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My "new" (1926) Bluthner arrives this week. I've already made room for it by moving my old upright into the family room. That leads me to my question. The upright is an 1880's B. Shoninger upright. It's a beautiful piano. However, it cannot hold A440 and according to the Rappaports never will.

So here's my question: Is there anything I can do to keep it as a musical instrument? For example--please forgive me if this is sacrilegious--can I replace the acoustic components and essentially convert it into a digital piano? I really would love to figure something out that makes sense.

Here are some pics.




Thanks.

How elegant! Such GORGEOUS veneer!

There have been references here (might be in the archives) about making it into a desk, a bar, or nicknack holder!

There is even a piano company that can use the frame for a new piano but that would be rather expensive. (I think it was Steingraeber that does this.)

Have you asked about it being redone/refurbished?

LL

Thanks LL.
The case is made from what I think is called "tiger-striped" walnut. You can probably see why I want to figure out a way to save it.

I've had Priscilla Rappaport take a look at it and she basically said it will never be able to stay in tune.

Is the plate cracked or something like that?
Not that it is worth rebuilding money wise it can be done. We put new soundboards and pinblocks in old uprights if it is wanted to be kept in the family.
Once again you spend way way more on the piano that it would be worth. But to some it is worth it.

That a great looking cabinet and it would be a shame just to junk it. Looks like it has a standard action.

[img]http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v98/171/94/682781582/n682781582_151840[/img]

"Never hold A-440..."

Nonsense. Never say never...

As Rod says, it can be rebuilt. As long as the plate isn't cracked at least. The pinblock can, at ultimate need, be replaced - although there are several options available to rejuvenate same if it isn't too far gone (read: majorly cracked). A squirt of "ca glue" (Superglue) beside each pin is well known to "permanently" fix a lot of pinblocks. Repinning the block with larger pins is another option; drilling out, replugging, and repinning with standard pins is yet another.

All assuming the pinblock isn't too far gone - otherwise it can be replaced - but be prepared to spend some money!

All this said, what's the condition of the action? That too can be rebuilt, but its expensive. I know of someone who had their old upright completely rebuilt/restored - cost 'em about $12K. Considering the prices of new pianos these days, that's not "TOO bad" - as long as you think of it in terms of uniqueness not available at any price as opposed to "what can I sell it for?".

Another approach would be to do some of the work yourself {*ducks*} as I have done - this is NOT for the faint at heart, and be prepared to make a lot of dumb mistakes! If this appeals, do your research - and its best to have a sympathetic tech to guide you and do some of the harder stuff.

It think it would do well in a church or chapel for playing hymns.

I agree it would be a crying shame to junk it.

Regarding the plate, I think that's the problem. It doesn't have a metal plate. It's wood. I think that's why Priscilla said it would never hold a tune.

I'd like to hear more about the option of frankensteining a digital into it. Has this ever been done?

I read all the time about people putting modern TV's into old TV cabinets. And putting radios or even mp3 players in old tube radio cases. Why can't we do the same thing here?

No plate, you say? Was it meant to be tuned to A440? Perhaps a lower pitch might be within it's 'holding range'?

Definately a beutiful piece of history. It'd be a shame to 're-egineer' it and lose the historical documentation. There was a great article in the last PTG Journal about how such instruments can be treated--from "do nothing" to "conservation" to "rebuilding". All have their place, but certainly result in different outcomes. (PTG has a museum, if you can't come to some other 'ideal' disposition...)

Isn't *THAT* interesting! Any chance of some pictures if the insides?

What a unique and gorgeous old piano. fwiw, here's what I would do: Keep it in your family room as furniture. Then take $2K or so and buy yourself a decent digital if you want something else to play besides your Bluthner. That would probably be the cheapest and easiest solution all around.

But what is the point of having an old (albeit beautiful) piano as furniture - *UNLESS* you convert it to a BAR!


Mike

I've got a little Yamaha digital (that's a great little device with MIDI and all that). That's what my kids and I have been practicing on--insofar as I didn't want the kids to develop a bad sense of pitch on the upright.

I'm almost certainly going to keep it, but I just can't bring myself to turn it into a bar.

Stand by. I've just taken some and will upload in a bit.

How about adding a Moog pianobar?

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Moog-PB-001-PianoBar-709312-i1155213.gc

Not sure how best to silence the action. You would really want to feel the action.

Rich

I like that piano .. I can see why you don't wanna give it up, I mean who would?

Vale Pianos, a company near Evesham in the UK do Digital Conversions, maybe available in the USA.

http://www.valepianos.co.uk/

Go to Digital Conversions on the left hand list.

Gorgeous.

I've got a beautiful non-playable piano too that isn't worth restoring. It's taking up a lot of room in my house. I can't bring myself to make it into a desk or digital.

So it sits by the playable upright piano, holding photos.

If I ever have the money to upgrade to a grand, I will need the space. I sometimes think about donating it to a house museum.

Thanks for sharing the pictures. It's stunning.

It would be a travesty to gut your piano to create a bar, desk, digital, or anything else. There are museums that are interested in unique old pianos in original condition. Let's have a look inside. If tuning is the issue, CA glue may very well be the solution that gives your piano a new lease on live while preserving it's integrity (and any present or future antique value).