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I suppose you are going to visit the restauration workshop at Maene pianos in Belgium to see this vintage Steinway; I know they have quite a reputation for that type of work?
I am just an ordinary forum member - pîano owner from Belgium, so I probably am not the kind of people you are looking for to meet if your aim is to exchange technical expertise. But if you want you can always e-mail me your touring schedule in Belgium through this forum.
Enjoy your stay and don't forget to taste the hundreds of different beers (not an expert in that department either) or chocolate if you prefer!
Hello Larry and the others that are coming to Belgium. My name is Dieter Machielsen and I am a 37 years old grand piano rebuilder from Antwerp Belgium. My company is named MELODI. Great that you're coming to Belgium. Apart from going to Brussels you should certainly also visit Antwerp wich is the second biggest city in Belgium, known for its cathedral, diamond centre, fashion and great cultural heritage. Did you know that in the 17th and 18th century we had worldknown clavichord builders in Antwerp, like for instance Ruckers. I would be honoured to welcome you in my (little)workshop where I rebuild subtop grand pianos from 1870 to 1930 of brands like Bechstein, Blüthner, Rönisch, Pleyel, Bösendorfer a.s.o. Maybe two other places to see is the collection of Chris Maene in Brussels and the collection of Peter van Heirseele in Ostend (where Marvin Gaye used to recover). Maene also built three copies of the first (1837) Steinway fortepiano. I saw his presentation at the pianotuner and rebuilders gathering in Antwerp last week. A fact is that he always runs off with all the cradits, it's always Maene here, Maene there, when there is a lot of other interesting people in pianoland in Belgium. One of them is Peter van Heirseele, a.k.a. Herrseele, he has a great collection of historical uprights and grands, Belgium made and European. If I ask him I'm shure he would be thrilled to show you around. I can also show you around in Antwerp, I lived there for my whole life, and it's worth the deviation (40 min. by car or train from Brussels) Feel free to contact me at 0032 486 203 202 (cellphone) or 0032 3 216 05 70 (phone) My email address is info@melodi.be kind regards Dieter
Hi Larry and friends, sounds like you already have a lot lined up for you on your visit! I'll be moving house around that time so it'll be a little difficult to meet up, but I can happily help with hotel reccomendations, travel advice, etc.
Be sure to try some good Belgian beer while you're here, and of course mussels with chips.
My Keyboards: Estonia L-190, Roland RD88, Yamaha P-80, Bilhorn Telescope Organ c 1880, Antique Pump Organ, 1850 concertina, 3 other digital pianos ------------------------- My original piece on BandCamp: https://frankbaxtermrpianoworld.bandcamp.com/releases
Me banging out some tunes in the Estonia piano booth at the NAMM show...
I have tons of pictures but unfortunately no way to upload them as yet.
Had dinner in a 600 year old square last night. That was interesting.
Funny, you start taking pictures of things here because it is so interesting. very qickly you realize you would ending up photographing the entire country if you are not carefull.
We are looking at Steinway's Monitor grand, the 1st one ever produced. It has a cast iron frame above and below the sound board.
The sound board was put in and then the side of the piano put on. If you want to replace the sound board, you have to take the side of the piano off.
I also saw a Theodore Steinway piano he made before he moved to the States. 1st known surving grand ever built. Serial Number 181. Built with a lot of New York parts.
Yes pics. I'll upload pics after I return.
"It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Mark Twain