Monochord (Made in occupied Japan)

[Jim]

Dear David:

Quite a few pianos were made like this after the war.  They improved
it a little and used 2 strings thoughout the treble later.  Yamaha made
pianos like this early on. So did Kawai and Atlas.  Does it have
wooden action brackets and thin hammers and dampers?  Does it have a
music delk which folds down it fron from behind the top front panel?  I
used to sell pianos like this in the 60's for 395.00.
Present market value would be around 150 - 200.00.

The scale wan't too bad.  They didn't put out a big sound.  I presently
service 2 of the later models in an SDA church. Watch for loose tuning
pins.

Jim Coleman, Sr.


On Fri, 10 Jan 1997, Vanderhoofven wrote:

> Dear Friends,
>
> Recently I was asked by a local music store to findo out more information,
> including the age and approximate value of an unusual piano.
>
> The piano is a small 64 note piano.
> The Nameboard says------------------->  Established 1910
>                                     "At sign of Big Red Piano"
>                                            Monochord
>                                           Los Angeles
>
> The serial number is #13879, which according to the Pierce Piano Atlas would
> list the manufacturing date of 1950.  Inside the piano in two different
> places it is stamped "Made in occupied Japan".  The piano is about 42" tall,
> and the case is light brown, in surprisingly good shape.  The strings and
> tuning pins have light to medium rust buildup.  The soundboard and bridges
> look good, but the action needs regulated and reconditioned. (Needs hammers
> shaped, keybed felts, bridle straps, and let-off cloth punchings replaced).
>
> The piano has 64 notes:  24 single wrapped bass strings (1 per unison)
>                          20 treble strings  (1 per unison)
>                          20 treble strings  (2 per unison)
>
> Can anyone shed more light on this piano and it's history?  Also, what would
> be an approximate market value in an as-is condition?
>
> Thanks muchly!
>
> David Vanderhoofven
>
> David A. Vanderhoofven
> Joplin, Missouri, USA
> Associate Member, Piano Technicians Guild
> e-mail:  dkvander@clandjop.com
> web page:  http://www.clandjop.com/~dkvander/
> #pianotech page:  http://www.clandjop.com/~dkvander/ircpiano.html
>
>