Pianotech

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

Douglas,

I appreciate the input. I'm in agreement. The goal is to make it a playable instrument, while keeping it as original as possible. I'm guessing that Gregor Heller  or J.D. Grant is the place I should get the strings from. I've only done a quick look at it as it's surrounded by furniture, plants, statues and the lid hinges are missing. Yours and the other responses give me several things to look at when I return for a thorough inspection.

Thank you!

Gene

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

Hi David,

A few things...

1) I don't know if I'm responding to you directly or if this goes to the Group. Many of the posts above this one do not show up in my daily summary. I'm just learning.

2) I will give one obvious example, but many of the other equal temperament aural checks do not confirm proper intervals: a major third/major 10th test to verify a clean A3 - A4 octave does not even come close as with listening to the octave itself for cleanliness. The minor 3rd - major 6th test does not yield satisfying results either. I do not have the piano setup so I can't delve into it any deeper.

3) I tuned a harpsichord at the college where I teach piano technology to 1/4 meantone standard (from RCT library) and each person who came into the room went ugh, that sounds terrible. Some were music professors; however, after I demonstrated to them how the bearing was set, and the different character between several keys, their views changed. Our choral/orchestral director (professor) said after a while, "Oh, those pure thirds relax me."

4) I demonstrated to the whole class a bit later (and I did this theatrically, with one of my students playing the harpsichord) how Chopin's Prelude Op. 28, No. 4 in e minor spoke of an unrequited love until it resolved into a successful tryst. Then she played it on a well-tuned vertical. Yuck! After that, back to the harpsichord for cleansing the palate.

I tuned a Baldwin SF-10 after class that night and found equal temperament excruciatingly harsh.

Convert? Maybe.

Regards,

Peter

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

Hi David,

A few things...

1) I don't know if I'm responding to you directly or if this goes to the Group. Many of the posts above this one do not show up in my daily summary. I'm just learning.

2) I will give one obvious example, but many of the other equal temperament aural checks do not confirm proper intervals: a major third/major 10th test to verify a clean A3 - A4 octave does not even come close as with listening to the octave itself for cleanliness. The minor 3rd - major 6th test does not yield satisfying results either. I do not have the piano setup so I can't delve into it any deeper.

3) I tuned a harpsichord at the college where I teach piano technology to 1/4 meantone standard (from RCT library) and each person who came into the room went ugh, that sounds terrible. Some were music professors; however, after I demonstrated to them how the bearing was set, and the different character between several keys, their views changed. Our choral/orchestral director (professor) said after a while, "Oh, those pure thirds relax me."

4) I demonstrated to the whole class a bit later (and I did this theatrically, with one of my students playing the harpsichord) how Chopin's Prelude Op. 28, No. 4 in e minor spoke of an unrequited love until it resolved into a successful tryst. Then she played it on a well-tuned vertical. Yuck! After that, back to the harpsichord for cleansing the palate.

I tuned a Baldwin SF-10 after class that night and found equal temperament excruciatingly harsh.

Convert? Maybe.

Regards,

Peter

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

Hi David,

A few things...

1) I don't know if I'm responding to you directly or if this goes to the Group. Many of the posts above this one do not show up in my daily summary. I'm just learning.

2) I will give one obvious example, but many of the other equal temperament aural checks do not confirm proper intervals: a major third/major 10th test to verify a clean A3 - A4 octave does not even come close as with listening to the octave itself for cleanliness. The minor 3rd - major 6th test does not yield satisfying results either. I do not have the piano setup so I can't delve into it any deeper.

3) I tuned a harpsichord at the college where I teach piano technology to 1/4 meantone standard (from RCT library) and each person who came into the room went ugh, that sounds terrible. Some were music professors; however, after I demonstrated to them how the bearing was set, and the different character between several keys, their views changed. Our choral/orchestral director (professor) said after a while, "Oh, those pure thirds relax me."

4) I demonstrated to the whole class a bit later (and I did this theatrically, with one of my students playing the harpsichord) how Chopin's Prelude Op. 28, No. 4 in e minor spoke of an unrequited love until it resolved into a successful tryst. Then she played it on a well-tuned vertical. Yuck! After that, back to the harpsichord for cleansing the palate.

I tuned a Baldwin SF-10 after class that night and found equal temperament excruciatingly harsh.

Convert? Maybe.

Regards,

Peter

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

Hi David,

A few things...

1) I don't know if I'm responding to you directly or if this goes to the Group. Many of the posts above this one do not show up in my daily summary. I'm just learning.

2) I will give one obvious example, but many of the other equal temperament aural checks do not confirm proper intervals: a major third/major 10th test to verify a clean A3 - A4 octave does not even come close as with listening to the octave itself for cleanliness. The minor 3rd - major 6th test does not yield satisfying results either. I do not have the piano setup so I can't delve into it any deeper.

3) I tuned a harpsichord at the college where I teach piano technology to 1/4 meantone standard (from RCT library) and each person who came into the room went ugh, that sounds terrible. Some were music professors; however, after I demonstrated to them how the bearing was set, and the different character between several keys, their views changed. Our choral/orchestral director (professor) said after a while, "Oh, those pure thirds relax me."

4) I demonstrated to the whole class a bit later (and I did this theatrically, with one of my students playing the harpsichord) how Chopin's Prelude Op. 28, No. 4 in e minor spoke of an unrequited love until it resolved into a successful tryst. Then she played it on a well-tuned vertical. Yuck! After that, back to the harpsichord for cleansing the palate.

I tuned a Baldwin SF-10 after class that night and found equal temperament excruciatingly harsh.

Convert? Maybe.

Regards,

Peter

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888

Hi David,

A few things...

1) I don't know if I'm responding to you directly or if this goes to the Group. Many of the posts above this one do not show up in my daily summary. I'm just learning.

2) I will give one obvious example, but many of the other equal temperament aural checks do not confirm proper intervals: a major third/major 10th test to verify a clean A3 - A4 octave does not even come close as with listening to the octave itself for cleanliness. The minor 3rd - major 6th test does not yield satisfying results either. I do not have the piano setup so I can't delve into it any deeper.

3) I tuned a harpsichord at the college where I teach piano technology to 1/4 meantone standard (from RCT library) and each person who came into the room went ugh, that sounds terrible. Some were music professors; however, after I demonstrated to them how the bearing was set, and the different character between several keys, their views changed. Our choral/orchestral director (professor) said after a while, "Oh, those pure thirds relax me."

4) I demonstrated to the whole class a bit later (and I did this theatrically, with one of my students playing the harpsichord) how Chopin's Prelude Op. 28, No. 4 in e minor spoke of an unrequited love until it resolved into a successful tryst. Then she played it on a well-tuned vertical. Yuck! After that, back to the harpsichord for cleansing the palate.

I tuned a Baldwin SF-10 after class that night and found equal temperament excruciatingly harsh.

Convert? Maybe.

Regards,

Peter

I've tuned two of the three pianos for a customer who recently moved to my town. The third one is a 7'4" John Broadwood & Sons grand piano. It's in sad shape and the customer was interested in restoring it, or at least getting a price. The keyslip is hinged, and on the inside of it is stamped the number 22525. Pierce Atlas puts it circa 1885, although it looks older than that to me. It has oblong tuning pins, dampers under the strings, etc.

I've rebuilt hundreds of pianos, but not one quite like this. I was interested in speaking directly to someone who is familiar with these instruments for some advice.

Thanks in advance!

Gene Taets, R.P.T.

genepiano@gmail.com

(309) 796-2888