marshall and wendell piano serial number ???

Question

I am considering purchasing a 'Marshall and Wendell' baby grand piano. Based on it's appearances, I was told it was made in the 1950s but the piano retailer cannot seem to locate the serial number.

Does anyone have any experience with this piano manufacturer? If so, do you have any suggestions on where the serial number may be located? Also, do you have any thoughts on this piano manufacturer? I did many online searches for this company and cannot seem to find to much information to date.

Answer 1

The piano my have had some work done.
Some less-than-careful refurbishers sometimes cover up the serial number when they repaint the harp. Drives me crazy

Try pulling the action and looking on the action frame. Or it may be on top of the keybed -- action has to be pulled completely out. Crawl underneath and see if it is on the keybed or stenciled to one of the radial beams. Use a flashlight.

Be careful of retailers who "can't locate" a serial number.

Consult a technician who has a Pierce atlas. Let them look over the piano before you buy -- always a good investment.

I don't know Marshall and Wendell. I am gonna bet it was made well before 1950. I would avoid this piano.

But I don't know everything!!

Good luck!!

EDIT:

TO

Firstly, Steinway has *not* discontinued the S model -- still in production bigtime. They did discontinue the "L" model (5'10") in favor of the "O" model (also 5'10") which is a round-tailed design as opposed to the wide-tailed "L".

Secondly, I have customers who look for "baby" grands all the time. But to some, a "baby" is anything smaller than a full concert grand. I asked one customer what size "baby" he was looking for, and he said "Oh, about 7 feet". So I always take the description "baby" with a grain of salt.

The piano in question is from the 1950's or before, according to the questioner, so I don't think we are looking at a stenciled instrument, but one from a defunct manufacturer.

Answer 2

Marshall Serial Numbers

Answer 3

This is a *stencil piano* - the IS not *Marshall and Wendell* company. God only knows who made this ( yes, I could trundle downstairs, go thru the Pierce nook or the Larry Fine books, and find out) but it is not worth it. Let's take this further - neither is a baby grand. decent height upright ( maybe 44 - 48 "0 will have greater string length, therefore better tone quality, etc. than a BABY grand. Even Steinway (here the congregation may genuflect . . .) has discontinued their S model. If something looks like it ought to be in Zsa Zsa Gabor's boudoir, then you cannot take it seriously as an instrument.

Ger yourself a decent Yamaha upright and be happy. If you HAVE to have a small grand, then investigate the *cousin* pianos of Steinway - Boston, for example, Young Chang, Pearl River, Kawai, etc. There will be a WIDE variance in price - if you have a quarter-million that is burning a hole in your pocket, I could make some suggestions - and I know that there is a contributor on this list that is a Steinway dealer . .

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
marshall and wendell piano serial number ???
I am considering purchasing a 'Marshall and Wendell' baby grand piano. Based on it's appearances, I was told it was made in the 1950s but the piano retailer cannot seem to locate the serial number.

Does anyone have any experience with this piano manufacturer? If so, do you have...

Answer 5

Any one know how to locate the Serial # on a baby grand Marshall & Wendell?

Answer 6

I have a Marshall and Wendell piano, Parlor Gem # 3350, how old is it?

Answer 7

112139