Paul Roberts, one of our PPG members, has asked me to post something
about a rare 1916 Broadwood Barless Solophonola grand which he wishes
to sell.  I suppose this constitutes a sort of advert, but the unusual
details may interest piano connoisseurs.

Ever since I first had a player piano I was looking out for the ne plus
ultra: the big 8' 2" Broadwood Barless Solophonola grand, spoken of but
never actually seen.  Miraculously, a few years back one came my way,
but during my searches in 1983 I found and bought from the estate of a
former UK Chairman of Reuters this beautiful 6' 2" model which I passed
on to Paul a few years back.

This is a genuine enthusiast pianolist's instrument.  Built in May 1916
(information from the Broadwood Archive), it is one of the expensive 5'
7" Steel Barless Quarter Grands in a 6' 2" dark rosewood case, fitted
with the above-the-keys 88-note Solophonola action.  This is rare
indeed: most Broadwood grands this size were fitted with Angelus and
Ampico actions.  Rarer still, it is Broadwood's own very well-engineered
version of the Solophonola, obviously using Hupfeld concepts and parts
but with some clever refinements, and is unnamed, probably because of
anti-German feeling during and after WW1.  I have never seen another
like it.

The double valve action has two-port tracking, adjustable take-up spool
flanges, a transposer, and a sliding curved glass door.  The player
sustaining pedal works pneumatically (and well, because of the adjustable
Hupfeld valvebox design) and -- most important of all -- there are
separate bass and treble accompaniment subduing levers, each operating
its own Solodant regulator (Themodist Pianolas have just one for both
levers), so very finely graduated dynamics and accents are easily
obtained.

The pedal box, enclosed in panels unlike many Angelus models, is
compact because the exhausters and reservoir are sited neatly up
underneath the piano.  The player mechanism has been refurbished with
all pneumatics recovered (the exhausters have been re-proofed), valves
re-set and rubber tubing replaced.  Most of the stack tubing is the
original lead, in very good condition.  It pumps up airtight and is
very efficient and responsive.

The piano has also been extensively refurbished.  The soundboard has
been cleaned and revarnished and is in perfect condition.  The grain,
as in all Broadwoods, is orientated at right angles to the main bridge
axis, rather than parallel as usual, so there is no 'dumb' corner and
it has the forward-protruding extension for the section beyond the
treble dampers for greater area still.  It has a fully-carved bridge
with graduated pins and typically long Broadwood non-speaking lengths
to the strings.

The lovely Barless frame (with its cast Royal Arms) which seems to
float above the soundboard has agraffes throughout, has been repainted
and lacquered in gold as close as possible to the original colour, and
completely restrung with best quality strings, wire and pins.  The pin
block is solid and tight.  There is no apparent 'break' in the compass,
as with all Barless grands.  The action has been completely overhauled
and regulated with new rollers, repetition springs, damper felts and
recentred hammers and whippens.  The keys are all original ivory and
ebony.  It has its original Broadwood single-covered hammers, barely
worn and reshaped, which after some more playing-in will repay careful
voicing to retain the splendid even, progressive Broadwood tone.  As it
is, the piano is amazingly powerful, clear and articulate without any
harshness.

The case has been buffed up but not refinished and needs minor attention.
But it is in good condition for its age, and has delicate, wide double
legs, the typical understated Mackintosh-style music desk and the
unique Broadwood 'disappearing' fall.

As Paul says: "It's a beautiful piano to play by hand or pedal," but
now he needs space for another restoration, and he's very keen that
preferably it should find a home with a pianolist who will use it to
the full and appreciate its rare qualities.  He's asking for offers of
around £3000, and it's located in NW London.

Contact Paul paul-roberts@dsl.pipex.com.geentroep for more details and
pics, including ones taken during restoration.  I can also post or send
pics if anyone wishes.

Patrick Handscombe
Wivenhoe, Essex, UK