Piano Palooza - Vintage Anchor Hocking

As you may already know,
there's an event coming up next weekend (July 13-16, 2017)
and we're calling Piano Palooza.
Basically, it's a fund raiser for restoration work on this old piano.
Here's an example of some of the things you'll find at Piano Palooza:
Vintage Anchor Hocking from the 1960s - Prescut Glass Star of David Design.

See you next weekend at Piano Palooza
in the Beautiful City of Wyandotte, MI!

Restore Andrea The Piano!!

 
She's talkin' about me!
She's talkin' about me!
My pianist owner is talkin' about me, Andrea The Piano!

The complete text of what she says is below!

Or,  
you can just click here 
and Donate To My Restoration Project Now!

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I’d like to introduce you all to
Andrea The Piano.

Andrea is an antique Steinway & Sons
square grand piano.
dated at 1872,
making her 143 years old.
She was crafted in New York
by the most skilled of old world artisans

Andrea the Piano is made of Brazilian rosewood.
Because it is endangered
import & export of rosewood,
either as lumber or as a finished product,
is prohibited
from most countries in the world
including the Unites States.

As such,
Andrea The Piano
is an American made beauty
that will never leave the United States of America.       
                                   
This piano has many hand carved features,
such as the legs, music rack and pedal.
She also features hand stenciling inside.

And while we have no documented proof of this,
we firmly believe that Henry Steinway himself
chose the wood that would later become Andrea The Piano.
It takes a full year to craft a Steinway Piano,
but before that,
it takes 2 years to dry and prepare the wood.
Andrea the Piano is dated at 1872,                   
which means artisans started crafting her in 1871.
But the wood for this magnificent piano
would have been chosen in 1869
to being the 2 year preparation process.
Henry Steinway died in 1871.
So then,
it is altogether possible
that he chose the wood himself
for Andrea The Piano
though he would not live to see the finished piano.

Andrea The Piano
is one of many instruments
in The Little Piano House,
located in the beautiful city
of Wyandotte, MI.
This little house
is a music, art & piano studio.
There are actually 2 artists
that utilize studio space
in the Little piano house,
one whose artwork is featured in River's Edge Gallery
in the beautiful city of Wyandotte, MI
And of course,
Students arrive to learn the art of piano.

And so,
Andrea The Piano is housed
with several pieces of artwork,
with several electronic instruments
and a few antique reed organs.

This is NOT a piano
behind glass or a red velvet ribbon
in a museum with a
“do not touch” sign.
On the contrary,
we welcome pianists,
young and old
to enjoy this magnificent piano.

This piano is need of much restoration work
and we ask for your help and support
to bring her back to full glory.
There aren’t many qualified and trained
to do the all the work needed.
Indeed, just to bring her to The Little House
required piano movers knowledgeable
about such Victorian era instruments.
As such,
a full restoration will be quite costly.
She will need to travel out of state
to have complete restoration work done.

Just to give you an idea
of how much detail is required. . .

Did you know that each key on a piano
has over 50 pieces?

Multiply that by 88 keys
and we are speaking of well over 4,000 parts
that must be restored, repaired, or replaced.
And that is just for the piano keys alone.

Who am I?
My name is Rubi
and I am one of the owners of Andrea The Piano
and of the little house
that houses Andrea.

I am no stranger to music
in Metro Detroit and Downriver.
I’ve been working in church music ministry for years.
Perhaps you’ve been a member
of one of the many children’s choirs I’ve directed over the years.
Or maybe you were a member of one of the adult choirs
that participated in special events,
like this group that had the opportunity
to sing in Mexico City.
Perhaps I was the musician for your wedding
or your child’s first communion.
Perhaps you had me as a piano teacher
in Detroit
at COMPAS Center of music & performing arts
or at Garage Cultural / The Cultural Garage,
Or maybe even at the Little House.

Maybe it’s because I’ve accompanied you as a musician
during life’s special moments.
Maybe it’s because you have a love for music.
Maybe it’s because you treasure antiques.
Maybe it’s because you appreciate works of art.
Maybe it’s because you live in or near Wyandotte, MI
and would love to help in a local project.
Maybe you’re one of Andrea’s Twitter followers
have enjoyed her wit, humor, and wisdom.

Whatever the reason
I’m asking you to help us
Restore Andrea.

Did you know that in 1872. . . .

Did you know that the year I was crafted
as a Square Grand Piano (1872). . .

The Jesse James gang robs bank in Columbia, Kentucky.
They would leave 1 dead
and make off with bank loot of $1,500.00

Did you know that it will cost than that to move me to and from the place
where I would like to have my restoration work done???

RestoreAndrea.org

Who Will Do The Restoration Work for Andrea The Piano?

Who will do my restoration work?
That is a loaded questions!

Not too long ago
a story appeared in a local newspaper about me.
Boy, did tons of folks have opinions and comments
about who should do my restoration work,
about where I should get it done.

I mean,
if your piano is the basement
you haven't made the best decisions
regarding your piano
and really aren't in a good place
to offer opinions about what's best
for someone else's piano.

And if your piano got new strings 50 years ago,
well, I hate to be the one to break the news to you,
but you are about ready to for new strings again.

But you know,
my pianist owner
has been on top of all of this.
She has researched and made phone calls.
She has been in touch with people
who have pianos like me.

There's a place in Detroit that can give me new strings.
However, they won't give me new pins
or do a thing to the pinblock.
Well, that's like trying to put a nail
in the same hole.

And there are other folks in Michigan
that have experience restoring antiques,
however, they made it very clear
that they know very little
disassembling and reassembling an antique piano.

And some folks
just never bothered to call her back.
I mean,
if you can't or won't work with me
at least let us know.
But they didn't even want to talk about me
and the work I need.

I could go on and on,
but I think you get the idea.

My pianist owner
finally started calling companies out of state.
Time and again those who do restoration work
on old pianos
started to recommend one particular place.
So, she contacted them.

They were very detailed
about the work that needed to be done
and about how they would do it.
They also made it very clear
that the full restoration would take
a full year to complete.

Now that just makes sense.
It takes a year to craft a Steinway.
But before that,
it takes two years to dry and prepare the wood.
It only makes sense
that a full restoration
would take one full year to complete.

So, who did we choose
to do my restoration work?
The Antique Piano Shop
located in the state of Tennessee.

Hey, Michael Stinnett,
I don't know when I'll get there,
but I hope you'll be ready
to take good care of me!!!

Andrea, The Piano

How Much Will it Cost To Restore Andrea The Piano?

First of all,
let me say that my pianist owner has done extensive research.
She called and inquired to places in Metro Detroit, Michigan,
and indeed, all over the United States.

She decided on the Antique Piano Shop in Tennessee
for a variety of reasons.
I'll write another blog post explaining why
we chose this place for my restoration work.
The numbers in the blog post, then,
reflect what it will cost for restoration work at this particular shop.

A Grade 2 Restoration, which includes strings, pins, hammers, felts, woodwork and so much more, will cost $22,000.00.
(you can visit The Antique Piano Shop for complete details on a Grade 2 Restoration).

Moving me from Michigan to Tennessee will cost $900.00.
Repeat that dollar amount for the trip back home.

A finished matching historically correct Victorian piano stool
will cost $500.00.
(Please note that a piano bench is actually 20th century, 
something that started as a fashion trend.)

-QRS/PNOmation (player action) will cost $7,500.00.
Please note that the Antique Piano Shop
is the only shop in the United States
that will work this feature on Square Grand Pianos.
This should further give you an idea of just how unique
and special a piano I am!

Grand Total for Restoration Work: $31,800.00

     -Andrea,
         The Piano 

Piano Parts

A piano has more than 12,00 parts,
I believe it's more like 12, 116 for a modern day Steinway Grand Piano.
The action for 1 key alone is more than 57 parts.
So, for 88 keys that's 4,500 parts.. . . just for the keys!

It's no small wonder my restoration work
will take a full year to complete!

Post by The Friends of Steinway Mansion.

     -Andrea,
          The Piano

 

Wanna See Some Leg??!!?

. . OK, piano leg!

Here's what my leg will look like once restored.
This piano leg is on a grand piano restored by The Antique Piano Shop,
where I hope to go for my restoration work.
This leg is on a Grand Piano and I am a Square Piano, but both are made of Brazilian Rosewood.

Midcentury Products by Friendsville Artists & Artisans Antique Piano Shop

This is what my legs look like now.

Just thought you'd like to get an idea!

      -Andrea,
        The Piano

Andrea's 31!!!

Welcome to my 31!
Yes, it's time for Andrea's 31!

No, it's not my 31st birthday!
Actually when this new year came
I officially became a 143 year old piano!
Yes, I am a 143 year old Steinway Square Grand Piano!
But it's NOT my birthday!

Actually, Andrea's 31 in online event
to help raise a few dollars that will go toward my restoration project.

You all are familiar with Thirty-One, are you not?
Purses, Wallets, Tots.
Products for you, for you home!

With your purchase,
you'll get a great product
and I'll be a step closer to the Antique Piano Shop.

Won't you join us for Andrea's 31?!!??

Oh, and just so you know,
there will be many ways you will be able to support me
in my journey toward restoration.

Thank you for your support!

Musically yours,
Andrea, The Piano

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town!!!

Santa is coming!
Santa is coming!
Santa Claus is coming to town!

Does Santa visit old pianos?
Will he come to the Little House in Wyandotte where I live
and leave me any presents?

Will 2015 be a good year for this old Steinway?
Will I get to the restoration place some time next year?

Will I be getting any more antique roommates
any time soon?

Will my roommates also be going in for restoration work?

Hey, Jimmy Fallon,
why didn't you ask me if I wanted
to be in that video?

Ebony, Ivory and Me

This video features Michael Stinnett,
of The Antique Piano Shop.
That's where I hope to go one day
for my restoration work.

In this video Michael explains
how to tell if a piano has real ivory
and real ebony.

FYI,
ivory hasn't been used on pianos for decades.
Most, when being restored,
have piano keys that are replaced with plastic.
And new pianos are made with plastic keys.

Yes,
I do have all of my original ivory keys.
Some are cracked and some are chipped.
And some of my ivory
has actually fallen inside this old piano.
But I have ivory keys.
And in the restoration process,
the plan is to keep all of my ivory.
We hope to restore every inch of ivory possible.
When not possible,
only then will a faux ivory be used. 

-Andrea The Piano 

It takes 350 hands. . . .

It takes a year to build a Steinway piano.
But before the piano can be created,
it takes a year
just to prepare the wood.

It takes 350 hands to build the Steinway,
but only 1 pair of hands to make her sing.

Alas,
I won't be singing this beautifully
for quite some time
as it will take a year
for my restoration work to be done.
And before that,
we must first raise the necessary funds.

But here's to dreaming the big dream!!!

Enjoy!

Andrea,
The Piano.

More on Square Grand Pianos

Here's a video that details a little bit more
about square grand pianos.
This video was made by
The Antique Piano Shop,
where I hope to one day go for restoration work.
I can't wait for the day
when I go to meet Mr. Michael Stinnet
and get all restored at The Antique Piano Shop!

Enjoy the video!

Andrea,
The Piano.

This Is What I Could Look And Sound Like . . .

Yes, in this video you'll see and hear
what I might look and sound like
once I am fully restored.

This video is of a Bradbury piano, and I am a Steinway.
Nonetheless, I think you all get the idea.

This video was made by the people
I hope to do the restoration work for me,
The Antique Piano Shop.

Via pianomation, (a feature I hope to have one day!)
this piano plays Elton John's Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Enjoy!

-Andrea, The Piano

Andrea, Can You Tell Us What Happens To Pianos As They Age?

Andrea's Piano Strings

What can happen to pianos
after time?

Well,
you're asking the right question
as I am a piano
that is 142 years old!

Many, many things can happen,
even to the finest pianos,
when they age.

As pianos are made of wood,
well,
things can happen.
Some pianos can suffer many dents,dings and scratches
over the years.
Some pianos may need refinishing.
Pianos, such as myself,
can have many ornate moldings.
With time,
some of the moldings may have gotten chipped or damaged.
Some of the moldings
may even be missing.

I have a round stain.
At some point in time
one of my previous pianist owners
kept a house plant on me.
The plant got overwatered,
and,
unfortunately,
so did I.

Elderly pianos may have missing hammers or felts.
I have both of these problems.

Older pianos
may also have ivories
that have yellowed.
Sometimes the ivory
is chipped or cracked.
Some of my ivory is missing.
And some of my ivory
has actually fallen inside.

Now,
it's only older pianos
that actually have ivory keys.
Ivory hasn't been used on a piano keyboard
since 1972,
due to ivory laws.
Since 1972 pianos have plastic keys.

I, however,
have my original ivory keyboard.

And now,
let's talk about strings.
Most modern day pianos
have 88 keys,
though some square grand pianos before me
had 61 keys.
Eighty-eight keys is pretty standard now.
And each key has 3 strings.
The average life for strings and mechanisms
is about 50 years.
Sometimes a string will break
or there are other problems,
but for the most part
we can expect strings to last 50 years.

I have my original strings.
Though out of tune,
I am playable.
My pianist owner
doesn't want to have me tuned
for fear that the excess tension
will cause the strings to break.

Still,
my strings have lasted
almost 3 times longer
that what is normal.
This, indeed,
is yet another testament
as to what a fine instrument
a Steinway piano really is.

But,
alas,
my strings are old.
They need to be replaced,
as do my hammers, felts
and pin block.

I am a very special piano
with very special needs.
Please stop and take a few moments
to think of ways
you can help me
reach my goal
of a complete restoration.
In the weeks to come
I'll be offering several suggestions.
For now, though,
you have some idea
as to what can happen to pianos
as they age.

Historically yours,
Andrea,
The Piano.

I Am Andrea, The Piano

Hello, World!

 

I am Andrea.

I am an 1872 Steinway Piano.
Yes, I am a Steinway!

Steinway: The Rolls Royce of Pianos.

And I am a square grand piano.

So many have never seen a square grand,

don't even know what one is.

But here I am!

More on Steinway,

about Henry Steinway himself,

about square grand pianos,

about pianos in general,

and even, perhaps,

a bit about some great composers.

I recently moved to

the Beautiful City of Wyandotte, MI.

But I will tell you all more about my travels,

about the journey that brought me to Wyandotte,

as this blog progresses.

I am over 100 years old,

and I have to admit

that I do have a few health problems.

With this blog

I'd like to let you know

what happens to pianos as they age,

and why some (like me!)

are truly historic treasures

worthy of restoration.

Soon

I will put up a "contact me" form

on this blog

so that we can dialogue

and get to know one another.

I'm sure there are many questions

you all might have

for a lady that is 142 years young!

Anyhow,
I just wanted to introduce myself

and let you all know

that I will be blogging here

with a little help from my pianist.

Welcome to my blog!

-Musically yours,

Andrea, The Piano.