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Joined: Jan 2014
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Ok... so I posted this in the piano forum and it was suggested to me to also post this here. Hello everyone. Ok, so my boss has this really nice looking upright piano sitting in the lobby of our car lot. It has been in his possession for a few years now and he has no intention of selling it. He has tasked me to find out who made the piano, how old it is, and a value for insurance reasons. So with that being said, here is what we know about it. He purchased the piano used from an older woman for $500.00. She told him that the piano had been in her family since new. She moved to Tennessee and had no where to put it so she decided to sell it. She lived in New Jersey and the piano was purchased new in that area. She didn't know how long ago exactly, but it was a LONG time ago. The piano was passed down to her. When my boss got it, it was blue. the entire piano was painted a light blue color that he thought was ugly so he sanded it down and refinished it. We have been over the whole thing with a fine tooth comb and can't find any brand markings whatsoever. The only marking on it is the serial number. The serial number is 62622 and it is stamped into the upper inside of the case as well as on the outside of the rear of the piano. Can anyone out there help us with this??? I've done some research online and can't seem to find one that looks anything like this one. Any and all info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
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The style of the case and the ¾ plate make me think the piano is from around 1900. I've never seen an exposed pin block with mahogany veneer before, FWIW.
The only place you'll be likely to find a brand name at all would be on the plate, I think, since it's not on the pin block.
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The cabinet appears to have detail pieces missing on the inset panels of the front board or perhaps just a sub-standard refinishing job.
Appears that some action work has been completed, and perhaps some keyboard work as the key tops look in fairly good condition. All of these older tall uprights are of low value now. Could be a stencil piano.
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The cabinet appears to have detail pieces missing on the inset panels of the front board or perhaps just a sub-standard refinishing job.
Appears that some action work has been completed, and perhaps some keyboard work as the key tops look in fairly good condition. All of these older tall uprights are of low value now. Could be a stencil piano.
Thanks. There has been some work done on the action. My boss had a tech come out about a year ago and he tuned the piano and replaced some parts, but he can't remember what all he did. Also there are some designs on the inset panels that the camera won't pick up. The tech was also very interested in buying the piano from him but he does not want to sell it. I will try to get a picture of the designs on the inset panels and post them here.
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Ok, so after taking like 10 more pictures and playing with photoshop, I was able to bring out the design work somewhat. It has the same design on both inset panels. The piano was originally painted a light blue color when he got it so some of the detail was lost in sanding off the blue paint. We also believe that the blue paint was the original finish it came with because there is evidence of blue paint in areas that it wouldn't have been if someone had just painted it themselves. here is the pic of the design:
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Pianos like that were assembled from stock parts to order and a name was stenciled to a decal on the fallboard. The manufacturer was anonymous, usually. They really have no value, other than what someone will give for them. In many cases, people have to pay to have them hauled away. The best estimate for insurance value would be what was paid for it.
Semipro Tech
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There is no need to even call the insurance to ask about or tell them about this piano. Its value for insurance purposes is the replacement value which is a few hundred or less. Pianos like that are available free for the hauling in most jurisdictions these days.
If it were any kind of brand with a (good) reputation the name would be prominently displayed on the inside at least. Even then, the value for insurance purposes is essentially zilch.
JG
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The style of how the serial number is displayed reminds me of how Kimball presented theirs.
Eric Gloo Piano Technician Certified Dampp-Chaser Installer Richfield Springs, New York
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Thanks to everyone for the input. We really didn't think it was worth much, but we would really like to figure out who made it. I just took off the knee board and checked all over the plate for any markings, and there are none. here are pics: Any further input would be greatly appreciated.
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Sure looks like a Kimball to me. I once worked on one with the same cabinet style also. The 3/4 harp and S# stamp are also very Kimballeque.
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Hi Eric and Andrew: It could be Kimball, but I do not see brass hammer butt flanges typical of the old Kimball uprights. Whether or not Kimball used these exclusively during the era in question, I do not know. Wood flanges may have been used as well; I just do not remember seeing these. Andrew, did the one you worked on have wood or brass?
Last edited by bkw58; 01/21/14 07:49 PM. Reason: clarity
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I just checked my records on an old (1892) Kimball upright I used to service. It had wood flanges. "If" the piano in question here is a Kimball, the serial number puts it at approximately 1898.
Eric Gloo Piano Technician Certified Dampp-Chaser Installer Richfield Springs, New York
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I just checked my records on an old (1892) Kimball upright I used to service. It had wood flanges. "If" the piano in question here is a Kimball, the serial number puts it at approximately 1898. Thanks, Eric. Why Kimball changed to brass, I'll never know. Didn't particularly enjoy working with these.
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Hi Eric and Andrew: It could be Kimball, but I do not see brass hammer butt flanges typical of the old Kimball uprights. Whether or not Kimball used these exclusively during the era in question, I do not know. Wood flanges may have been used as well; I just do not remember seeing these. Andrew, did the one you worked on have wood or brass? That is a very good question. I last saw this piano maybe 15 - 20 years ago. I keep pretty good records of the grands I rebuild but not always so with the old uprights, at least back then. I may have to stand down from my guess as to Kimball, because you are certainly right about them usually using brass rails (I didn't pay attention to the right picture I guess). Everything else sure feels like a Kimball. I have seen a couple of these that had a real "Kimball" feel, but didn't have the name anyplace. However the cabinet, especially the arms, are just like the one I did (veneer pealing which I will never forget trying to fix). So move me to the "probably Kimball" category. But regardless as to its provenance, it has no value at all.
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Thanks, Andrew. Eric says Kimball used wood butt flanges in 1892. All that I seem to recall is the brass rail with the butt plates. I may not have worked on any Kimballs quite that old. (BTW: To all techs: I do not know if the piano supply companies still distribute the brass butt plates and repair clips. I may still have a hand full or so with a few screws. If anyone wants 'em, PM a USA mailing address. I may still have the little tool too. First come, first served. )
Last edited by bkw58; 01/21/14 08:52 PM. Reason: clarity
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I think Andrew is right about it being a Kimball.
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Quality Motors, in the end it probably won't be possible to identify the maker with certainly. You are not going to get better than the "it looks like" which experienced technicians have suggested here. It's the same in the UK. "Badged" or "stencil name" pianos abound, and it simply isn't possible, in a great many cases, to determine, at a remove of fifty, sixty or more years, what factory they came out of. Does it matter that much anyway?
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Thanks to everyone for the help. My boss dug through some paperwork and found the receipt from the service he had done. The tech that tuned it put on the ticket that it is a kimball. So, I guess that answers my questions. Once again, Thanks for all the help and info.
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It would have actually been badged WW Kimball then. Every old Kimball we have in the warehouse has that rectangle branding around the serial number
J. Christie Nashville Piano Rescue www.NashvillePianoRescue.comEast Nashville Bowling Green, KY Scottsville KY. Chamber of Commerce Member/Sponsor Putting inspiration in the hands of area musicians Through restoration/renovation
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It would have actually been badged WW Kimball then. Every old Kimball we have in the warehouse has that rectangle branding around the serial number What exactly do you mean by "badged"?
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