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Hello!

I got this Schiedmayer grand piano some time ago and for some reason there are pieces of transparent tape on
a lot of screws on the case. I now removed the tape for the most part, but in the first image it is still visible. I wonder why the previous owner did this (I can't trace the previous owner so can't ask). Some of the screws are missing. Could it be that the screws unscrew themselves due to vibrations? Is this a know phenomenon? What would be the remedy to prevent this (if it is at all the problem).

I wanna fix up the piano a bit. Managed to do some regulation and tuning with 'Entropy piano tuner'. The fullness of the sound just blows me away. I wouldn't want it to vibrate apart though...

thnx

(PS in order to post the images I also started a thread in the 'gallery'. Dont know if this is the proper way to post images)

Hi, Rob. I’m sorry you have been having some problems.

Vibrations DO turn screws but not fast. On my grand, the body barely vibrates but that looks like a older piano so I’m not sure if they had a problem with that.

I don’t think tape would be needed for anything.

Something may have happened with humidity that caused the wood to expand and the vibrations made the screw go out faster? If vibration is the case. Not sure.

One thing, new pianos may have locking screws (nylox)

You can try to replace the missing screws. Maybe use a caliper in the hole, let’s say it’s 4.60mm, go buy some m5 and m4 screws and try it. Looks like flat head.

I’m new so not sure.

Make sure to buy the right screws.

Kind of screw, machine screw? NO! Wood screw? MAYBE..

Thread diameter? Buy different sizes to make sure. I go to Lowe’s and if it doesn’t work I can return it.

Thread pitch? You would need a spare one of those screws. Most screws now are mostly standard in some number I think.

Head style? Most likely Flat head.

Maybe I can unscrew one of the remaining screws, see what size it is. (And put back the pieces of tape for now, prevent the piano from falling apart )

The mystery is deepening: I just checked to see what the screw is actually
supporting, but there seems to be nothing there on the inside.
Could it be just a decorative screw?.....

It looks like there are 4 screws equal distance from each other and they are all above the leg of the piano. I wonder if they somehow are related or if their spacing is just aesthetic but for a different purpose ie. the bottom two are related to the legs and the top two are meant to secure the piano action. Pure speculation on my part. What is on the opposite side of the piano ?

Sounds like you have posted the pictures the right way.

I never met a Schiedmayer I didn't like.

@nrighton

hello! I can't access the other side well. but well enough to see there are
screws there at similar positions. In fact, there are similar screws running
along the entire circumference of the piano:

I uploaded a couple of other images just for fun.

is Schiedmayer a quality brand? This particular one has the inscription
'Bekker Lefebre' which seems to have been a piano seller in the dutch
east indies. I wonder if the screws could have something to do with
making the piano suitable for the tropics. (probably not). In the dutch language
there still is a word for that: 'tropenpiano'

56309... 196_?

Apparently, they still make some pianos and are family owned.
Since 1735?

They make Celestas I guess.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schiedmayer

Made in Germany? Lol, handmade?

https://livingpianos.com/pianos/schiedmayer-grand-piano/
Restored one.

@probably blue

http://www.besbrodepianos.co.uk/pianoserialnumber/schiedmayer.htm

1920ties

that restored one looks just like mine, only in a different color. Hmm this sheds
some light on that sound that I was so amazed by

Google failed me ONCE again. Time to switch to DuckDuckGo. (lol)

I’m confident you can fix it up 👍

I wish I could help you clean, polish, do some woodwork.

Here it says 1926-1930
https://www.jvanmedevoort.nl/piano_serienummers_schiedmayer_jp.htm

Are you from the Netherlands? I often use this website for info on piano brands. There is also a list with all brands and the quality of the pianos.

Seems like a great website, too bad I can’t really use it lol.

Schiedmayer was top quality. Earl Hines liked recording on one in Chicago. Have in Dolge's Pianos and their Makers if you can get hold of a copy.

On the top of the page it says 'new, translate this website' but I get to see a map and nothing happens, it doesn't work on my phone somehow. Maybe it works on your phone or computer?

There were two Scheidmayer piano companies, J & P Scheidmayer originally, which became just Scheidmayer and has been owned by various other companies, and Scheidmayer & Söhne, which still exists as Scheidmayer Celesta. This one is the former, made about 1926. I think the screw holes are from something that was screwed to the piano at some time, possibly some molding.

Might it have been a bar piano with a bar fixed all round it for people to sit at, like a breakfast bar?
I have seen that done in clubs.
Just guessing...

Yes from de Nederlends ! Nice website, I like the 1990s style too ! I liked the 'piano graveyard' section in particular.