I've recently come across a monster of a Haines Bros. upright from the year 1900 in my part of the world (NZ). By monster, I mean a BFG, not an evil one
. It's 55 and 1/2 inches tall (141cm)! And cross strung at that.These are rare in NZ - in fact, it's the only one I can ever recall seeing. Larry Fine says Haines Bros. can be very good (lists it in "highly regarded piano brand names built before 1930"). And despite having two broken treble strings, a dead bass, an action not obviously regulated in the recent past, and not having seen a tuner for many a year, I got enough a glimpse of what it could sound like when I played it, to want to ask:
Does anyone have experience of a Haines Bros. upright from that era?
Of having tuned one?
Of having had one refurbished?
Of having had one rebuilt?
Of having played one that has been refurbished/rebuilt?
Do you have many/any Haines Bros. pianos in the UK? Or should I perhaps try the US piano forums?
I would have it professionally checked out before considering purchasing, but just wondered if anyone had been down this route before.
Thanks for any advice you can give.