Pianotech

  • 1.  What is this poor little -- thing

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-24-2023 11:59

    What is this thing? This customer depends on found and donated pianos, changing them out frequently it appears. Last time I was there they had 1925 Marshall & Wendell baby grand that may have been worth the work to make it better. This time I found this... thing. Discounting the obviously miserable condition I'm just wanting to find out what it is. Plate casting and fallboard and soundboard decals tell me it's a Wurlitzer. All other identifying marks have been painted over so the only potential identifier is the number cast in to the plate. The top is wood but the sides are metal and the top has to be lifted off the piano for access to pins and strings. Any idea what this is, and when it may have been made?



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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 2.  RE: What is this poor little -- thing

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-25-2023 11:57

    Geoff,

    I'm betting it is a Wurlitzer. I've seen them with roll top fallboards and the rounded edges and odd design screams Wurlitzer. They did things like this. My quess is 30's or 40's



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    Tremaine Parsons RPT
    Georgetown CA
    (530) 333-9299
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  • 3.  RE: What is this poor little -- thing

    Member
    Posted 11-27-2023 12:30

    Sort of like art deco / designer inspired. The metal case sounds interesting- I like the lift off top !!!! Baldwin and Wurlitzer had some interesting pianos with some models having chrome legs, various inlays, vinyl or naugahyde cases and lids. This model may have been for a bar, lounge, cruise ship. I think there was an aluminum piano made by Ripkin and used on cruise ships. The piano may very well be worth doing over. IOt probably will be post WWII 1950's



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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: What is this poor little -- thing

    Posted 11-28-2023 09:29
    I second the cruise ship possibility. I have a vague memory of tuning a similar piano with a cruise ship history and it was possibly built in the Netherlands, but it was too long ago for me to still have my notes on that one. Your picture brought back a nice and interesting memory. Thanks!

    Sent from my iPhone


    Original Message