What is the best way to sell a used piano?
There are several ways to go about selling a piano, but in my experience some approaches yield better results than others. You may have already considered online classifieds like Craigslist, Offer Up, Facebook Marketplace or the possibility of consigning or selling to a piano store.
What do you do with an old piano?
One way to dispose of an old piano is to donate it. However, the size of your piano and the condition that it is in plays a large role in whether or not an organizations will accept your donation. There are many places that accept piano donations, including: Nonprofit organizations.
Are old pianos worth anything?
Like antique books, antique pianos are not worth a lot of money just because they are old. In actuality these old instruments may be worth very little at all. Most antique, upright pianos are worth $500 or less in very good condition. This is because a piano is actually a machine.
Are old player pianos worth anything?
The Average Value of a regular, unrestored Upright Player Piano varies from about $200-$2000, depending on the type/quality of the cabinet and the reputation of the manufacture. Non-name brand units with all straight lines are the most common and the least valuable.
Are the ivory keys on a piano worth anything?
Indeed, ivory is illegal to buy and sell in most places today. Since ivory is scarce, it makes sense to think that they have some value if in good condition. Sadly, this is far from the case.
How much does a self playing piano cost?
It costs $99,300 for the 5-foot-7-inch-long, 560-pound Model M Spirio and $133,800 for the 6-foot-10.5-inch, 760-pound Model B Spirio. The piano is a far cry from the days when Rachmaninoff and Stravinsky tickled the ivories.
Do pianos last forever?
The average mass produced piano lasts 30 years. Hand-crafted pianos last substantially longer, often exceeding 50 years. Over time, the piano will need regular tuning, regulation, rebuilding, and other maintenance. A well-maintained piano can last in excess of 100 years.
How much does it cost to replace hammers on a piano?
If all the hammers need to be replaced, the cost is $1000 dollars. It usually takes several weeks to replace hammers as each hammer is taken out of the action and is handled separately.
How long do piano hammers last?
40-50 years
How often should a piano be restrung?
every six months
Can a piano become Untunable?
It happens. If your piano is old, was poorly manufactured, neglected, or some combination of the three, your piano might be untunable. This is most often a repairable problem. If our technician has deemed your piano to be untunable, we will follow up with a written estimate for repair.
How much does it cost to replace a string on a piano?
To restring an entire piano it will cost $1,000 to $10,000 + dollars. An upright might cost $2000 to $4000 to restring, while a baby grand or grand might cost $4000-$10,000. If only certain sections of strings are damaged, then you might not need to restring the whole piano.
Can piano string kill you?
Absolutely. You could kill someone with piano wire, and it has been historically done. For example, one of the July 20 Plot conspirators was hanged with piano wire. People always die so fast in movies when stabbed in the belly.
Should I tip a piano tuner?
No, it is not the custom to tip the piano tuner.
What causes piano strings to break?
Piano strings break for many reasons. Mostly because of too much friction at the bearing points, those points being the tuning pin becket, or the agraffe/pressure bar area. Not very often will a string break at the tied end of the plate hitch pin.
Are piano strings dangerous?
Re: Are old piano strings dangerous? A piano string stretches very little as tension is applied to it. This means that there is very little energy stored in the string and there would be little or no danger when that energy is released if it were to break.
Do piano strings break?
Yes, piano strings can break. Defects, wear and tear, and playing the piano too aggressively can all contribute to broken strings. There are all kinds of reasons why a piano string can break.
What is piano wire used for?
It’s used to make such things as fishing lures, orthodontic braces, cheese cutters, and even the wires attached to actors to make them look like they are flying.
Are pianos hard to sell?
But, unfortunately, there are some pianos that are hard to find buyers for in the current piano marketplace. Apart from a few exceptions, most spinets, older upright pianos, and roll-style player pianos can be difficult to sell.
Are free pianos worth it?
The truth is that almost all pianos that are given away for free are not worth the cost of having it moved into your home. As always with taking on any used piano, it is advisable to bring in a piano technician to determine the condition of the piano before to decide to take it home.
What can I do with an old piano?
Check out these 15 gorgeous upcycling projects that will preserve at least part of your old piano and help you create a gorgeously musical aspect to your space!
- Piano tool bench.
- Piano mini bar.
- Piano front desk.
- Piano computer desk.
- Standing piano head board.
- Grand piano planter.
- Glass covered piano key coffee table.
Who will pick up old pianos?
Here are a few options that may be available for your piano donation:
- The Beethoven Foundation accepts piano donations depending on condition of the piano. If your donation is accepted, they pick up your piano for free.
- Pianos for Education will pick up a piano in all 50 states for free.
- Check your local options.
Is it legal to sell a piano with ivory keys?
They are brittle and prone to uneven discoloration. Many tuners, technicians and stores also have an overabundance of ivory key-tops available to them from old used pianos (many times the piano even disposed or given away for free, with the ivories intact). And on top of all this, ivory is illegal to sell or trade.
When did pianos stop using ivory?
The American piano industry voluntarily abandoned ivory as a key-covering material and switched to plastic in the mid-1950s. By the 1980s, European makers had taken the same path.
What is the most expensive piano in the world?
Steinway Alma Tadema
Does real ivory turn yellow?
Ivory is wonderful material for antique pieces although it quickly absorbs moisture making it require special care. With time, ivory darkens or turns yellow developing a patina coloring surface. This color change indicates ivory age with a subsequent effect on value.
How much does it cost to have a piano removed?
Piano removal and delivery costs $8 to $15 per hour per person or a flat rate between $100 to $2,000 based on the size and weight of your instrument. As the weight and dimensions increase, so does the labor and price of delivery. Professional piano movers can bill you by the hour or a flat rate.
Where can I get rid of an old piano?
Check to see if your local trash or junk removal service, charities, and recycling facility accepts pianos or offers piano disposal service. Schedule a pickup time with piano movers. Clear a path for the piano movers to carry the instrument through.
Do I tip piano movers?
Piano moving companies often stress that tipping is entirely optional and up to the discretion of the customer. However, tipping between $20 and $40 is a suitable range if you’re pleased with the care shown by the movers.
Is there a blue book for pianos?
The Bluebook of Pianos is an invaluable handbook for anyone who owns or plans to buy a piano. After an illustrated discussion of piano structure that explains the workings of both grand and upright pianos, the book gives careful advice for purchasing a new or used piano.
How long should a piano stay in tune?
six months
What does a piano serial number tell you?
Piano serial numbers identify the: Age of your piano, the. Piano’s year of manufacture, as well as. The circumstances surrounding the production of your piano, including factory history, manufacturing processes, and company ownership and oversight.
How much is a 50 year old piano worth?
In the case of Grand Pianos worth rebuilding, the age could be 100 + years, condition will still determine the value….
| Upright Pianos | |
|---|---|
| Years old | Retail |
| Over 50 30-50 20 | $0-$2500 $500-$2000 $3000-$6000 $4000-$8000 |
| Value greatly depends on condition and the make of the piano. | |
How do you restore a piano by yourself?
The Piano Restoration Process
- Disassemble the cabinet and parts.
- Remove the cast iron plate.
- Sand and refinish the bridges and soundboard.
- Strip and sand the cabinet, furniture parts and bench.
- Restore original key covering or replace.
- Finish in the original color and sheen with 22 coats of lacquer.
Are spinet pianos bad?
Spinets are not inherently bad pianos, they are inherently a little different from regular uprights and a little tough to tune.
Why are spinet pianos bad?
A spinet pianos is a style of upright that has a drop-down action. The small soundboards, short strings and compromised action design make spinets terrible pianos for any player. Consequently, you will see a lot of them for sale in classified ads and low quality piano stores.
Do they still make spinet pianos?
Many spinet pianos still exist today, left over from their period of manufacture. The defining characteristic of the spinet was its drop action (sometimes called indirect blow action).
Is Harp harder than piano?
Is harp more difficult than piano? About the same, maybe a little easier. Piano uses all 10 fingers, and harp only uses 8. On piano, you have to understand more theory about when to use the black keys than you do on harp, which uses levers or pedals that often don’t change through an entire song.
Is Baldwin piano still in business?
The Baldwin Piano Company is an American piano brand. It was once the largest US-based manufacturer of keyboard instruments and known by the slogan, “America’s Favorite Piano”. It ceased most domestic production in December 2008, moving its total production to China.
How much is a spinet piano worth?
| Spinet Pianos | |
|---|---|
| Years old | Retail |
| Over 20 | $300-$800 $300-$1000 $500-$1800 $1500-$2000 |
| Value greatly depends on condition and the make of the piano. | |