Many pianos are just plain interesting and even beautiful. Here are a few that have caught my eye during my tunings.

Isn't this beautiful! It is a Mannsfeldt & Notini built in Dresden sometime in the late 1800's. It has been in the same family since new. If I only had room for it, I would jump at the chance to have it. My recommendation to the owners is to pas

Isn't this beautiful! It is a Mannsfeldt & Notini built in Dresden sometime in the late 1800's. It has been in the same family since new. If I only had room for it, I would jump at the chance to have it. My recommendation to the owners is to pass it down a few more generations.

Here is the nameplate for Mannsfeldt & Notini. I could find very little about this builder other than they existed.

Here is the nameplate for Mannsfeldt & Notini. I could find very little about this builder other than they existed.

This is an 1880's John J. Deacock piano that unfortunately went to the dump. It is really quite nice but the pin block was worn out and it couldn't be tuned.

This is an 1880's John J. Deacock piano that unfortunately went to the dump. It is really quite nice but the pin block was worn out and it couldn't be tuned.

Here's the action of the John J. Deacock piano. What is interesting here is that this is an example of a "birdcage" action. You can see the metal stickers that control the dampers which are above the hammers rather than below them as is the case wi

Here's the action of the John J. Deacock piano. What is interesting here is that this is an example of a "birdcage" action. You can see the metal stickers that control the dampers which are above the hammers rather than below them as is the case with modern pianos. It's a bear to tune even if it were in good shape.

This is the fall board from the Deacock piano which would typically show who built it but instead says "Iron Frame Check Action.

This is the fall board from the Deacock piano which would typically show who built it but instead says "Iron Frame Check Action.

Again, the Dearcock piano. I love how they built the music rack into the top of the piano where you could fold it out to hold the music. This also gives you some idea of the inlay.

Again, the Dearcock piano. I love how they built the music rack into the top of the piano where you could fold it out to hold the music. This also gives you some idea of the inlay.

This is a very old Weber grand player piano that is still in good shape and still works. You have to take the front piece off to change the player roll.

This is a very old Weber grand player piano that is still in good shape and still works. You have to take the front piece off to change the player roll.

The complexity of the mechanism is amazing on this Weber.

The complexity of the mechanism is amazing on this Weber.

This is an old Ivers and Pond piano from the 1800's that the family says was brought to California by covered wagon. Unfortunately, the piano wasn't taken care of well and the family didn't want to spend the money to restore it. It would have been

This is an old Ivers and Pond piano from the 1800's that the family says was brought to California by covered wagon. Unfortunately, the piano wasn't taken care of well and the family didn't want to spend the money to restore it. It would have been a lot.

The case of the Ivers and Pond.

The case of the Ivers and Pond.

This morning I had the joy of tuning an 1898 Erard from Paris. It is a very special piano as you will see from subsequent photos. Erard pianos, founded in 1777 by Sebastien Erard, pioneered some of the most important innovations in piano constructi

This morning I had the joy of tuning an 1898 Erard from Paris. It is a very special piano as you will see from subsequent photos. Erard pianos, founded in 1777 by Sebastien Erard, pioneered some of the most important innovations in piano construction. The double-escapement system was invented by Erard and is the default for grand pianos today. It allows one to repeat notes quickly. They were one of the first to incorporate metal frames to allow for heavier strings. Franz Liszt and Chopin both played Erard pianos.

Look at the workmanship on the case. It is a true work of art.

Look at the workmanship on the case. It is a true work of art.

The ornate music rack on the Erard.

The ornate music rack on the Erard.

There are a number of things to note in this photo of the Erard. First, you can see that it is straight-strung. Modern pianos are cross-strung to make room for longer strings in shorter cases. Then note that the dampers damp the strings from below

There are a number of things to note in this photo of the Erard. First, you can see that it is straight-strung. Modern pianos are cross-strung to make room for longer strings in shorter cases. Then note that the dampers damp the strings from below rather than from the top as modern pianos do.