Knauss Upright Piano - Coblenz... Could I "make it mine"?

I believe it is the same brand. But regardless, that's not where the problem lies. There are unknown brand pianos that sound good and vice versa. It seems to me that you haven't promoted this one?!

This is true... In any case, it's not that I didn't promote it; on the contrary, as far as the low tones are concerned, I liked these more, even if out of tune, compared to those on a perfect Yamaha! The sound isn't bad, though from the tuning, the action, and a wobbly pedal, one would say it has been used a lot. In any case, I believe that the hammer felt (re-examining it the other day) is recoverable... not being an expert, mine is just an impression, but the felt covering the hammers seems to be in good condition... sure, some have flattened a bit, but if necessary, one could find a good technician (ugh... why isn't Paolo from Turin?! 😆) and have the hammers voiced... As for the action, although not regulated and too smooth, it seems silent to me, it doesn't make strange noises, and along its depth of travel, the key does not have any "steps."

I probably wasn't very clear, but I will post the photos as soon as possible.

Thank you! Bye!

I also found another interesting piano... it's a Steinbach... but I don't know the model. I couldn't try it out, but as soon as I can, I will.

In the meantime, what can you tell me about this brand?

I seem to remember that it is a piano with an Italian "flavor." Perhaps assembled in Italy.

Hello everyone!

This morning I tried the Knauss - Coblenz upright again that I had told you about... Considering its condition, I must admit that I really like the sound. And since I might perhaps "keep it for myself," I have started to take a slightly closer look inside.

So, the strings are very dusty, but they don't seem to show signs of rust or being "worn out." Setting aside that it would need tuning (it is quite out of tune), they don't seem so bad to me. I emphasize once again that I really like the sound; the bass tones are robust but not "metallic," in short, they are "mellow." Furthermore, the piano is quite tall, and as Paolo taught us, this means longer strings and a larger soundboard.

The soundboard, indeed, seems to be in good condition; it shows no cracks of any kind, nor any separations. The bridge seems very steady to me, it doesn't make strange vibrations, and this makes me think that it is still well-secured.

The frame... is the only thing I don't know how to judge. I mean, what should I check to consider it "sound"? It also seemed to be in good condition to me, but I wouldn't know for sure.

I will post some photos as soon as possible.

Thanks in advance. Bye! 🙂

Well! You can tell if the frame is sound. Inspect it and check every part of it. Make sure it holds the tuning (it's cross-strung, right?). Use a tuning fork to check how far below 440 it is and if there are large tuning "drops" in certain areas of the keyboard. Then the sound test. A strong chord and listen to how long it lasts. If the attack is good (depending on the condition of the six hammers) and the sound doesn't decay immediately, if it has a good and sonorous sustain, then I would consider it. Send me some photos and also an MP3, if you want. Photos with details of the hammers and the action. Look under the keys; I think the Kazimir felts will need to be done. One could consider replacing the entire action with a new one... we need to see the measurements. The dampers? How are they? Photos.

Keep me informed

Hello young pianist

Hi!

I tried the piano in question once again...

Good news: the frame seems sound to me, it shows no cracks or anything similar. The soundboard, as I told you, is in good condition; apart from the dust, I don't see anything abnormal. 🙂

I am also presenting a very short, brand new video, practically just made.

I made it with the help of my sister Sara... so this time I had two free hands to play some chords. Aside from the tuning issues and probably the felt felts needing replacement, the sound has good sustain, exceeding twenty seconds by quite a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/user/FranckDiParigi?feature=mhee#p/u/0/aDiH7Bh3NMI

The sound seems well sustained, but you know that many other things would need to be evaluated.

Eh I know... Anyway, one of these days I'll go take a "full" look at it, maybe I'll make a video and post it here. Anyway it's true, the sound is well-sustained, I think it depends on the fact that the piano is tall...

Thank you very much. I will keep you updated. Bye!

FrancescoDiParigi

Hello everyone!

I bring you good news regarding the Knauss Coblenz in question...

Here you can see some photos:

@http://twitter.com/#!/FrankDiParigi/media/slideshow?url=pic.twitter.com%2FXMWrlW6Z

Hello everyone!

I bring you good news regarding the Knauss Coblenz in question...

On my Twitter page (from http://twitter.com/#....com%2FXMWrlW6Z) you can see the photos.

I am seriously starting to think about considering it... I really like the sound, the soundboard is in very good condition, the action does not seem to be damaged (it certainly needs regulation), the frame is intact, the strings are healthy... Oh, and ivory keyboard, well preserved!!

I will keep you updated. 🙂

See you soon. Bye!

Looking at it, it seems to be in good condition. I cannot say anything else. You surely have been able to evaluate its sound and functional performance.

Hello everyone.

As you know, I am starting to think about considering this piano and "making it mine." In a certain sense, no one plays it there anymore and "taking it" would also mean "bringing it out" into the light again for me. 🙂

Some things I hadn't noticed before:

- the piano does not have 88 keys, but only 85. It's not that they are missing because there is no room... 🙂 but can you tell me why?

- It is tall; to be precise, it is almost 135 cm!

- The action is intact; I don't know much about it, but it seems well-made... The escapement lever is made of wood and not plastic; the leather that the escapement must "slide" on is well-preserved and shows no scratches or swellings; the escapement springs all work perfectly; all the felts - so far I have mostly checked those on the wippens (... That's what they are called, right?), those on the escapement buttons, and the large one on which the hammer shafts rest - are healthy, not too stiff and dry but not too soft;

- the key bushings are all in normal condition, and despite everything, they show no wood swelling or strange friction. Of course, some keys seem to be a little lighter and some others a little heavier, but from what I have observed, it seems to me that the action just needs regulating.

- I also checked the strings; they are all dusty but show no signs of rust or anything.

- The only doubt I have left concerns the hammers: they are a little worn... It's hard to explain like that, I will take more detailed photos.

Bye!

The 85 notes mark a period. Beginning around 900, perhaps until the '40s. Some instruments were made with 85 notes. I am not discussing the integrity of the mechanics, but regarding mainly the hammers, their felt becomes stiffer over the years, becoming dry and less elastic. Perhaps their replacement should be taken into consideration. I would like to know the type of wood used for the hammer heads, the length of a bass hammer, and the length of a mid and treble hammer. Then, the measurement in the center of the hole where the rod is glued (measurement differs between bass and treble). Then I will tell you (also send me photos of the hammer nut tips and show me the keybed slots. Bye)

Ok Paolo, I will take care of it. 🙂

How do I see the slots under the keyboard? I mean, where should I look? Sorry for my inexperience and thank you for the precious help you are giving me. 🙂

See you soon. Bye!

FrancescoDiParigi

The mortise of the central button is also important, check if it is slow around its round pivot.

Thank you so much Paolo. 🙂

So, as soon as I go to "look inside its action" again, I will look under one of its keys at the felts and their condition. I will certainly take some photos, maybe even a video.

A short while ago you told me to consider the possibility of replacing the hammer rail... More or less, how much would it cost? I know it depends a lot on the type, but roughly, considering the type of piano, how much should I start to "set aside" if the intervention becomes necessary? Then maybe when you see better photos of the hammers you'll tell me they are fine... and what about voicing them?

In the meantime, I checked the "systems" of the TWO pedals. The resonance works correctly, the dampers all rise together correctly, and the pedal has no "play," I mean, it has no "useless" movements: when pressed, the dampers rise at the same moment. Only one key, it seems to be the E of the second octave, continues to sound even with the key at rest. I believe it depends on a poorly adjusted damper, because it works anyway, there are no problems, it rises.

I also checked the condition of the keyboard ivory. It is a bit yellowed, certainly, but it shows no "grooves" and is not worn down.

Returning to the pedals... the dampers rise, but... excuse my ignorance, I noticed that the other pedal brings the hammers closer to the strings. How is this supposed to affect the sound? In any case, it seems easier for me to play "piano"... and the pedal works.

Thank you in advance for all your patience and for the precious advice... 🙂

See you soon. Bye!

What you are saying is all fine. They are small things that go away, by paying a little bit of attention.

Ok... I will take detailed photos of the mechanism as soon as possible.

Thanks again, I will keep you updated. Bye!