. I guess you could call it a classic generic American piano from pre WWII.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 10:12
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

My piano is  about 4' 10" , to the keyslip .  A piano shop, I used to work for , would call these "infant grands"  but Fetal Grand is a new one to me :)

Unfortunately , the people that gave it too me had absolutely zero info , her husband bought it for her out of a newspaper ad years and years ago.

I'll try again with a more powerful light and look for a magnifying glass or something similar for the soundboard and fallboard like you said.

Thanks for pointing me to Antique Piano Shop.   I'll attach a pic here , and the link,

The only place I see that exact style pedal lyre ,  , is on the lyon and healy.   https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/lyon-healy/

Sure Lyon and Healy marked their harps , but maybe after Aeolien bought the L+H name , perhaps the factory just started using the "generic to the factory harps" ?

the piano with the similar pedal lyre- is in the catalog on the far right on pg. 17 , (I attached a screenshot from the catalog, and the piano they have) and the piano they are selling for a restoration at the very bottom of the page, has that similar lyre;   I'll be getting the action after the weekend,  either Monday or Tuesday , thanks for all the extra pointers ,

( I had to edit this post , because at first I thought that the piano they were restoring had the grove-leg corners , but it doesn't )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 06:09
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I believe that was manufactured by the Fetal Grand Piano Company.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 00:54
From: James Kelly
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

The piano looks rather small -is it under 5 ' ? The double legs at the front where popular on certain models and I have seen that on pianos built in the early 1900's. R4 on the plate may or may not provide a clue unless a piano with a similar mark but with a name as well can be found. A serial number is helpful but the other numbers are just part numbers. It could be a stencil piano that was just ginned out of a factory and any name could be on it. The lyre looks pretty stock almost home made. Did the owners have any history on it such as when and where they got it ? Try using a powerful light and magnification on the soundboard and the fall board. You can also check out catalogs that the antiquepianoshop has posted on line. Does the action have any unusual parts in it such as strange looking whippens ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 23:05
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------

Brambach was the first thing to come to my mind when this thread started. If the bass section has no guide pins for the bass strings, and the action has no knuckles (rather machined directly into the shanks), it is a pretty sure bet that it is a Brambach. They were "famous" for producing cheap (affordable? ) stencil pianos back then. 

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-19-2019 11:31
From: Richard Adkins
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?



Found this postcard of the piano company in the ad you posted. Nice showroom, huh?



------------------------------
Richard Adkins
Piano Technician
Coe College
Cedar Rapids, IA

Original Message:
Sent: 05-18-2019 11:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I got a private message from a tech (not sure if he wants his name mentioned so I will refrain unless he says it's all right)
mentioning the Brambach piano company ,
When I looked up the link , I see this exact piano - including the exact style of double legs , and double legs in the back even; which I never had seen before ,  in the advertisement , I'll attach the screenshot ,  even the pedal lyre is the same --(taking the paint off the pedal lyre today , I found an engravement of the serial number on the underside )

and link is on , https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/brambach/
I think we found it ! ?
thanks so much everybody for posting...



------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 16:59
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Krell, Packard, Starr, Starck, it could easily be from one of the many factories that were consolidated in the 30's after the crash.
It seems to me that one identifier that is unusual is the shape of the ports in the plate. The pedal lyre looks home made or at least rebuilt to me too and the pedals are pretty small in scale but that might just be the paint job. If you turn the lyre upside down and open up the pedal box you might find something interesting. The gate legs are fairly unusual but not unique. The last bit of information would be the whippen design.
It does look to be from the 30's to me.
At  the end of the day, it really doesn't matter what name was stenciled on it. I guess you could call it a classic generic American piano from pre WWII.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 10:12
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

My piano is  about 4' 10" , to the keyslip .  A piano shop, I used to work for , would call these "infant grands"  but Fetal Grand is a new one to me :)

Unfortunately , the people that gave it too me had absolutely zero info , her husband bought it for her out of a newspaper ad years and years ago.

I'll try again with a more powerful light and look for a magnifying glass or something similar for the soundboard and fallboard like you said.

Thanks for pointing me to Antique Piano Shop.   I'll attach a pic here , and the link,

The only place I see that exact style pedal lyre ,  , is on the lyon and healy.   https://antiquepianoshop.com/online-museum/lyon-healy/

Sure Lyon and Healy marked their harps , but maybe after Aeolien bought the L+H name , perhaps the factory just started using the "generic to the factory harps" ?

the piano with the similar pedal lyre- is in the catalog on the far right on pg. 17 , (I attached a screenshot from the catalog, and the piano they have) and the piano they are selling for a restoration at the very bottom of the page, has that similar lyre;   I'll be getting the action after the weekend,  either Monday or Tuesday , thanks for all the extra pointers ,

( I had to edit this post , because at first I thought that the piano they were restoring had the grove-leg corners , but it doesn't )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 06:09
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I believe that was manufactured by the Fetal Grand Piano Company.

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 05-17-2019 00:54
From: James Kelly
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

The piano looks rather small -is it under 5 ' ? The double legs at the front where popular on certain models and I have seen that on pianos built in the early 1900's. R4 on the plate may or may not provide a clue unless a piano with a similar mark but with a name as well can be found. A serial number is helpful but the other numbers are just part numbers. It could be a stencil piano that was just ginned out of a factory and any name could be on it. The lyre looks pretty stock almost home made. Did the owners have any history on it such as when and where they got it ? Try using a powerful light and magnification on the soundboard and the fall board. You can also check out catalogs that the antiquepianoshop has posted on line. Does the action have any unusual parts in it such as strange looking whippens ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 23:05
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Leg Close -up

------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 22:54
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

Thanks for the quick responses !  Glad to see a community of Techs :)
Here are the pics everyone has asked for , I haven't finished getting the paint off the lid and pedal-lyre yet ,

(and the harp-felt has all been a medium-dark red )


------------------------------
D DiCello
Pianist
Rockford Il
555-555-5555

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 20:30
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

I think it would help if you sent us a picture of the entire piano that would help. Also close ups of the legs, pedal lyre, and string frame. Also the music desk, as well as the color of the felt that's under the strings. Also, ask your tech about getting a picture of the wippen. Often these are indicators....

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 19:06
From: Jon Page
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

A photo of the entire string frame might help with its configuration to ascertain the manufacturer..

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2019 17:50
From: D DiCello
Subject: Please help identify this baby grand piano with minimal markings?

So , I picked up this baby grand piano a short time ago from an elderly couple that wanted it out of their house , for free pickup.
I kept trying to get any info that I could about it ,  but she told me that she had painted over the entire thing with multiple coats of white paint, years ago and doesn't remember what brand name it was .

On the phone she said R4 is on the harp,  I asked her to look at the harp for any more info before I stop by , and she did find the serial number (on the soundboard "top - side" not on the harp) #23487 is on the soundboard like she said .  (searching that number doesn't give much , since it could be so many different companies?  Unless I'm wrong and someone here can narrow it down - especially with the extra clues I found after stripping it and looking over all the parts , etc.. )

Eventually I  figured I would find a logo or search online and get a good idea of the older practices of manufacturing and figure it out, but I didn't find much to go on.

So , besides being old , there isn't anything functionally wrong with the piano , so I took it home ;  but,  I thought for sure I would find the logo somewhere ... but I didn't, but I did get a little more info here :

The extra info I did find was this company seemed to put serial numbers on matching parts ,  the action has a copy of the full serial number engraved in the wood on the front , and there's a  partial number , the last 4 digits on the left checkblock /  besides the full serial number on the soundboard)

  Maybe that's a clue?  I know not every company has the serial number on the action and partial on the left cheek-block.

I spent the spring months removing the paint from every part of the piano , sanding and polishing (it looks like beautiful wood underneath ) , I was hoping to remove the layer of paint to at least view the logo from the fallboard , but it didn't show up .  After paint stripping , sanding and polish , the piano is a beautiful piece .

My tech came by to pick up the action for a regulation and he said that the harps from the older factories did just make a bunch at a time , and didn't logo them so they could put them inside any "brand name" they owned , and put them in anything.

  My tech said that my guess that this could be an Aeolian manufacture could be a good guess. ?

I'll include a pic of the stamp on the harp and the last 4 numbers on the cheek-block , but my tech has the action until he's done with the regulation; when he's finished I can try to add it to the thread or edit this post .

Thanks for any info,
Domenic



​​

------------------------------
http://dicellopiano.webs.com
------------------------------