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Thread: Grand piano restoration

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  1. #1
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    Got 4 piano's in the old homestead. All 4 are 'Player Piano's'. Got about 200 piano rolls dating back to early last century which are a mix of classical and honkytonk. Also have titles from Phantom of the opera, Les Mis etc.
    Had to replace the tubing on one a few years back and did some minor repair work on the others but now they all work.....After 'playing' 6 or 7 rolls I feel like I have been to the gym as they are pedal powered.

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by Allgood View Post
    Got 4 piano's in the old homestead. All 4 are 'Player Piano's'. Got about 200 piano rolls dating back to early last century which are a mix of classical and honkytonk. Also have titles from Phantom of the opera, Les Mis etc.
    Had to replace the tubing on one a few years back and did some minor repair work on the others but now they all work.....After 'playing' 6 or 7 rolls I feel like I have been to the gym as they are pedal powered.
    my dad would love that. He's always getting the wife to playhonky tonk and ragtime tunes

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by gonetropo View Post
    condenser mics are fine but do not like "sharp attack" audio as they tend to compress the audio and make it sound metallic.
    but if a piano was awful to mic up a pipe organ was a frickin nightmare !!! i did 2 of them and it was a nightmare
    yeah I bet. I don't think we'd be able to establish a balanced sound if getting too complicated. That's why they have sound engineers right?

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by stevodog View Post
    yeah I bet. I don't think we'd be able to establish a balanced sound if getting too complicated. That's why they have sound engineers right?
    unless you can capture the original sound you are wasting your time, well unless you are in recording what's now commercial audio. i have been in the studio with some people and what they sung to what you get is 2 different stories i assure you

  5. #5
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    My Dad used to have the New Eagle hotel in Bluff in the 1960's When 10 o'clock closing was introduced he pulled out the big U shaped bar and installed a new bar along the back wall and put in more leaners and tables. All very civilised but the trap door to the cellar (formerly in the head of the U) was now in the middle of the room. Whilst changing the tanks one afternoon he heard the local wags put the upright piano on the trap door and announced loudly that they were going to help themselves. He promptly turned off all the tanks and the piano was moved quick smart! The piano was bought at a charity auction at the local convent and we quickly gave it a coat of white paint and a sprinkle of double distilled Irish 'holy water' to exorcise the accumulated demons from its years at the convent! It certainly gave a lot of pleasure in its second life!
    berg243 likes this.

  6. #6
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    Haha, good tail @gundoc. Would be all fishermen and smelter workers and families in bluff?

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by stevodog View Post
    Haha, good tail @gundoc. Would be all fishermen and smelter workers and families in bluff?
    In those days it was fishermen, wharfies and freezing workers mainly. The smelter was not built until later. Mates and I used to row over to Tiwai in a tin dingy and shoot rabbits as it was nothing but desolate waste land.
    Micky Duck and stevodog like this.

  8. #8
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    Very nice, some family friends have an early 1800s Erard, have always liked what a grand brings to a house, would love a baby grand at some point. Impressed with the finish you are achieving, looks a very satisfying project and nice way to add your mark to something with a strong future

  9. #9
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    Yes, its coming up better than expected. Sound should be big and balanced.
    Erards are great pianos with a nuanced sweet balanced sound. Some enthusiasts think these era pianos were made of superior tone woods and have better sound. Actions can be worked to be better than new though still aren't quite as crisp as a modern action. This isn't seen as an impediment to the adept.

    Opinion parroted from my wife
    distant stalker likes this.

  10. #10
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    another night on the polish here. Action went in today and wife is impressed with the touch and control. Regulating and tuning tomorrow, so first concert pitch notes soon.
    Maca49 and Moa Hunter like this.

 

 

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