Piano

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hunter-27

hunter-27

Passed Away Aug 14, 2013
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Chadron, Ne, USA.
Got a piano given to me today. It is not going to be fixed but rather dismantled so I can use the wood. Not really sure what it is yet. All I know is it is HEAVY. It has a tag inside it with the company name and date of: Marshall & Wendell Albany New York 1853. Not sure of the actual date of manufacture but it is old. It came from a church that got a new one. My question is has anyone actually ever taken a piano apart. Not sure it is worth the trouble or not but I'm gonna give it a go if I can figure it out.
 
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I have never taken apart a piano but I do know that you need to be verrryyy careful because each string is tightened to 300 pounds of pressure.
 
OKLAHOMAN said:
White Keys could possibly be Ivory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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They were Ivory but someone beat me to those, all they left were the black ones. :mad:
animefan said:
I have never taken apart a piano but I do know that you need to be verrryyy careful because each string is tightened to 300 pounds of pressure.
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Good to know, I wont just go a cutting on them.:)
 
ACK! Don't destroy it so quickly. Marshall and Wendell was a big name in pianos through the middle of the 20th century. Although the label must say 1953 (their last year of production) because the name Marshall and Wendell was not adopted until 1870.
 
DCBluesman said:
ACK! Don't destroy it so quickly. Marshall and Wendell was a big name in pianos through the middle of the 20th century. Although the label must say 1953 (their last year of production) because the name Marshall and Wendell was not adopted until 1870.
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I will take your word for it but I looked again, it clearly says Estab. 1853 Albany * New York. I found a the serial # of 40326 on it if you have access to piano knowledge it might help.
 
Hope this helps

Marshall & Wendell

One of America's older and more illustrious firms, Marshall & Wendell enjoyed a long and prosperous history. The firm originally began as Marshall & Traver in 1836 and their factories were in Albany, New York. The name was changed to Marshall, James & Traver in 1855 when Mr. A.C. James was admitted to the partnership. "Marshall & Traver" and "Marshall, James & Traver" specialized in building higher end square grand pianos, and these instruments are quite rare today. Sometime around 1870 James & Traver withdrew from the firm. Mr. Wendell was admitted into partnership, and the name of the firm was changed to Marshall & Wendell.

During the late 19th Century, Marshall & Wendell built several lines of square, grand, and upright pianos, all of superior quality. The firm also built a line of square grand pianos under the "Parlor Gem" brand name as well as a line of upright pianos under the "Little Gem" and "Boudoir Gem" brand names during the late 19th Century era. In 1900 the firm moved headquarters from Albany to Rochester, New York. After the turn-of-the-century, Marshall & Wendell instruments continued to be considered top quality and extremely durable. The firm was absorbed into the Aeolian-American Corporation in the Great Depression era, and Marshall & Wendell pianos continued to be manufactured until the mid 1950s.
 
And I just wanted to know how to take it apart. :biggrin: Look at what we have learned just by accident. :wink:

Thanks guys.

Landon
 
Landon -

As a kid, I worked in my great uncle's piano store. It's amazing how much some of these old cabinets are worth. Of course, taking it apart is no real loss to you. I just thought you might want to make some inquiries first.
 
Where I live most likely makes it not cost effective to do much with it. It has had the Ivory(so the church lady said) keys removed, and I'm sure it has more than its fair share of scapes and scratches. I don't even know what it is made of yet. MIght be a strain on my back for nothing. Seriously, thanks for the info. I never really thought it might have much value or they would not have given it to me.
 
Landon...think about the marketing side of his piano project. You have a piece of wood with historical importance. Consider selling a group of pens back to the congregation at a reduced cost that they can sell as a fund raiser to their members. take a picture of the piano and especially the name plate. this will add interest and credibility to the sale of your 'Church Piano" pens. With your background in retail management you should be able to come up with some more ideas. Regards Darrell Eisner
 
scotian12 said:
Landon...think about the marketing side of his piano project. You have a piece of wood with historical importance. Consider selling a group of pens back to the congregation at a reduced cost that they can sell as a fund raiser to their members. take a picture of the piano and especially the name plate. this will add interest and credibility to the sale of your 'Church Piano" pens. With your background in retail management you should be able to come up with some more ideas. Regards Darrell Eisner
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Now, that is a great idea. After all the search info uncovered, I started thinking along those lines earlier in the thread. Thanks for cinfirming the idea might be a good one.
 
You could do this
feedback_image.lasso
 
Check out a site of a friend of mine. www.pianodesk.com. He makes computer desks from old pianos similar to the one posted. Click on desk examples on the left sidebar. He does nice work. Might give you an idea or two.
 
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