Pleyel 1886

Boisselot et fils

Wonderful casework veneered in exotic coubaril. French ‘wiggly’ mouldings. Fine ormolu details. Triple music desk. Franz Liszt was a great admirer of this maker and had 4 of his instruments. This is similar the Liszt’s piano which was sent to him in Odessa

Lilylady, do you have the story to the Stodart 1820? I understand there is an experimental frame on that piano, as you can see it is very unusual.

The Boisselot, also is unusual, but practical, I understand it has the extra music desks for ensemble playing.

Also the Pleyel, it is crafted with such artwork, I wonder if you have some closeup pictures, it's just too much having one small pic of this bit of dazzle!

Gabriel Gaveau 1920

Welmar 1930

Rippen 1965

An aluminum Rippen with see-through plexi lid. Happens to be mine:


Wim

I am impressed Wim!

Could you share more? Why 'it'? How did the purchase come about? What do you think now? What are its characteristics that you like, dislike etc?

I am so curious.

LL

Lilylady,

Why 'it' ? I was struck by the design. I liked the slim belly and stylish legs.

About the purchase: too long a story to post here. Check your PM.

What I think now : I'm still in love with it. But: if I were to have the money i'd buy a Sauter Ambiente (Maly design).

Characteristics I like (soundwise): a very nice bass, not a growling monster but nice sustain; treble is a bit like chimes.
Characteristics I dislike: tuning is not a as stable as I'd want it to be, treble tends to sound a bit too metallic.

If you really are interested in pics (see: Wim's Project) and other stuff check this website :
Aluminum Rippen grand
You have to sign in, but it's free.

Greetz,

Wim

OMG Wim, your PM and story were fascinating. I am wondering why I forgot, or if I had ever known that you own a Rippen.

I shall look into your website page in the morning. Watching THE PIANIST at the moment while still recovering from horrid chest cold.

I am sure that others will wish to know what you have shared with me.

Wim, there are some more Rippens here, including a surprising Gold plated one. Also Mr Rippen was quite the innovator as you will also see by his folding grand piano, also shown. I'd be quite interested to read impressions of your own AluRip as well... One thing that intrigues me, since as I understand it, the whole piano case and frame are made from Aluminium, does this mean the tuning pins are still set in a conventional wooden plank, I guess they would have to be. Does the tuning issue come from the expansion of the light Aluminium? How much does it weigh? And what is the length?

http://well-temperedforum.grou...3/m/9600093343/p/204
http://well-temperedforum.grou...3/m/9600093343/p/205

Mell’s Piano

"...a beautiful home outside Los Angeles, and in it is one of cartooning’s most treasured artifacts… and I don’t mean Mell. I mean Mell’s piano. Many years ago..."

Read the fascinating story, lots more pics as well, this is some cartoon festooned piano of high order!

http://www.tomrichmond.com/blo...9/05/22/mells-piano/

Brian,

I'm pretty familiar with the pics you provided. The folding piano is a Lindner (a Rippen subsidiary). The kid showing the piano is my friend's son.

The aluminum Rippen grand is in fact made of silumin. One of the pictures you provided suggests that the body consist of one part; which isn't correct. The body consists of two parts bolted together. The piano weighs approx. 220 kilo and measures 185 cm.

The tuning pins fit in a wooden pinblock :
Rippen pinblock

The tuning issues are not due to the expansion of the aluminum construction, but rather from moisture influencing the soundboard (laminated and reverse crown).

The gold plated Rippen was due to be ready in december 2009, I don't know where the delay comes from. Price is set at €25,000...

Source Gold plated Rippen

Greetz,

Wim