What Piano Is It? — Pianoconcerto Forum

marcosvn

Member

Posts: 5
City: cagliari

May 24, 2012, 11:44

Hello,

i just introduced myself and I am immediately asking for help from your expertise.

I apologize if this topic is not exactly in tune with the section, but I could not

find a more suitable one.

I'll get to the point. In my father's house, I have a piano that is completely identical to this one

which I studied on as a child:

http://jpegbay.com/g...001208-5.html#5

it is a W. Menzel and I don't understand if it is a Menzel sub-brand of Pietro Maza pianos,

or if it is a Wilhelm Menzel or something else entirely. I cannot find any information regarding

it. What I know for certain is that it is quite old, in the sense that it was purchased before my birth

by my father from an elderly lady who had brought it from Switzerland and had owned it for many years.

Ideas on its value? on the history of the manufacturer?? on its quality?

thanks in advance.

M.

http://jpegbay.com/g...001208-5.html#5

Pianoaccordatore

May 24, 2012, 17:42

I am being sincere Marco, I do not have any useful information about your piano.

We are waiting for the response from Pianoexpert who will be able to tell us something. . . .

BackSpace

Member

Posts: 181

May 24, 2012, 17:44

... isn't there a registration number?

pianoexpert

Moderator

Posts: 3,876
City: rocca di papa

May 24, 2012, 21:02

The only news: German house born in 1890 and ceased in 1935. It created 4100 instruments. I could not find out anything else

marcosvn

Member

Posts: 5
City: cagliari

May 25, 2012, 09:51

Thank you very much for the information, it is already much better than the nothing I had before. As soon as I can I will go get the serial number, which I imagine is, um......where???

Pianoaccordatore

May 25, 2012, 10:27

Hello,

in a grand piano, it can generally be found printed on the soundboard under the music desk; so you have to "peek" over the music desk where the pins that hold the strings are located and look for . . .

marcosvn

Member

Posts: 5
City: cagliari

May 28, 2012, 08:47

good morning,

i have searched everywhere, inch by inch, the only stamping I found is here (where I put the red dot):

and it is the following:

* AD???EXOW*

G.m.b.H. 600147

BERLIN

formatted just as I have tried to reproduce it here above. It is impossible to attach the photos because

the writing is barely perceptible to the eye. The characters replaced with "?" represent characters that have completely

disappeared and/or are absolutely impossible to decipher.

The only ones we are sure of, say 90%, are G.m.b.H. 600147 BERLIN; take the first line with a grain of salt.

bye and thanks

M.

Pianoaccordatore

May 29, 2012, 11:44

Hi Marco,

Generally, the serial number and the piano brand name are stamped on the cast-iron frame, aside from the music desk . . .

Aspirante

Member

Posts: 190
City: Isernia

May 29, 2012, 11:48

Curiosity, but what does that 4323 read in "low relief" indicate?

marcosvn

Member

Posts: 5
City: cagliari

May 29, 2012, 13:08

Aspirante wrote:
Curiosity, but what does that 4323 seen in "low relief" indicate?

I have no idea, the photo isn't mine, I took it from the internet to show where I had read those markings.

pianoexpert

Moderator

Posts: 3,876
City: rocca di papa

June 1, 2012, 23:58

The number, generally a serial number, i.e., how many instruments have been built by the House up to that point.