Baby Grand Paino

Grimspoon

Grimspoon

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So I have been gifted a KAPS baby grand piano by a relative. Super excited as I have always wanted a baby grand. It is the only instrument I have always wanted to play but never had a piano.

It is seriously old, dates back to the 1800's but is in fair shape. It needs work no doubt. The ivory on 2 keys is missing and the finish is scuffed in places and needs a good polish.

Needs a tune but overall sounds fantastic.

Anyone know about the Kaps brand? It is apparently made by Ernst Kaps.
 
Wow Grimspoon! That is awesome! I also play the piano, have Gr 6, and it is indeed an amazing instrument to play!

Ernst Kaps pianos were made in Dresden, Germany and were among the finest pianos ever made.

You can read more about him here:

http://translate.google.com/transla...&rls=org.mozilla:en-ZA:official&prmd=imvnsofd

For the restoration, I suggest you contact Kallie:

http://www.kallieswanepoel.co.za/restoration.htm

Please note that if you are going to get somebody to do this, its going to cost you a pretty penny, restoring a piano is a costly thing.

You can have a look at this website for a general idea of prices:

http://www.lawsonic.co.za/repairs.htm

Please keep us updated, and send pics when done :)

Good luck!
 
Nicci said:
Wow Grimspoon! That is awesome! I also play the piano, have Gr 6, and it is indeed an amazing instrument to play!

Ernst Kaps pianos were made in Dresden, Germany and were among the finest pianos ever made.

You can read more about him here:

http://translate.google.com/transla...&rls=org.mozilla:en-ZA:official&prmd=imvnsofd

For the restoration, I suggest you contact Kallie:

http://www.kallieswanepoel.co.za/restoration.htm

Please note that if you are going to get somebody to do this, its going to cost you a pretty penny, restoring a piano is a costly thing.

You can have a look at this website for a general idea of prices:

http://www.lawsonic.co.za/repairs.htm

Please keep us updated, and send pics when done :)

Good luck!
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Awesome info thanks Nicci!

This one was made in 1878 making it 134 years old which blows my mind. It has some scuff marks on the front which were apparently caused by the piano rubbing on the ox wagon. That for me is amazing.

Restoring doesn't look cheap but probably well worth the money. Looks like lawsonic is in the Cape? I am sadly in JHB.
 
Grimspoon said:
Awesome info thanks Nicci!

This one was made in 1878 making it 134 years old which blows my mind. It has some scuff marks on the front which were apparently caused by the piano rubbing on the ox wagon. That for me is amazing.

Restoring doesn't look cheap but probably well worth the money. Looks like lawsonic is in the Cape? I am sadly in JHB.
Click to expand...

It is an absolute pleasure!! You are really lucky to have found this gem!! I would most definately restore it, it will be worth it! It is amazing and rare to get such an item with such history attached to it!

I would suggest giving Kallie a call - he is located in the JHB area, and is very reputable with restorations. Maybe give him a call and see what he will quote you, and then do the most important ones first and do it gradually!

Address:
596 Plaas Street
Claremont
Pretoria
Gauteng
South Africa


GPS Co-ordinates: S25 42.915 E28 08.046

E-mail: [email protected]
Skype: KallieSwanepoel


General piano services and other enquiries (phone): +27 (0) 12 379 3762
Piano tuner direct (voip phone): +27 (0) 87 807 8055
Piano tuner direct (phone): +27 (0) 12 377 0338
Piano tuner (mobile): +27 (0) 83 261 6942
Piano tuner's callback system (voice link): +27 (0) 88 129 8775
General piano services and other enquiries (fax): +27 (0) 86 633 2999


Do let me know how you are coming along, I have a fond affection towards pianos :)
 
Howzit

My uncle - Peter Maher - is one of the most respected tuners in the country. he also does restoration work and is affordable. http://www.pianopleasure.co.za/

Mention my name for the family discount. Either him or my cousin will do the tune and restoration - he has been doing it for 40 years and has worked with many great names, including Sinatra, Elton John, etc.

Whatever you do, avoid okes who just do digital tuning. You will need that thing tuned and tempered.

Good luck and enjoy it.
 
GreGorGy said:
Howzit

My uncle - Peter Maher - is one of the most respected tuners in the country. he also does restoration work and is affordable. http://www.pianopleasure.co.za/

Mention my name for the family discount. Either him or my cousin will do the tune and restoration - he has been doing it for 40 years and has worked with many great names, including Sinatra, Elton John, etc.

Whatever you do, avoid okes who just do digital tuning. You will need that thing tuned and tempered.

Good luck and enjoy it.
Click to expand...

Wow man what a small word. . . . . I know your uncle :)

My mom also knows him pretty well. I will drop you a PM ;)

zizo911 said:
Pics please!!! :D
Click to expand...

Will put some up tomorrow :)
 
Grimspoon said:
Wow man what a small word. . . . . I know your uncle :)
Click to expand...

Incredibly small - I was at some oke's place about 10 years ago and he was showing off his new upright and telling me about the oke he bought it from and then, looking at the piano, I instantly recognised my uncle's work.

Very strange world - my mother came from a family of 7 siblings and I had 22 cousins. Of them, about 3 of us have no musical talent whatsoever. Sucks to be me. All my cousins can play some or other instrument except myself, my one brother and one or two of my other cousins.
 
GreGorGy said:
Incredibly small - I was at some oke's place about 10 years ago and he was showing off his new upright and telling me about the oke he bought it from and then, looking at the piano, I instantly recognised my uncle's work.

Very strange world - my mother came from a family of 7 siblings and I had 22 cousins. Of them, about 3 of us have no musical talent whatsoever. Sucks to be me. All my cousins can play some or other instrument except myself, my one brother and one or two of my other cousins.
Click to expand...

Pretty incredible!

He comes highly recommended so I will definitely give him a ring.

Thanks!
 
Wow. A baby grand piano. That looks awesome no matter what condition.

I can only play Für Elise ... the first page ... :( I taught myself by pasting stickers on the keys.
 
Picard said:
Wow. A baby grand piano. That looks awesome no matter what condition.

I can only play Für Elise ... the first page ... :( I taught myself by pasting stickers on the keys.
Click to expand...

I love playing that! Sound so melodic :p
 
Grimspoon said:
So I have been gifted a KAPS baby grand piano by a relative. Super excited as I have always wanted a baby grand. It is the only instrument I have always wanted to play but never had a piano.

It is seriously old, dates back to the 1800's but is in fair shape. It needs work no doubt. The ivory on 2 keys is missing and the finish is scuffed in places and needs a good polish.

Needs a tune but overall sounds fantastic.

Anyone know about the Kaps brand? It is apparently made by Ernst Kaps.
Click to expand...

Wow, awesome dude. Really happy for you even though I'm musically dyslexic but would be awesome to own something like that.

Take care of it and have it properly restored ;)

Yeah and bring on the pics. Oh, and post the serial number of the piano here, maybe we can dig up a bit more of it's history.
 
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ponder said:
Wow, awesome dude. Really happy for you even though I'm musically dyslexic but would be awesome to own something like that.

Take care of it and have it properly restored ;)

Yeah and bring on the pics. Oh, and post the serial number of the piano here, maybe we can dig up a bit more of it's history.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ponder :)
 
Any of the piano fans on this group know anything about Mackay and bros. upright piano's?

Also received one as a gift from a friend, though this one needs a lot of work.
 
remola said:
Any of the piano fans on this group know anything about Mackay and bros. upright piano's?

Also received one as a gift from a friend, though this one needs a lot of work.
Click to expand...

Possibly a imported piano (Zimmerman, Otto Bach ?) by Mackay and Bros. of SA from the early 1900's

Do you have any other details, serial# (any writing/stickers) on the piano etc etc? Some pics might also help.
 
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