JULIUS PFAFFE Upright. No 6833 Manufactured in Germany circa 1890 by one of the many lesser known quality Berlin makers, this majestic looking upright having been completely rebuilt in its 90th year ( 40 yrs ago) and subsequently little played is therefore in excellent playing order. The powerful rich bass tones one would expect from a 135cm German over- strung being perfectly balanced by a bright and clear treble. The action is very positive and well regulated through out it's 85 keys. The pitch though , having lain idle for a number of years, has dropped sufficiently to require a double tuning session in order to return it to A 440 Hz. Dimensions are H: 135cms W: 147cms D: 66cms.
PRICE: £500
LOCATION: Penarth Vale of Glamorgan
CONTACT: 07376 074367
.BARGAIN BASEMENT
WELMAR Upright. A rare chance to pick up a top quality British over-strung for a give away price. This 88 note model was manufactured just prior to WW II, has a perfect set of ivory keys, an original Schwander action and a French polished (albeit now rather tatty) Mahogany cabinet measuring:- H: 117cms W: 144cms D: 59cms. Structurally bridges , pins, soundboard and strings are all fine and combine to produce the uniquely rich yet mellow "Welmar sound". Unfortunately, having lain idle and untuned for many years a good number of the felt cushions now need replacing. (£150 approx. should cover this and a much needed tuning).
PRICE: £150
LOCATION: Radyr. Cardiff
CONTACT: 02920 844838
SPENCER Upright No: 92954. This over-strung under-damper manufactured around 1940 would have been one of the last to come out of this excellent London maker's factory. It is testimony to the quality of construction, nothing having been replaced, that it still plays as well as it does. That said it has, as a family instrument, been much used and so allowances should be made both for the considerable wear and tear to the action and, having lain un-tuned for many years, it sounding horrendously out of tune and a semi-tone flat. Structurally all is well; and the cabinet H: 110cms W: 133cms D: 55cms and 85 key-tops in acceptable condition. Would require approx. £150 expenditure to restore pitch, regulate and tune to A.440.
PRICE: £100
LOCATION: Miskin. Pontyclun
CONTACT: 01443 520526
£0 - £300
BLUTHNER Upright No: 59969 . This over-strung , manufactured in 1902 has an over damper action , which, because its a Bluthner and its had new damper felts actually performs as well as (if not better than) an English under damper of this period! The original strings & pins are still good and combine with the recently overhauled action to produce a rich tone with a responsive even touch. Currently @ A.430 Hz it will require a double tuning to restore the pitch and because the cabinet - H:130cms W:154cms D:69cms is by no means immaculate this quality instrument is offered at the reduced - - - - - - - -
PRICE: £250 (reduced)
LOCATION: Pontcanna Cardiff.
CONTACT: 07946 492818
CHALLEN 4ft 6" Baby Grand. Serial No: 44740. Manufactured in their London factory in 1930 this superb looking classic, finished in a satin mahogany boasts a Schwander/Brooks roller action and an 88 note keyboard . Mechanically all is in reasonably good condition for its age, the action & keys having been overhauled when the cabinet was re-polished back in the early eighties . Having been both well used and regularly maintained since then up until 2017, the piano has subsequently become little used and so , whilst still playing acceptably well could now benefit from tuning and a little TLC.
PRICE: £300
LOCATION: Penarth Vale of Glamorgan
CONTACT: 07775 551362
£300- £600
CRANES Upright. This 7 octave over-strung is actually a Bentley and would have been manufactured in their factory c. 1967/8. Mechanically the "Richards" action is in excellent condition and the original strings have lost none of their tone. The high gloss fiddle-back mahogany casework is also extremely well preserved - the compact cabinet measuring H: 100cms W: 139cms D: 54cms. Structurally , bridges and soundboard are in A1 condition but buyers should be prepared to spend a little extra on tuning since some of the pins have loosened and will require "tightening" before a stable tuning can be achieved. The seller has allowed for this with a reduced asking price.
PRICE: £550
LOCATION: Canton Cardiff
CONTACT: 07764 522644
HOPKINSON Upright. A compact 85 note model manufactured in the late 30's by this under-rated British maker and extensively re-felted and overhauled (by myself) over 20 years ago. It is therefore in excellent mechanical condition (having been little played since). Structurally all is good and as it should be - the consistently light touch producing a surprisingly "big" sound. The case-work however is beginning to show its age but is still largely quite presentable and measures; H: 118cms W: 148cms D: 60cms. Tuned very recently a 1/2tone below Concert ( so a double tuning will be needed if A.440 is required)
PRICE: £350
LOCATION: St Andrews Major, Vale of Glamorgan.
CONTACT: 07816 914333
£600 - £1200
CRANES Upright. SU-105. This over-strung , under-damper , HHE 00046 was manufactured by Samick of Korea in 1988 and bought new by the present owner from the Cardiff dealership. Regularly tuned up until 2020 every thing about this 88 note instrument is in excellent condition. The satin finished plum mahogany cabinet measures H: 105cms W: 148cms D: 52cms. Little used but much loved by the seller, who, faced with downsizing is more concerned with finding it a good home than she is with "getting her money back".
PRICE: £800
LOCATION: Llanbradach. Caerphilly
CONTACT: 07879 658010
£1200 - £2500
KNIGHT K10 Upright No: 64505 . An immaculate example of this highly sought after British classic. Manufactured in 1982 and bought new by the present owner from Gamlins in 1984 . The light mahogany casework while still in showroom condition has already acquired a rich patina ,adding warmth to the satin finish. Having been little used yet regularly tuned the action and keys show absolutely no signs of wear and tear whatsoever and combine, still perfectly regulated, to give the player full access to the unlimited tonal possibilities that make up the "Knight" sound. Recently tuned to A 440Hz , the seller now sadly no longer physically able to play, is keen to pass this instrument on for a younger generation to enjoy . Dimensions are H: 112cms W: 143cms D: 55cms.
PRICE: £1500
LOCATION: Sully Vale of Glamorgan.
CONTACT: 02920 530400
BLUTHNER Upright: 117140 Manufactured in Leipzig during 1933 at what is now considered the heyday of European piano construction, this 7 octave straight strung , under damper was re-polished and given a complete mechanical rebuild by Geoffrey Winter immediately prior to being purchased by the current owner in the mid 80's. The quality of this instrument is highlighted both by it's rich singing tone (far superior to that of most British over strungs) seamlessly graded throughout the compass and by the evenness, ease and sensitivity of it's touch. Recently tuned to to A 440Hz I can confirm and advise that a) the original tuning pins are satisfactorily tight in it's current location but would advise some precautionary measures if moved to a less humid centrally heated environment and b) while the original strings have lost none of their tone , a couple of the bass bi-chords have recently been replaced. The still highly presentable cabinet is finished in a satin medium "fiddleback" mahogany and measures v. approx: H: 115cms W: 146cms D: 63cms.
PRICE: £1500
