Pianoteq has opened my eyes to many piano brands of which I did not previously know. In talking about some of them, I learned that I have a friend in Cincinnati who is selling her house as well as an 1860s-vintage Pleyel 7' grand. She originally bought the piano in California as an antique for display, at an auction where the prior owners had gotten it from Europe. It has 85 keys on a keyboard 45-7/8 inches instead of what I believe to be the current 46-1/2 inches wide for that size (from measuring 85 keys on my piano). It is straight-strung, unlike post-1870s 'modern' pianos as started by Steinway with overstrung designs. It must have had termites at some time in its 160-year past, but I saw no frass nor other signs of current activity. It has not been played in at least two decades, and will need new strings, a pedal rebuild, cosmetic case work, and a new pinblock (unless you don't mind the termite holes and you just treat with a new soak with termiticide). The action seems reasonable, but understand that replacement parts, when needed, will likely have to be custom-made. The soundboard has a couple of fixable cracks, and I can't say whether it's lost its crown or not.https://photos.app.goo.gl/AuTjH2GfzlxL60EP2
Certainly an unusual piano in today's world. If anyone is interested, I will put you in-touch with my friend.
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