Hi there,

Looking for any assistance in identifying the manufacturer of a piano I bought recently (still to be delivered). It is badged as a "Paul Roland" which extensive searches of Google suggests is neither a brandname or manufacturer.

It is 134cm wide and 57cm deep. I've no figure for the height as I don't think the 23cm [sic] figure given is correct(!).

The only reference to a Paul Roland piano I can find is this:

http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/paul-roland:-a-mahogany-cased-overstrung-and-unde-1-c-okiir6642n

There is a reference to a folk-punk musician called Paul Roland here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Roland

There is a picture of the piano here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bpwilliams/3980732660/

My thought at the moment is perhaps this Mr Roland had the piano made for him and later sold it at auction. Alternatively, I suppose he could have made it, but I think that unlikely.

I would welcome more experienced thoughts.

Ben

Looks English or European to me, two pedal pushing me more toward Euro. Looks older like 1930's - early 1940's. Nothing in my files re. this maker, if the name is actually a maker.

What a neat case. It's 85 keys so that's pretty old but I don't have expertise as to when they completely stopped making 85-key models.

Pictures showing the plate and action might be more revealing.

When it arrives I'll post some, if it's not clearer from what's inside.

It reminds me of a Knight.

BDB, we will know immediately upon seeing pictures of the plate if you are correct.

BDB,
I thought of Knight also. Don't remember any two pedal Knights, but the age on this may fool us.

During and after WW2 many older European uprights had their cases 'modernised' and restored (not rebuilt) as there were not enough new materials around to make new models. The square legs were changed to the pictured bow type and the traditional square edge top lid was cut away at the corners and rounded edges fitted to create the classic 40's and 50's style. The UK trade viewpoint is that the end result unfortunately gave the 'modernised' piano a more dated look and consequently less value.

Most of the early Knights (30's and 40's) had a one piece support instead of a leg and this piano looks from the one pic a tad too tall for that. Also,the Knight name on the fallboard was usually brass inlaid which would make it illogical to replace it with a stencil.

In the unlikely event of it being an early Knight, check out the iron frame as they were prone to cracking.

Some very helpful responses here. Thank you.

A little further forward... Still not sure on the manufacturer, but the action inside is Herrburger Brooks, Ltd. It has a full iron frame and currently, after moving, is about a semi-tone out. Tuning it down for now, looking to bring it up over a couple of tunings, assuming it holds pitch.

The tuner reckons it's somewhere between 70 and 80 years old. The case is in remarkably good condition for that.

Ben

hi guys,
for my two pence worth I would say that this piano may well be a Kemble. The case work is very similar to those made by them previous to the Kemble Minx.
have fun deliberating
John Gill.