The Piano That Time Forgot "1912 Walworth"

[@doninetexas]

Cool! Us old things still keep on working - I'm 83 and still work. Thanks for posting - Don Walworth

[@ThePianoforever]

Do you have any relation to the piano manufacturer? :D

[@theducklinghomesteadandgar6639]

My curiosity as well, did your uncle, or father or granfather or grand uncles or cousins or female relatives have anything to do with the manufacturing?? Did you grow up in the factory?! I second your comment about old things although people are not things still working and was going to say older made items last and work extraordinarily well and much, much longer than things manufactured after the 1960s!! He would put in a conditioned space that exact piano and a grand piano of today and provide regular cleaning and conditioning maintenance only and in another hundred years that piano will be in better condition and sound better than the grand piano!!! Just a fact because things back then were hand crafted not machine crafted and parts were 1000s of time better made than they are today and better wood better techniques will have been used than what they use today!!! So just saying shouldn't be so shocked...lol!!! I am just 47!!! Suzanne

[@steinwaygrande9736]

Well Donald if its any consolation I am not far behind you. Body has few creaks and groans first thing in the morning,

[@mercedeshendrickson8840]

Donald Walworth Leave it up to the younger generation to explain what a piano is all about, they are adventurous that's why. He plays well too so it makes it all the better. Iam 65 and never knew about how they worked. I enjoyed it too. Happy Thanksgiving!

[@icreatedanaccountforthis1852]

Are you the piano?

[@ericvonsiebenburg548]

Hi James, I'm now a subscriber. Mainly because I see you are a fellow traveler when it comes to being mystified by the magic of some old pianos. I am self-taught on a magical 1911 Emerson upright I discovered in the parlor of our "new" 1888 three story victorian mansion in New York state in 1974. The piano tuner I hired was so amazed when he examined it, he was virtually speechless. I had never played a piano before, and had no musical training. I played that 63 year-old piano every day - and night - for the next five years. All by ear. The piano wanted me to learn, and helped me in many mystical ways. Twenty years later I had become a professional concert pianist, and a personal friend of the Vice President of Steinway & sons in New York city. I had moved on to Steinway D's. Talk about your magical pianos! The guy who tuned that old Emerson every year (and it was rarely out - and never far out.) Offered to buy it every time he touched its like-new interior, which was all original, defying the ravages of three generations of child players. At least one of whom, before me, became a concert pianist as well, after growing up learning and practicing on the old Emerson - not a vaunted brand. But it was destroyed in an accident when we were moving it to my NY city studio in 1979. I guess it just couldn't bear to leave the old mansion it had resided in since before World war I. Perhaps it committed pianocide. I was there with friends when it threw itself over onto a concrete floor with no help from anyone. I'll not forget that day. None of us will. I've played old pianos all over the world, including Australia. I'm 76 now, and retired. I've learned a few things in my long life - very few - but one of those things is this: Old pianos - upright or grand often contain 'magic,' maybe even spirits. Know that, respect that, treasure that.

[@stevewright4576]

What a wonderful young "nerd", people like this keep ancient times relevant, love it...

[@mighitman5449]

As a technician, I'm not sure I buy that all the parts are original. But nonetheless it is in amazing condition for its age. The people who have worked on this piano have done an amazing job taking care of it.

[@CattailCat]

So nice to hear this young man so exuberant about this instrument. In this day and age people don't appreciate old or vintage or antique furniture or instruments or anything else. It takes Prodigy which he obviously is, to realize the value and the immense greatness of this piano. My extreme admiration to this young person and I wish him the best of luck in the future looking for more videos from him, his critique and Views and also his piano playing. Thank you for posting this😁🎶🎵

[@Papasmurf7597]

Thank you so much for showing and playing this wonderful antique upright. I had the good fortune to grow up in the house of my grand parents. My grand mother played a Lenox Upright Grand piano. That she purchased new in Paterson, NJ in 1907. After moving to Fl. ,I went back to Paterson to investigate moving my grandmother's piano to my home in Fl. But, it was 'thrown away'. I was heart broken. And still am. But I moved to slowly to rescue her piano. I never learned how to play. But I still enjoy listening to quality piano music.Your demonstration brought back many fond, long ago memories. thank you.

[@ThePianoforever]

I feel not only the great memories, but also the power of music in you. I think it would be wonderful for you to have a vertical grand piano, and why not make it a wonderful example of period at the same time. I know any piano you adopt would have found a wonderful home. If you do find one please keep me informed.

[@Papasmurf7597]

Thank you very much for your quick response. And nice compliment.

[@WC0125]

Looks great! Fumed oak case is certainly original. Sounds good but only as good as the fantastic player. Thank you for sharing!

[@pamelaparzych3489]

Piano's are a gift from God. Causes us to ponder and enjoy the wonderful vibrations coming down to sooth all our troubles. This beautiful instrument from 1912 is made with tender hands and wonderful craftsman and it is lasting forever.

[@DerrickBoundsMusic]

You're a wealth of information my friend. There were hundreds of piano manufacturers in Chicago in the early part of 20th century

[@carlatamanczyk3891]

Superb craftsmanship never gets old.

[@SevenPlus65]

Don't be surprised at the beautiful sound that piano makes....Piano makers in 1912 took great pride in their work, they knew what they were doing and wanted it to last for decades and indeed, it has. If only things manufactured today had that quality, we wouldn't be such a throw-away-disposable world.

[@philipcarli3718]

Pre-WWI big American uprights are among the best pianos ever made. They were incredibly well-made and reliable. If they're in good condition they can sound wonderful.

[@danielueblacker9118]

You are talented beyond and also a good human being. God Bless you. Love to hear you play music you love.

[@Featureman]

I worked at Barker Brothers Furniture Store warehouse in Los Angeles from 1958 until 1960. They had a basement room that looked something like your piano room. They had maybe twenty or more pianos in the basement at a time. That is where I took my lunch each day and taught myself to play piano chords. There should be piano rooms available for everyone. The piano is one of the greatest inventions ever. You play very well and you show the beauty, physically and musically of the instrument.

[@nahnope8581]

Alright tom, and look how you play now! Love hearing the origins of your incredible playing

[@wygakyl]

I have a 1916 Raudenbush Parlour Grand, 3rd owner, built in Minneapolis, refurbished it in 1991, it delights me today.

[@CodexHunter-tn1jx]

Hey James, do you or anyone reading this have sheets for the "test" piece at 4:06. Loved it.

[@jonathanchristopher1099]

You are great. I love your enthusiasm for these old pianos. I learned on a piano like this. It had 4 pedals. A Loud, a soft, chimes, and bells.

[@ThePianoforever]

I would have liked to see that one.

[@melaniewolfgang604]

What a treat! Great piece! I appreciate the instruments made long ago and the beauty of them!

[@jimmy_jamesjams_a_lot4171]

Seems like Chicago was at one time not only a haven for musicians, but also a central hub for musical instrument builders and handicrafters who made musical instruments for a living. I THINK Slingerland (old drum company) was also stationed in Chicago. They don’t make drums like Slingerland anymore, and there’s only very few men who know how it was done. THANKS FOR SHARING!

[@tomhalbouty3653]

Excellent video. This illustrates that a 100 year old, well made and maintained piano can play and sound great.

[@charlesbutler4646]

Amazing piano, excellent analysis and profile. The piano is made of tiger grain oak. Very popular medium of the day, and as you can see, it holds up very well.

[@5610winston]

Beautiful instrument. Such a sound! Neglect could not have left it in such outstanding original condition. A neglected piano would have been damaged by insects and rodents and mold and wear and tear, and all the ills that wood is heir to. This one appears to have been carefully preserved, and well loved. But where would a technician have found enough original felts and fabrics and other materials to restore it? This is a treasure!

[@phalinimcleod8819]

Until I met the Yamaha U1, I never knew the center pedal has a function. On every other piano I've ever played, nothing happened when I pressed the center pedal. But on the U1, if you press and move it to the left, it plays VERY softly. It's amazing to me to see the same feature (not as quiet as the U1, but same principle) on this old Walworth. Thank you for this scintillating video.

[@ThePianoforever]

On many pianos the middle pedal does nothing until you hold down some notes and then press down the pedal. Only the notes you pressed down will sustain, and this is called sostenuto. On some other pianos the middle pedal lifts up only the bass half of the dampers.

[@DivineSource444]

Your passion for all things piano is contagious! Great videos! Thank you!

[@shadowjack8]

Nice to see this level of passion for a piano. Makes me appreciate them more than I usually would.

[@johnmosley304]

You are a most delightful and engaging individual. You exude confidence, competence, and a joie de vivre that is genuine and refreshing.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you so very much for your kind words.

[@westinvines9763]

Am I the only musician here that DOESN’T play piano?? I’m just here because I love pianos and love to hear this guy play. Like this comment if we’re in the same boat lol.

[@teresamurray250]

Beautiful piano and the tune you did is lovely!

[@TheCarnivalguy]

M. Schultz made high quality pianos under their name brand, although their Walworth brand was a lesser price alternative for those that were more budget minded. They were both very popular pianos at the turn of the 20th century, and this one sounds beautiful. M. Schultz company was an unfortunate victim of the Great Depression.

[@nancymuller3291]

Thanks for that information.

[@JonesNate]

It's an Upright Grand piano. It's not just a plain Upright piano. Notice how it's taller than the Upright piano next to it. That's why it has such a great sound.

[@earthman6700]

Not a Grand. A Grand piano has a different design of Action (the hammers and dampers), a Grand can do repetitive notes more efficiently.

[@oldtimeway1]

Yes, it is and Upright Grand. We had a Beckwith Upright Grand which my folks bought from a one room school when it closed in 1970 for sixteen bucks. We grew up playing that piano it was a fantastic piano and I would give my eye teeth if my folks would have let me know they were throwing it out when we left home.

[@heyitsthatoneguy91]

Cabinet grand*

[@froter1]

Nate Jones I agree ☝️

[@bricology]

Yup. I had a Steinway "VertiGrand" from 1914, and its tone was just as good as any horizontal Steinway grand I've played. Yes, the action was slightly slower, but given that its footprint was about 1/4 that of a horizontal grand, and it cost a fraction as much, that was a small price to pay.

[@Em-wb4kf]

I sent this video on to my son in Mexico who now has my old upright grand piano that we got that was made in Montreal around the turn of the 20th Century, too. It is very similar to the one in this video. I just wish it were restored like the one in the video. Maybe some day. Thanks for making the video.

[@davidplatt5957]

Your enthusiasm is so much fun... along with your talent 😃Luv it, thank you.

[@ThePianoforever]

It's just so much fun doing what I do!

[@duanekennard3298]

Very cool.My grandfather self taught himself in everything he did in life which included : Playing the Piano..Organ..Violin just to name a few. He tried many times to teach me how to play when I was a young boy but I wasn't interested. How I would give to be able to go back in time. Awesome video !

[@ThePianoforever]

You can always learn to play the piano, maybe not as a concert pianist, but for sure for your own enjoyment. Music is a great form of enjoyment for many, and I would encourage you to start having fun with the piano. If you just get a adult book and give it a try once a day with no expectations, I believe not only would you start to have fun, but also see improvements over time.

[@duanekennard3298]

@@ThePianoforever Maybe one day I shall give it a try. Appreciate the information

[@terrymckay9776]

My folks had an old player piano they turned into a regular piano. It played and sounded great for many years. Great presentation sir.... Enjoyed your playing as well. This world needs your generation to keep this instrument alive. Thanks

[@UN33kWabb1T]

My mom had a Walworth when I was in elementary school. I'm in my 60's now but I remember that piano so well. I wish I had it today.

[@SuperMatt2112]

Awesome piano, and I love your passion for your craft, it shines though so well, keep that and thanks for sharing this oldie with us

[@Native_love]

BEATIFUL!

[@tracy-dg3qq]

U bring that beautiful piano to life just by the way u talk about It amazing young man

[@cjacob9875]

Quality of craftsmanship and pride of doing your best work!!! That's how it sounds so good!

[@joelmay9626]

Great. The very best.

[@jhowe5571]

As someone who has done some restoration work on a piano before, and having seen some of it done, there is a lot that goes into it. There's felt in many different places that's likely to get replaced. Under the keys, on the ends of the risers, on the ends of levers, dampers, keypins etc... Even the hammers themselves are often replaced because, they are beaten and worn out. The front panel that moves in and out, respective to the opening of the keys cover, is used to put sheet music on it so, the player of the piano can read and play it. Yes, it does effect the sound to some degree, as well. The harp on the piano is the main component to making and transferring sound to the case and this one was casts very well. One of the reasons these pianos sounded so nice is due to their size. As with grande pianos that have a richer sound and are louder, the longer they are, uprights are the same, the taller they are. More mass, more resonate vibrations. Compare this one to a tiny spinet piano and you would hear a big difference.

[@judithhand4987]

I'm so used to piano videos from England and France. Awright! to find this, and I'll subscribe. Many thanks. Already sent a copy to my brother in ND. Dad was the big piano player in my family (he was born a year after that piano) and all of us were able to do some. Tx for this!!!

[@sk22ng]

You are truly a talented player. Please keep sharing your gift with the rest of the world. Hope you get a lotta hits.

[@HeatherSpoonheim]

I was not expecting that voice. Amazing.

[@brandonburrell8517]

Gorgeous piano. Thank you for this video. God bless you.

[@MarkMaysey]

Beautiful sounding piano and I love your enthusiasm for explaining the craftsmanship and originality of this beautiful instrument. Thumbs up here, I really enjoyed it.

[@catherinenelson4162]

Me too!

[@frequencyfluxfandango8504]

The craftsmanship and the design of this piano are pretty amazing. It is some work of ART, and yet I have never even heard of the makers. I Love it ! What's amazing, is they're now gone forever..despite building these ! Very interesting, Thanks

[@neilhuston5579]

I actually just picked up one of these for free! It's exactly the same piano, same embossment on the inside, same woodwork embossment on the lid, it's been re stained and keys replaced with japanese spruce, regularly tuned and maintained its whole life, most of the strings are original!

[@USNAVDC]

I love hearing you demo all of those pianos! Great videos!

[@skillsawbeachwalker6222]

I Have a Bell upright grand from 1908, and a Heinztman upright grand from 1900, these two amazing Canadian pianos are original and work perfectly! The Bell is insane it has a second cast iron frame plate sandwiching the sound board!

[@utubewillyman]

Someone very carefully chose every piece of wood on that piano, using the "ray flake" cuts of the oak (the most desirable parts). Even if there was no hardware inside, it would be a beautiful piece of furniture.

[@ousarlxsfjsbvbg8588]

utubewillyman it looks like an expensive piano

[@crisprtalk6963]

it is quarter sawn.

[@rikkey3k]

What a wonderful instrument. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@kathykapsner3897]

OMG! I had this exact piano growing up. I LOVED it! Mine is a bit tinnier due to heavy use as it was a piano teacher’s piano before my parents bought it. (When I was a baby--1962ish). Now I am the teacher and my 1 adult beginner student now has the Walworth😊😊🎶🎶🎹🎹

[@lindawright6238]

Beautiful piano enhanced by a truly gifted pianist. Thank you.

[@kellyheppleston7157]

You are a genius at explaining the piano. Now I will look for you playing the piano. I want to find the the same genius. Thank you soo much James.

[@creativeconjurings]

I have a 1903 Bush & Gertz It has seen some minor abuse in its time, my guess is, at the hands of children. It's missing some ivory bits and has a few deep scratches on the facade, but otherwise plays well. C7 is in need of repair and the strings are a bit brittle but we had it tuned and it plays beautifully. I'm so glad you did this video because when we got the piano it came with a strange piece of metal that we haven't been able to figure out where it came from or what it could have been for. After watching your video, I realized it's the prop arm for the front panel! I'm so excited that I now know what to do with this odd piece of bent metal. The piano also has a movable handle under the keyboard that does nothing at the moment. Finding out about that auto open-close feature of the swing arm, I'm guessing once I repair it that the handle underneath will be a manual release for the swing arm. Now I need to see if I can properly reattach it / repair it. Thanks for the video!

[@stevenhickenjr]

Absolutely beautiful sound! Great playing.

[@crestsofeurope1621]

That sounds absolutely beautiful.

[@ThePianoforever]

Thank you very much!

[@MsKitty-st1yv]

I love it. So glad he appreciated that. My Mother brought home a player piano and a mahoghany piano and I appreciated both. JudyK/Davenport, Iowa

[@sambolino44]

I just love this dude's enthusiasm! Plus, he can really play!

[@steve154life]

Beautiful instrument and a wonderful song

[@ZZmsz]

and the music is very nice.

[@vinceatkinson7237]

That is crazy! It sounds great. I thought it would sound like a saloon piano, but I could not have been more wrong. It sounds better than my baby grand.

[@michaelandcarolblackburn103]

Wow, I love how great that sounds. I am in love with these older pianos. Thanks James. Regards, Carol

[@scottpreston5074]

As time goes by the wood becomes more resonant. True of violins and guitars.

[@jonnyfrench19]

Plus it's very recently tuned.

[@collectorofcats294]

It’s GORGEOUS!!! Why do people think that older instruments are junk? There are Stradivari violins, vintage flutes, etc... these beautiful old instruments can be just as wonderful as the newer, “cutting edge technology” instruments!!! I bought a “new” open hole flute and it is garbage!!! Gorgeous piano, and it’s awesome to see members younger generations having appreciation for classical music and beautiful instruments!!!

[@billbremmerrpt4382]

It looks like only the bridle straps have been replaced. What a gem!

[@gabrielengle8710]

There is a piano just like that at my church I need to check it out!!!

[@mikehanks1399]

Wow, I thought I was the only one in the world who has a thing for piano logos. Mason & Hamlin and Bosendorfer are two of my favorites. Loved your original test piece, too bad we couldn't hear more. Quite a beautiful sounding piano with the looks to match. Impressive workmanship from an era we will never see again. Thanks so much.

[@gbrownstone]

Beautiful sound !

[@hotgaard]

You are a remarkably talented and exuberant young man. I love your presentations.

[@Nightyyou]

Beautiful inside and out :-)

[@dadautube]

very rare find indeed ... very well made and surely very well kept and cared for as well or it wouldn't be THIS good after nearly a century! you play very nicely too btw!

[@gbantock]

Wow! That piano has a wonderfully sweet tone. Very desirable!

[@adalb137]

I believe this is what is known as an 'Upright Grand'. Notice that the instrument is taller than typical uprights. The one in the shop to the left is a little more typical. I have a 1917 Phillips & Crew (Atlanta, GA) Upright Grand that has a wonderful deep and rich tone similar to this piano. Also, the front panel pops open not only for sound, but so the music can rest on the stand. Otherwise, it would fall forward. Thanks for sharing!

[@PrairieDancerRose]

That piano has a very sweet sound. As to age, it was made my hand, with love, and kept in shape, sounds better than machine-made.pianos. As being so much more beautiful! Sharp and mellow sounds. Thank-you

[@mmartin7483]

Style and action of this piano, plus tone, sounds just like mine. J.C. FISCHER 1904. My practice bar, iS metal with silver- plate with ornate etching... it was painted white when I found it in. Had it restore, and could not believe what we discovered. Over it's lifetime, it was painted gold and then black. My professional restorer in Gwinnett Co. GA did a wonderful job. It turned out to be the most beautiful ROSE Wood and looks stunning today. He said it was an upright grand. Its with my daughter who lives in house that was built in 1894, 12 foot ceiling and orginal wide plank flooring. When played, it resonates through the entire house. Just wonderful! The tops of the notes were also replaced. Fortunately we could keep the front ivories. We also discovered, some of the last keys in the treble cleft were signed beneath the keys. It's my pride and joy! In those days they built pianos, like they did violins .. improves with age !

[@mercedeshendrickson8840]

Thank You much for showing us all about the piano, I never knew anything about how they run, I've seen old ones like that at Churches through out the years. You play lovely, thanks for this video, Be blessed...

[@5610winston]

I forget the manufacturer and never knew the date of build, but there was a tall upright in my grandparents' house in Enterprise, Mississippi, way back when. My Mom talked about playing it when her older sister got married in 1947. I remember that the humidity of Mississippi summers in the Chickasawhay valley took its toll on the action, but the last I herd, that piano is still in the family.

[@5610winston]

Come to think of it, Grandma's upright was painted black, and the paint had developed a crazing in the finish. Could this Walworth have once been painted and later stripped of its original finish? No, that doesn't make sense with the original decal on the key cover, and there appears to be no evidence of such mayhem.

[@joshuaweasenforth7757]

Wow. How phenomenal. Great insight & share.

[@lechat8736]

Really amazing and with that I mean the beautiful state the piano is in, its clever design, the sound of it, your playing and your enthusiasm :))) I would expect the hammers to have more patina after 100 years, because of the light would. Thanks a lot for sharing :)))

[@lechat8736]

Sorry! I meant "the light wood" . of course - LOL

[@prebooomer]

Love your enthusiasm! I found and restored an 1875 vintage Story & Clark Saloon piano with the Banjo attachment and two bar dampers and a bell board for the high note strings, sounds just like Westworld, I play Boogie Woogie on it, and the sound is fantastic!! just like the old west slammed into the modern 1920's !! I enjoy my S & C just like you obviously love the old pianos you show on YT.

[@watrgrl2]

Just found you! Liked and subscribed ! I bought an old Ivers and Pond console piano for $100 and it has really good sound.

[@topturretgunner]

Are you kidding me??? That piano sounds beautiful! Especially for its age. Good and careful voicing and its great.

[@richardmcleod5967]

Time also forgot the 1876 Centennial Steinway Piano given to the United States by Steinway for its' 100th birthday in 1876. The Piano was eventually found at the Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside, California as with the restoration of the Hotel in 1987 and forward, the decision was made to also restore the Grand Steinway which had been located in the Hotel for years, its' background at the time unknown. When the Piano was sent back to Steinway for a restoration, the numbers revealed this to be the lost Piano from 1876 which at that time had toured the Nation in honor of the 100th Birthday of the United States. Finally after all those years this Piano was thought to be lost, it was found to have been at the Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside, California and can be seen (and on occasions Concerts are given in conjunction with the original 1900 Pipe Organ located in the Music Room of the Hotel) in the Lobby of the Hotel..

[@nihow1101]

I wonder who it was that showed so little appreciation as to make the decision for it to leave the white house. Technically, It is still our property. Well at least it can be enjoyed by all who care to admire it. Thanks for the education!

[@SONGSTICKS]

Beautifully Mellow sounding Piano... Love that !!

[@Zany4God]

Good job. Brought back memories of the upright we owned when we lived in Nebraska.

[@eaccristo]

It was loved and cared for..beautiful

[@pamelawherey4583]

Beautiful🌸💐🌸

[@phspalace1021]

Nice piano, sounds Great.

[@sugarpacketchad]

I didn't expect that sound when you started playing it!!! Excellent!

[@happydays8171]

I wanted him to go off into a musical piece so I could experience more of its sound!

[@charlottemace1810]

I AM IMPRESSED BY THE PIANO AND YOUR PLAYING AS WELL.

[@pathegarty4757]

Great sound!🤗🇺🇸🇬🇧

[@stephenallen1149]

Sounds great

[@bubbayesmar]

Just a side technical note about the front panel, if you notice the scroll work cascades over both sides of the front plate and that there is a small trough or grove along the bottom edge !! When the mechanism kicks the panel out it is at the correct angle to hold your sheet music open in the middle of the scroll work which in turn highlights the sheet music !!!

[@rrjjgg101]

Very good sound & Excellent Playing... I appreciate all you hard work.. Thank-you.. Now waiting for another video.. Rj from INDIA

[@ThePianoforever]

Rj, Thank you for visiting my channel.

[@ZZmsz]

Just an amazing, gorgeous piano. I wish i have one....

[@moodymomma7876]

Enjoyed it thoroughly!!

[@TheMikester307]

My College had one (in the early 80s) and I used to plunk around on it & write songs & have a grand old time! Fun!

[@WashedUpSpearfish]

Does anyone know what piece he's playing starting at 4:07?? I'd really appreciate it thanks!

[@ThePianoforever]

It's a test piece I wrote for the piano. Doesn't really have a name yet, I need to expand on it and make it a real song!

[@tomreynolds9078]

Great story my friend!! And the piano sounds fantastic!!

[@diane4537]

My husband and I owned a refinishing business in the late 70's and we were called to refinish a piano like this one. Only the owners wanted a more reddish tinge to it. They were shocked to see the old piano refinished! They could not get over how wonderful the old heap looked!

[@robertl.fallin7062]

Thank you young Sir A well played , well made beauty!