Continually old instruments show at antiques dealers or inheritances. This old grand piano often work with a Viennese−style action. The pictures above show how you can detect a Viennese-action.

1. Baldwin Piano Serial Numbers

The arrows show you the damping and the fulcrum of the hammer handles which mark this difference. You can see a picture of the cross−section of a Viennese−style action under the menu item. Why should you refrain from instruments with a Viennese−style action? The last instruments constructed like this were built in Austria around 1920. That means, instruments containing a Viennese−style action are older than 90 years by now. Such musical instruments are not suitable for a serious piano education. For this reason these grand pianos should not be used for beginners an piano students.

In most instances service or rapair works do not make any sense with those grand pianos. Exceptions are a spezial age (historical value) or antiquarianism (spezial inheritances). In this cases the focus does not lie on the current value but on a sentimental value.

Tonal as well as in terms of technical requirements (repetition, precision of the regulation) these instruments do not meet present standards. The tuning pitch is often one half− or whole−tone too low. Concerning pianos the term 'second−hand' can mean many things.

It can stand for relatively young instruments as well as for 100 years old instruments. Because of wonderful veneer works or beautiful carvings, technical and age-related deficites are overlooked. Today the decision of investing in further service and repair works or buying a new piano is not easy. In this cases the owner has to take technical requirements for example the condition of the mechanics (wear and tear), the keys (key bushings and tey top), the pin−block (strength of the tuning−pins) and the sound−board into account.

Baldwin Piano Serial Numbers

To evaluate the technical condition of an instrument you should always consult a specialist. Very often defects are not visible fort he layman. For the instrument shown on the pictures above repair economically does not make sense any more (keys and mechanics are worn out, the pin−block has got hidden cracks, the soundboard is bursted several times).

I was recently given a very old upright piano someone needed to get rid of since they were renovating their home and it was in the way. It has been very lovingly taken care of over the years before it reached me and it is in beautiful shape and sounds fantastic. It also seems to be holding it's tune quite well. I've never in my life seen such an ornate piano it really is beautiful. Inside I found a serial number of 8778 in multiple spots.

I thought it was kind of short considering the length of most of the serial numbers I've read in the answers but it was all I could find repeated several times. The name and logo of a Dominion Organ and Piano Co. And a 1893 patent. Also the piano has been signed internally with the name of Fred Lewis the dates between 1904-1919.

Other tuners have signed it but this is the earlierst date. I'm assuming that everytime he tuned this beauty he dated it.

I know that this piano existed in 1904 because of the signature but I have no idea what year it was built. Any information would be greatly welcomed. I'm not really worried about a resale value as this instrument now belongs to my son who has been taking piano lessons. It's a joy to listen to him play. I would be interested in a possible rough insurance value, information about the company, when the piano was manufactured and the best possible way to keep this cabinet looking as beautiful as it does. There is no wax build-up on the wood and I have been told that lemon oil was used on it twice a year to keep it clean and shining. Also perhaps a point in the right direction for finding this long ago piano tuner/repairman Mr Fred Lewis.

Sorry if I am asking too much it's just that this instrument will probably be in the family for a long time to come and information about it and how to care for it would be fantastic. Thanks in advance. Teri Posts: 65 Joined: Thu Feb 20, 2014 1:14 am. Hi Dominion: The Dominion Piano and Organ Company was established in 1870 as Oshawa Organ and Melodian Manufacturing Company by A.

M Darley and William Robinson. It was first located in Oshawa, Canada. In 1873 they moved to Bowmansville, Ontario and joined L. O'Hara to the company. The company filed for Bankruptcy in 1936. Your piano was manufactured around 1897. With regard to the finish.that depends on what is on there.

If it's varnish(you can tell by the cracking and checking) then NO oil product should be used. It would just sit on top of the finish. Back then, it could have been a shellac finish, or possibly and oil rubbed finish. An oil rubbed finish would show up a porous and it would be perfectly acceptable to continue using an oil product, like tung oil. As far as the tuner/technician goes.that's a tough one. The only tuners I know of can be found here: Good luck, Ralph Posts: 50 Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:54 am. I was recently given a very old upright piano someone needed to get rid of since they were renovating their home and it was in the way.

It has been very lovingly taken care of over the years before it reached me and it is in beautiful shape and sounds fantastic. It also seems to be holding it's tune quite well. I've never in my life seen such an ornate piano it really is beautiful. Inside I found a serial number of 8778 in multiple spots. I thought it was kind of short considering the length of most of the serial numbers I've read in the answers but it was all I could find repeated several times. The name and logo of a Dominion Organ and Piano Co. And a 1893 patent.

Also the piano has been signed internally with the name of Fred Lewis the dates between 1904-1919. Other tuners have signed it but this is the earlierst date. I'm assuming that everytime he tuned this beauty he dated it. I know that this piano existed in 1904 because of the signature but I have no idea what year it was built.

Any information would be greatly welcomed. I'm not really worried about a resale value as this instrument now belongs to my son who has been taking piano lessons. It's a joy to listen to him play. I would be interested in a possible rough insurance value, information about the company, when the piano was manufactured and the best possible way to keep this cabinet looking as beautiful as it does. There is no wax build-up on the wood and I have been told that lemon oil was used on it twice a year to keep it clean and shining.

Also perhaps a point in the right direction for finding this long ago piano tuner/repairman Mr Fred Lewis. Sorry if I am asking too much it's just that this instrument will probably be in the family for a long time to come and information about it and how to care for it would be fantastic. Thanks in advance. Teri Posts: 64 Joined: Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:29 pm.