wood, metal, and ivory - 1825

[NutmegCT]

After many moons in my workshop, the 1825 Alpheus Babcock piano is finally in playing condition. Oh the headaches and stories I could tell.

Amazing to think, when this piano was built (Boston, 1825), Beethoven was still alive.

Very cool!

 

[JPSmit]

very cool - well done! any chance of a video

 

[NutmegCT]

And now, ladies and gents, a video showing what age, arthritis, and a cheap microphone gets ya!

Schubert, op. 94.

 

[AngliaGT]

Cool! Who's living room is that?
I didn't think you had any of those
newfangled electric lights.

 

[waltesefalcon]

Great work Tom!

I have an 1850s New Haven Melodean, like this one, out in my shed waiting for me to work on it. You've maybe inspired me to go work on it.

 

[NutmegCT]

Walt - can you give me more details on the piano in the background? Looks like much more than a run of the mill Sears catalog piano.

TM

 

[Basil]

Wow, that’s fan-dang-tastic!!!

 

[waltesefalcon]

Walt - can you give me more details on the piano in the background? Looks like much more than a run of the mill Sears catalog piano.

TM

Tom, I wish I could. My melodean is taken apart right now I'm my shed. That is just a picture I found on the internet of the same model.

 

[NutmegCT]

LOL - ok, no problem.

The New Haven melodeons were very popular back in the day, along with the Prince melodeons. If you can give me a serial number, and/or a good photo or two of yours, I might be able to look up some history for you.

Tom M.

 

[PAUL161]

Lovey restoration Tom! Very nice.

 

[waltesefalcon]

LOL - ok, no problem.

The New Haven melodeons were very popular back in the day, along with the Prince melodeons. If you can give me a serial number, and/or a good photo or two of yours, I might be able to look up some history for you.

Tom M.

I'll go dig it up at lunch today.