I inherited a grand piano. Need help

[torstein]

I inherited a grand piano, from my grandmother. I know almost nothing about pianos, but would love to learn how to play. I've spent all day trying to find out more about it, like where and when it was made. I have found a number that I think may be the serial number, 14515. According to one website, this means that the piano was made some time between 1841 and 1850. I knew the piano was old, but could it really be that old? I appreciate any help in finding more info on this piano. thanks.

[torstein]

I've been reading catalogues of old german pianos like this one this afternoon. Seems like it may actually be a 1920's style piano? Would really like some help here. Should I post more images?

[indianajo]

Be patient. There is a guy in London, UK that has a piano blue book. He may be very busy,  This is busy season for piano mechanics and performers, with Christmas coming up and most choirs and ensembles deep into rehearsal.  
How does your piano sound?  Play some notes in different octaves, then compare to piano recordings, and maybe the demonstrators in showrooms.  Don't worry about out of tune at this point, that can be adjusted.  My favorite recording for sound is an RCA dynagroove recording, Peter Nero playing a studio Steinway, Young  & Warm & Wonderful.  marvelous sound.  Less than stellar material, but you can't have everything.  
And start asking around about teachers.  In the US the American Piano Guild is an organization of professional teachers etc. Ask at the ParentTeacherAssociation or somewhere: mothers have an opinion which teachers are nice and which teachers are martinets.  That is how my Mother found my teacher, and it was a good choice. 
I'm sure a teacher would have an opinion about your piano. Adult learning is possible.   I'm 63 and am learning pieces I never would have been able to have time for when I was a busy student.  

[perfectlygrand]

If you haven't moved it don't.  Most of the time pianos older than 50-60 years have structural damage rendering pianos PSOs (otherwise known as piano shaped objects).  So get a piano tech to check it out first.  If you already moved the instrument then in the US find a registered technician from www.ptg.org

You'll probably have to set up a tuning appt with the understanding that you want the tech to go over the piano structurally and mechanically.  If it turns out that the amount of work is too much to make financial sense, then expect to pay a service charge.  The formula for this should be if the amount of work "X" needed to put the piano into good working order is greater than the value of the piano would bring in optimum shape in the current market "Y", then don't do it.  Obviously, in your case you have to factor in sentimental value.

Remember to hire an RPT (registered piano tech) and it would be a good idea to get a few recommendations from piano teachers as well.

Charles
www.perfectlygrand.com

[iansinclair]

If you haven't moved it don't.  Most of the time pianos older than 50-60 years have structural damage rendering pianos PSOs (otherwise known as piano shaped objects).  So get a piano tech to check it out first.  If you already moved the instrument then in the US find a registered technician from www.ptg.org

Umm... well, maybe.  If the piano has been poorly maintained, or stored somewhere with poor conditions, it is quite possibly true that there may be problems.  On the other hand, there may not be, particularly with pianos which were originally very well made (I have three; the youngest is a measly 89 years old, the other two are 109 and 115, respectively -- and it is the 115 year old that gets played every day).  On the other hand, the advice to have the piano checked by a reliable (if not registered) technician is always good advice, whether the piano is 115 days old or 115 years old!

[perfectlygrand]

Well Ian~

Then I would say it's obvious you live in an area that doesn't experience drastic shifts in humidity.  In the NE of the US - say Massachusetts - relative humidity levels in the middle of the winter go down to 19% and in the summer go up 100%.  Small grands carry at least 36,000 lbs of string tension and quite frankly, in this region after 50 years you can hardly find an instrument whose pinblock is not loose, or that doesn't have cracks in the bridges or soundboards.  Pianos here just can't handle those shifts in humidity - it rips them apart - it doesn't matter what brand or how "well" they were taken care of.

However, I do remember pianos coming in for rebuilding that had lived almost their entire lives in the SW - like Arizona - those instruments were an entirely different story.  No humidity shifts to speak of, no cracks in the bridges, soundboard, etc - nothing.  It was eye-opening. 

[silverwoodpianos]

Rudolph Ibach Sohn est 1794 Schwelm, Germany.

Ibach 14515=1886

It is not necessary to find a technician who belongs to any particular group or guild association. What you are looking for is a long time tech that does rebuilding or restorative work on period pieces such as this one. Of course one with a good reputation…..

What you ask to be completed is an appraisal of the instrument’s present mechanical and structural condition and then your local market value.

 If the piano is already in your home then you might consider tuning it at the same time.

From what I can see in the second photo the sounding board crown appears to have flattened out revealed by the crack running parallel to the grain lines through part of the decal and serial number.

That of course is normal deterioration for an instrument of this age.

Also normal for an instrument of this age, if in original condition, all of the moving components will be worn out and require replacements.

 Instruments of this type do not command a high financial value; they have other types of value such as sentimental, playability or tone quality.

Depending upon the length of this piece will determine the final cost of restoration if that is the chosen route.

[iansinclair]

Well Ian~

Then I would say it's obvious you live in an area that doesn't experience drastic shifts in humidity.  In the NE of the US - say Massachusetts - relative humidity levels in the middle of the winter go down to 19% and in the summer go up 100%.  Small grands carry at least 36,000 lbs of string tension and quite frankly, in this region after 50 years you can hardly find an instrument whose pinblock is not loose, or that doesn't have cracks in the bridges or soundboards.  Pianos here just can't handle those shifts in humidity - it rips them apart - it doesn't matter what brand or how "well" they were taken care of.

However, I do remember pianos coming in for rebuilding that had lived almost their entire lives in the SW - like Arizona - those instruments were an entirely different story.  No humidity shifts to speak of, no cracks in the bridges, soundboard, etc - nothing.  It was eye-opening. 

For what it is worth, I live in -- and the pianos have spent their entire lives in -- northwestern Connecticut.  The 1898 and 1905 pianos were in a building which was, for the first century or so of their lives, unheated (the 1905 still is).  The 1924 was in buildings which were heated up until about a decade ago (it is in an unheated building now) but which had no humidity control

As I noted in a different thread, the only problems with any of them is some veneer problems on the 1898, and a patch of damaged finish on the lid of the 1924 (dang mice).

Of course, they are Steinways...

I agree completely with silverwoodpianos comments, however.

[perfectlygrand]

Ian~
Take note "That of course is normal deterioration for an instrument of this age."
Are you not agreeing with me?
Charles

[timothy42b]

I was told that the person who bought our church's grand piano put $10,000 into mechanical repair work.  It had not been abused, that was just the backlog of deferred maintenance from normal wear and tear.