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Wurlitzer Art Deco design

  • 1.  Wurlitzer Art Deco design

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-24-2024 13:46

    I am going tomorrow to service a 1940's era Art Deco style grand (Wurlitzer).  The client asked 'Will you have someone with you to lift off the lid?  Every other tuner had to have someone help lift off the lid'.  She sent pictures (attached).  It looks like the tuning pins would be exposed sufficient for tuning, so I don't know what to think.  I haven't seen it in person yet.   Any thoughts from the group on this type of lid?



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    Walter Bagnall
    Chillicothe OH
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  • 2.  RE: Wurlitzer Art Deco design

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-24-2024 20:10

    I saw one of these once not that long ago. It was in horrible condition and I'm glad I will never see it again. However, the lid is simply stamped metal. Awkward to handle but not heavy. I was without help on the day I saw mine, I simply pulled over a folding table close to the rear of the piano and slid the top off on to it. The entire top, clear down to the soundboard, is one piece and it just lifts off. 



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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 3.  RE: Wurlitzer Art Deco design

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-25-2024 10:26

    Thanks Geoff,

    Just the advice I was hoping for.  I'll take a folding table with me.



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    Walter Bagnall
    Chillicothe OH
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  • 4.  RE: Wurlitzer Art Deco design

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-25-2024 19:33

    I've worked on a couple Wurlitzers of this design, but it was a long time ago. I don't remember the case being stamped metal - as I recall naugahyde with a flimsy wooden frame. Perhaps the metal ones were extra special. I hope this one is robust & fun to work on! 



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    Patrick Draine RPT
    Billerica MA
    (978) 663-9690
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  • 5.  RE: Wurlitzer Art Deco design

    Member
    Posted 09-25-2024 10:40

    Stamped metal ? that is one bizarre design take plenty of pictures of that bad boy maybe the music desk lifts out of the rest of the lid and you can get to the tuning pins. Is there a lid prop stick ?



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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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  • 6.  RE: Wurlitzer Art Deco design

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-25-2024 11:23

    Here's what the one I worked on looked like with the cover removed. There is no "lid". The fallboard is a rolltop. I posted about it here last November and was told that it was an experimental model and not many of them were ever made. 



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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 7.  RE: Wurlitzer Art Deco design

    Member
    Posted 09-25-2024 12:22

    that is rad probably should be in the PTG museum. I have seen some strange designs like a designer piano that had chrome legs, different material on the case like a naugauhyde . A number of pianos where made of aluminum and used on cruise ships. Do you have any idea when this design was used ? 



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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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  • 8.  RE: Wurlitzer Art Deco design

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-25-2024 14:58

    I'm going tomorrow morning.  I'll take some photos and followup.  The owner said she thought it dated to the '40s, which kind of jives with the Art Deco look.  



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    Walter Bagnall
    Chillicothe OH
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  • 9.  RE: Wurlitzer Art Deco design

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-27-2024 07:53

    Followup to the Wurlitzer grand in the original post with the lift-off lid, photos attached:

    Since the tuning pins were exposed and I could reach the strings for muting, I thought at first that I could tune the piano without removing the top.  But as I started I then realized that a dozen or so of the pins were partially covered by the edge of the lid and I wouldn't be able to reach them.  So the lid had to come off.  It is quite light, maybe 30-40 pounds, and I found it possible to lift off by myself without any assistance or other supports.   Luckily the instrument was well away from any walls or other obstructions so I could easily reach all around it.

    The serial number put it at 1940-1941.  Overall I think it was cheaply made. The top is quite flimsy, and the leg supports are scarily weak looking (pictured).  I'm amazed the thing is still standing on three legs

    5

    after 80 years.  It tuned up well though; harmonics worked out pretty good.  This particular instrument has been reconditioned and restrung about 20 years ago.

    Thanks everyone for commenting and providing advice!

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    Walter Bagnall
    Chillicothe OH
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  • 10.  RE: Wurlitzer Art Deco design

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-26-2024 14:19

    Blüthner made an aluminum piano for the Hindenburg.

    https://www.airships.net/blog/hindenburg-piano/



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    Steven Rosenthal RPT
    Honolulu HI
    (808) 521-7129
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  • 11.  RE: Wurlitzer Art Deco design

    Member
    Posted 09-27-2024 11:43

    easy to clean soundboard . Those years are close to WW2 so maybe parts, supplies , labor was in scarce supply. 



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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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  • 12.  RE: Wurlitzer Art Deco design

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-27-2024 13:38
    Wurlitzer was among those builders who had hired designers for trade show pianos and production art case pianos.  This cabinet had several iterations.  The "flimsy" design was driven by art.  

    There are many wonderful designs in the 30s by several American builders but Wurlitzer was certainly among the best.

    Regards,

    Bill

    Bill Shull, RPT, M.Mus.
    www.shullpiano.com
    www.periodpiano.org
    909 796-4226

    Sent from my iPhone