-- non-subscriber, please reply to sender and MMD --

I own a Cincinnati-made Ebersole player piano.  Actually, I'm in the
slow process of restoring the player action for the piano.

The Ebersole model, manufactured by Butler Brothers, is a basic generic
piano, and it uses a Standard Pneumatic action, but that is unrelated
to my issue.  The fallboard says Ebersole, but the serial number of the
piano does not match any listing in Pierce Piano Atlas.  The serial
number is six digits, but Pierce lists serial numbers for Ebersole that
are only five digits.

I've been wondering lately if the fallboard in the piano was the actual
piano fallboard, even though its assembly fits and works over the keys.
Is there any way to find a manufacturer and date solely by the serial
number?

Also, the fallboard assembly is the goofiest I have ever seen, assuming
I have it assembled correctly.  Normally you lift the fallboard and it
hinges backward to reveal the keys.  In this one, you lift the front of
the fallboard and the rear of the fallboard actually lifts backward to
move back off the keys.  Actually, it's a little hard to describe in
print.

When I showed this to an uncle of mine who plays piano, he said,
"That's just not right!"  Also, my piano is missing the piece (I think
it's called the key rail, but I'm not sure) that the fallboard would
rest on -- it's the long thin piece of wood that connects the left side
of the rear of the keys to the right side.  I've seen hinges on other
pianos.  Would anybody know where I can find a replacement?  Does
anybody own an Ebersole and know what the heck I'm talking about?

Thanks!

Allen Singer
Cincinnati OH