Ajello piano
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Ajello piano
I recently bought an upright Ajello piano No 42324 built around the 1970s. It is overstrung underdamped and has Schwander (action?) stamped on it. The bodywork is very solid and looks like a Kemble. I understand Ajello from Manchester ceased production a long time ago. I would like to know where this piano was made and by which company. I have tried searching the internet so far without success. Can anyone help please. Thanks. Sue
- Colin Nicholson
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Re: Ajello piano
Hi Sue,
According to my records in the Pierce Piano Atlas book, Ajello & Sons were a company in their own right, based at:
Leestone Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, UK. (Est. 1862)
The action makers Schwander were a separate company who provided mechanisms for Ajello and other makers.
If the serial number is correct (according to how it is executed and correctly located on the piano/ font type etc) would suggest an earlier build date of around 1949 - 1950. Can only be confirmed by seeing a photo.
The serial number lists stopped in 1960 - #225660
The company also made the small "Michelle" and "Minette" piano
Bill may be able to expand on that.
Colin
According to my records in the Pierce Piano Atlas book, Ajello & Sons were a company in their own right, based at:
Leestone Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, UK. (Est. 1862)
The action makers Schwander were a separate company who provided mechanisms for Ajello and other makers.
If the serial number is correct (according to how it is executed and correctly located on the piano/ font type etc) would suggest an earlier build date of around 1949 - 1950. Can only be confirmed by seeing a photo.
The serial number lists stopped in 1960 - #225660
The company also made the small "Michelle" and "Minette" piano
Bill may be able to expand on that.
Colin
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Colin Nicholson Dip. Mus. CMIT CLCM PTLLS
Piano tuning & repairs. Full UK restoration service
http://www.aatuners.com
Tuition ~ Accompaniment ~ Weddings
http://www.pianotime1964.com
Member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen
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Re: Ajello piano
They made (or at least had their names !) on player pianos too.
I play for my own amazement... 

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Re: Ajello piano
Hi colin. Thanks for this. However I am pretty sure this piano is later than 1960 its appearance is similar to many of 1970s such as Kemble etc. One pos clue is that the keys are not ivory. I would like to send a couple of photos but cant work out how to upload them to this site. Can anyone help please. Thank Sue
- Bill Kibby
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Re: Ajello piano
With the Ajello name, there are 3 main options.
1). The published dates of serial numbers are for the Manchester firm.
2). Guiliano Ajello was a London maker a century ago.
3). Some of the mysteries of piano names are discussed at
http://www.pianohistory.info/names.html
On that page, I explain how firms like Cramer and Kemble took over many of the old piano names. Kembles made the modern "Ajello" pianos, but they told me their archives were lost in a fire.
If you want to search inside the piano for clues, have a look at
http://www.pianohistory.info/datemarks.html
It is usually very easy and quick to find the key-frame label in a modern Kemble or similar, and this may tell you the make or model. Unfortunately, most pianos have several numbers inside, and the most likely answer is a number preceded by K, inside the piano at keyboard level, on the left.
If you find it difficult to post photos here, you can just email them to me, and I will post them. Artificial key covering materials have been around since the 1860s, as explained at
http://www.pianohistory.info/miscellaneous.html
1). The published dates of serial numbers are for the Manchester firm.
2). Guiliano Ajello was a London maker a century ago.
3). Some of the mysteries of piano names are discussed at
http://www.pianohistory.info/names.html
On that page, I explain how firms like Cramer and Kemble took over many of the old piano names. Kembles made the modern "Ajello" pianos, but they told me their archives were lost in a fire.
If you want to search inside the piano for clues, have a look at
http://www.pianohistory.info/datemarks.html
It is usually very easy and quick to find the key-frame label in a modern Kemble or similar, and this may tell you the make or model. Unfortunately, most pianos have several numbers inside, and the most likely answer is a number preceded by K, inside the piano at keyboard level, on the left.
If you find it difficult to post photos here, you can just email them to me, and I will post them. Artificial key covering materials have been around since the 1860s, as explained at
http://www.pianohistory.info/miscellaneous.html
Piano History Centre
http://pianohistory.info
Email bill@pianohistory.info
If you find old references or links on this site to pianogen.org, alter these to pianohistory.info
http://pianohistory.info
Email bill@pianohistory.info
If you find old references or links on this site to pianogen.org, alter these to pianohistory.info
Re: Ajello piano
We used to buy Ajellos from Ajello in Manchester in the 1950-60s
I remember them as very good
I remember them as very good
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Any fool can make a piano-- it needs a tuner to put the music in it
www.lochnesspianos.co.uk
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