Pianotech

     Need help in trying to find possible locations of a serial number on a C Bechstein grand Model B . 

  The number 9324 is stamped in large numbers into the rim and in small numbers in the bottom right corner of the soundboard. According to the Pierce Atlas the piano would be 1877. Since the strings are overstrung  and I am told Bechstein did not have cross stringing that early but had only straight stringing  the 9324 number may not be a serial number. Is it possible the rim and board could have been built in 1877 but the piano was not totally built until later ?
I have looked all over and under the piano for another number- cheek blocks, plate, keyslip, keybed, action, action cavity. I have not taken the lyre off the piano but perhaps there is a number there ? Some time back I had a Knabe
Grand with no serial number in any of the usual places. Finally found a serial number when I took the lyre off for another reason. Perhaps someone who has rebuilt Bechsteins can suggest where I can look or has had the same issue.


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James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
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I've never seen a straight-strung Bechstein. According to the article on Bechstein in Robert Palmieri, ed, Encyclopedia of the Piano, "In the process of creating his new instrument, Bechstein employed cross-stringing on a cast-iron frame..." It's hard to tell what this means--did he use used cross-stringing on his first grand, which he made in 1856 (this would predate the Steinway patent of 1859 by three years), or by the Silver Medal he received in London in 1862? Regardless, there is no reason to doubt that Bechstein grands made in the 1870s were anything but cross-strung. I saw one in the 9900 range recently and it is a fully modern instrument except for the composite rim.

The Bechstein article is at http://books.google.com/books?id=wJikoOk9Kd0C&pg=PA41&lpg=PA41&dq=Bechstein+cross+stringing&source=bl&ots=-Fg1-aJ_G3&sig=wJrUBYTX5hzE2v-H26TtmR-XMu4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mJixT5KALIu08ASs2LHvCA&ved=0CF8Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Bechstein%20cross%20stringing&f=false.

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Mario Igrec
http://www.pianosinsideout.com
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Is the plate open pinblock? I own a 1900 model A2 Bechstein and it has an open pinblock. That might help you narrow down the date of manufacture a bit.

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Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida, USA

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Looks like Terry is back! Al - High Point, NC On May 16, 2012, at 4:50 PM, Terry Farrell wrote: Is the plate open pinblock? I own a 1900 model A2 Bechstein and it has an open pinblock. That might help you narrow down the date of manufacture a bit. ------------------------------------------- Terry Farrell Farrell Piano Service, Inc. Brandon, Florida, USA -------------------------------------------
Original Message: Sent: 05-09-2012 23:55 From: James Kelly Subject: C Bechstein Serial # Locations Need help in trying to find possible locations of a serial number on a C Bechstein grand Model B . The number 9324 is stamped in large numbers into the rim and in small numbers in the bottom right corner of the soundboard. According to the Pierce Atlas the piano would be 1877. Since the strings are overstrung and I am told Bechstein did not have cross stringing that early but had only straight stringing the 9324 number may not be a serial number. Is it possible the rim and board could have been built in 1877 but the piano was not totally built until later ? I have looked all over and under the piano for another number- cheek blocks, plate, keyslip, keybed, action, action cavity. I have not taken the lyre off the piano but perhaps there is a number there ? Some time back I had a Knabe Grand with no serial number in any of the usual places. Finally found a serial number when I took the lyre off for another reason. Perhaps someone who has rebuilt Bechsteins can suggest where I can look or has had the same issue. ------------------------------------------- James Kelly Pawleys Island SC 843-325-4357 -------------------------------------------

Al,
I serviced a Bechstein today and there was a serial # stamped into one of the beams from the underside. This piano was 1889. Big numbers and easy to see.Hope this helps,
 Tom Driscoll


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Thomas Driscoll
Marlboro MA
508-485-0369
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-16-2012 17:07
From: Al Guecia
Subject: C Bechstein Serial # Locations

Looks like Terry is back!

Al -
High Point, NC



On May 16, 2012, at 4:50 PM, Terry Farrell wrote:



Is the plate open pinblock? I own a 1900 model A2 Bechstein and it has an open pinblock. That might help you narrow down the date of manufacture a bit.

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Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida, USA

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Craig Miller
Marietta GA
770-321-9390
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The big serial number stamped on the beam of a Bechstein is not the serial number.
It is a case production number. The serial number was either on the soundboard
(on most 19th century models), or on the plate (most 20th century models). There
has been some cross referencing done by a tech in England that is available on line.
I think you could check the postings on the Yahoo Bechstein Owners Group to find out more.

It was my post that suggested the beam # . I sit corrected.
Gotta love this list in whatever incarnation .
 Tom driscoll
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Thomas Driscoll
Marlboro MA
508-485-0369
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Craig Miller
 Bechstein Serial # Locations



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The big serial number stamped on the beam of a Bechstein is not the serial number.
It is a case production number. The serial number was either on the soundboard
(on most 19th century models), or on the plate (most 20th century models). There
has been some cross referencing done by a tech in England that is available on line.
I think you could check the postings on the Yahoo Bechstein Owners Group to find out more.





-

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Craig Miller
Marietta GA
770-321-9390
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I should have checked this before my previous post, but the Bechstein Case
Number List is available at:

http://webvoice.blogspot.com/bechstein/case-number.htm

This list would date your piano to about 1894.

Craig,

I have a customer with an older Bech. Serial was found on ( back of the key bed between the beam and rim (treble  end ) as viewed from under the piano.  5 digit number and not matching the cabinet number.
Hope this helps.

Gerry Cousins, RPT
Lead Technician West Chester University of PA
gcousins@wcupa.edu
Cousins Instrument Repair Services
GCOUSINS.COM gerry@gcousins.com

PS  Check out a new product to protect fall boards from scratches! www.FallboardArmor.com






Original Message:
Sent: 05-19-2012 08:39
From: Craig Miller
Subject: C Bechstein Serial # Locations



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Craig Miller
Marietta GA
770-321-9390
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I should have checked this before my previous post, but the Bechstein Case
Number List is available at:

http://webvoice.blogspot.com/bechstein/case-number.htm

This list would date your piano to about 1894.