We have a local piano store that has repurposed a grand piano carcasses into a bookshelf, and a lid into a gorgeous desk. They have a piano harp on the wall for display. I plan to ask about getting one of their baby grand cast-offs for the keyboard trick. A travelling theater group came through our town a few years ago, and they had taken the keyboard concept further by slicing the carcass at an angle, with the rest of the piano painted onto a scenic backdrop. Very clever, and from the audience perspective, made it look like the pianist was seated at a full grand.
Great video. How much would you say the harp weighs? Would you also be able to keep the strings intact and attached to the harp without including the entire soundboard but just the pinboard underneath?
Piano Technician here. That much work, what in the world where you trying to do with those strings and pins? You Take note of gauge measurements as you go, have replaced those anyways. Cut strings and measure. Strip from the pins. Then compact drill to extract pins. WAY faster! Those damper felts and mute strips are cheap too.
Shaun, I am glad that you are here as I had a question regarding the strings in the baby grand. I asked Oakley too but could you put in your thoughts? I am taking apart the baby grand to make the shell into a shelf. Do I need take all the strings off before I remove the harp since I am not saving or reusing them, and when I am removing the harp do I need to put shims between int and the sound board since no repurposing is going on?
Thank you for that advice! I wanted to do it but the kind of socket is unique for tuning pins correct? What kind of attachment do you use on your drill to remove them faster?
Our school has a baby grand that we want to repurpose but nobody had a clue until I stumbled across this video. We can get it moved to where we're going to take it apart but how did you build that awesome custom scaffold? Could you share a schematic?
00:26 Does this process work for other grand pianos as well? And once it's removed, how do you get it back on? I'd like to know how it's done to use in concerto performances where the piano lid is removed completely so the soloist can conduct the orchestra at the same time. Thank you for sharing this video!
For the most part a lot of them have the same pin system similar to a door in a house. When putting it back on, you just need to make sure everything is lined back up to put the pins back in. It can be hard as most piano less are not removed very often.
Im thinking about gutting out a baby piano, and placing a keyboard inside. Would you say an empty baby piano is lift-able? Will it be light enough to move it from place to place?
Good videos, Thanks! I am planning on taking apart a baby grand and turn the shell into a shelf. So I don't have any need for the saving the strings or sound board. My question is do I need to take the strings out to remove the harp?
@@oakleydoeseverything6438 Thank you! I used a proper tool (a tuning wrench) to take out all the pins and remove all the strings. Disassembly almost complete!
I am in the process of gutting an old baby grand to make a desk. We think we have taken the screws and bolts out of the harp. We have cut all of the strings and now about to get a car jack to lift the harp. However the side near the fret board seems to still be in place. Are there any additional bolts underneath that we are not seeing? Any suggestions?
I'm trying to remember if there was something under the main hall that was a right fit. But all pianos are different and you might have to remove the keyboard to get to the underside to see if there are any screwed holding it in from the under side. Good luck!! Send me some pictures of my Instagram.
Did you also take out the tuning pins? I suggest using a brace and get the special socket bit that fits piano tuning pins. You can get it on Amazon www.amazon.com/Gemm-Piano-Power-Tuning-Socket/dp/B01MDT4N18/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=socket+bit+for+piano+tuning+pins&qid=1622898533&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-2. With a brace and the bit you can get them all out much faster than in this video
I am trying to disassemble a baby grand in a basement so it can be removed, how difficult do you think it will be to move the harp without access to an engine lift?
It's doable so long as you have some friends to help. If you had three or four people help you lift it out it should be doable. Just be careful and take your time!
@@oakleydoeseverything6438 Thank you for the reply and the advice! I was also wondering if detaching the string is a necessary step or not? I'm kind of assuming it is since THAT many of those big strings would add a lot of weight to the harp. I'm sorry to ask so many questions but there aren't very many resources for this sort of thing that I could find!
@@KrazyKaiser no worries! Yes you do have to remove the strings. They are attached to the tuning pins which are in the peg board, and although that is also attached to the harp, it gets additional strength for being anchored into the piano. And you have to remove the harp to remove the peg block so....... Yes!
Honestly I didn't think that I did a very good job doing it so I didn't cover it in the video. Or at least I don't remember doing it in the video. When I was checking the down bearing, I wasn't getting any noticable readings so I took measurements of how the mounts were and I'm hoping I can get away with making the reinstall as close to original as possible.
@@oakleydoeseverything6438 I am in the same job... big job... it is the first time for me also, then...a lot of work, check and work, check and work. Good job man, good luck (to you and to me...)
We have a local piano store that has repurposed a grand piano carcasses into a bookshelf, and a lid into a gorgeous desk. They have a piano harp on the wall for display. I plan to ask about getting one of their baby grand cast-offs for the keyboard trick. A travelling theater group came through our town a few years ago, and they had taken the keyboard concept further by slicing the carcass at an angle, with the rest of the piano painted onto a scenic backdrop. Very clever, and from the audience perspective, made it look like the pianist was seated at a full grand.
Really neat video enjoyed watching. Thanks
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Great video. How much would you say the harp weighs? Would you also be able to keep the strings intact and attached to the harp without including the entire soundboard but just the pinboard underneath?
Thanks! Now I understand why grand piano is so expensive!!! ^_^
Absolutely!
This is a TH-cam treasure. Thank you
Thank you! That is very nice.
@@oakleydoeseverything6438 you're welcome, the truth comes easy. This is the best video I have seen since the video of the Amish moving a barn. 👍
Piano Technician here. That much work, what in the world where you trying to do with those strings and pins? You Take note of gauge measurements as you go, have replaced those anyways. Cut strings and measure. Strip from the pins. Then compact drill to extract pins. WAY faster! Those damper felts and mute strips are cheap too.
Shaun, I am glad that you are here as I had a question regarding the strings in the baby grand. I asked Oakley too but could you put in your thoughts? I am taking apart the baby grand to make the shell into a shelf. Do I need take all the strings off before I remove the harp since I am not saving or reusing them, and when I am removing the harp do I need to put shims between int and the sound board since no repurposing is going on?
Thank you for that advice! I wanted to do it but the kind of socket is unique for tuning pins correct? What kind of attachment do you use on your drill to remove them faster?
Do you use 1ton hoist for lifting harp ?
I think my hoist can lift up to 3k pounds at the proper setting but a 1 ton will do the work.
If I am just trying to remove the piano by taking apart only what's required, how long will it take? I'm not saving anything.
Our school has a baby grand that we want to repurpose but nobody had a clue until I stumbled across this video. We can get it moved to where we're going to take it apart but how did you build that awesome custom scaffold? Could you share a schematic?
00:26 Does this process work for other grand pianos as well? And once it's removed, how do you get it back on? I'd like to know how it's done to use in concerto performances where the piano lid is removed completely so the soloist can conduct the orchestra at the same time. Thank you for sharing this video!
For the most part a lot of them have the same pin system similar to a door in a house. When putting it back on, you just need to make sure everything is lined back up to put the pins back in. It can be hard as most piano less are not removed very often.
Im thinking about gutting out a baby piano, and placing a keyboard inside. Would you say an empty baby piano is lift-able? Will it be light enough to move it from place to place?
Did you ever do that? How much did it weigh? Did it work like you wanted it to?
How did you build the frame stable underneath the piano so that you can do everything without risk of getting hurt??
What is the sliding part called on a piano? The long piece above the keys that hold the books and moves forward and back.
Probably just a music stand.
Music desk
Good videos, Thanks! I am planning on taking apart a baby grand and turn the shell into a shelf. So I don't have any need for the saving the strings or sound board. My question is do I need to take the strings out to remove the harp?
Yes you do!
@@oakleydoeseverything6438 Thank you! I used a proper tool (a tuning wrench) to take out all the pins and remove all the strings. Disassembly almost complete!
how long did this take you??
I am in the process of gutting an old baby grand to make a desk. We think we have taken the screws and bolts out of the harp. We have cut all of the strings and now about to get a car jack to lift the harp. However the side near the fret board seems to still be in place. Are there any additional bolts underneath that we are not seeing? Any suggestions?
I'm trying to remember if there was something under the main hall that was a right fit. But all pianos are different and you might have to remove the keyboard to get to the underside to see if there are any screwed holding it in from the under side. Good luck!! Send me some pictures of my Instagram.
Did you also take out the tuning pins? I suggest using a brace and get the special socket bit that fits piano tuning pins. You can get it on Amazon www.amazon.com/Gemm-Piano-Power-Tuning-Socket/dp/B01MDT4N18/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=socket+bit+for+piano+tuning+pins&qid=1622898533&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-2. With a brace and the bit you can get them all out much faster than in this video
I am trying to disassemble a baby grand in a basement so it can be removed, how difficult do you think it will be to move the harp without access to an engine lift?
It's doable so long as you have some friends to help. If you had three or four people help you lift it out it should be doable. Just be careful and take your time!
@@oakleydoeseverything6438 Thank you for the reply and the advice! I was also wondering if detaching the string is a necessary step or not? I'm kind of assuming it is since THAT many of those big strings would add a lot of weight to the harp. I'm sorry to ask so many questions but there aren't very many resources for this sort of thing that I could find!
@@KrazyKaiser no worries! Yes you do have to remove the strings. They are attached to the tuning pins which are in the peg board, and although that is also attached to the harp, it gets additional strength for being anchored into the piano. And you have to remove the harp to remove the peg block so....... Yes!
Also keep in mind that yours may be different then mine!
@@oakleydoeseverything6438 thanks so much you have been a huge help!
How did you go about measuring the down bearing on the bridge?
Honestly I didn't think that I did a very good job doing it so I didn't cover it in the video. Or at least I don't remember doing it in the video. When I was checking the down bearing, I wasn't getting any noticable readings so I took measurements of how the mounts were and I'm hoping I can get away with making the reinstall as close to original as possible.
I see a harbor freight welder!
Oh yeah!! It doesn't get used enough to justify buying a nicer one. Harbor freight is where I do most of my shopping any ways!
Oakley Does Everything I’ve got the same deal going with mine haha. Great for little projects
@@riley7796 absolutely!
I've measured strings with caliper like your and then with micrometer... it's different, guy... go with micrometer!
Good to know! I was just using what I had but good for other people to know too!
@@oakleydoeseverything6438 I am in the same job... big job... it is the first time for me also, then...a lot of work, check and work, check and work. Good job man, good luck (to you and to me...)
@@davidemarchi6366 agreed! I hope the videos were of some help! I'm just an amateur that did a lot of research.
I have a 1925 Vose & Sons grand piano if you're interested.
Thanks! This one is for sentimental value. I don't collect them or anything. Thanks for letting me know though!
Hi: Do you refurbish pianos?
Hello Terry, I do not. This is just a project of my own that I wanted to undertake.
@@oakleydoeseverything6438 Well I certainly do appreciate your having responded and so quickly. Thank you.
@@tjackson1953 you're welcome! Please feel free to ask any questions you night have!
How did you build the frame stable underneath the piano so that you can do everything without risk of getting hurt??