Need Help With Price Of Piano

[AR Cattails]

I have a Jonas-Chickering upright piano that my ex-husband bought me for Christmas about 25 years ago. He paid about $2,100 for it.

I've kept it all these years because I always wanted to be able to play it again one day. But it needs a tune-up and has keys that are broken (they stay down when you play them). I don't have and will never have again any money to have my piano repaired. Since I could really use the money, I have decided to sell it. But I have no idea what it is worth. Oh, it's also scratched up here and there on the piano.

Does anyone here know anything about the value of pianos? Or a link to somewhere where I could find out. I want to put an ad in the paper but have no idea what to ask for it.

[SunsetSonata]

Uprights in general are a dime a dozen. If in good shape, it might, MIGHT go for $500... broken though, you'll be lucky to give it away for someone else to repair and enjoy.

That's just a general statement though. I don't know much about your kind of piano. I do have my own broken upright that was created during "the golden age of pianos" which is supposed to be more valuable. No way would I get any money for it.

Maybe this website will help you price it. Helps to know the age.

http://classifieds01.pianobuyandsell...lassifieds.cgi

[Jolly]

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbt...m_summary.html

Just post your question there, and you should receive multiple replies.

[AR Cattails]

I looked at the links and best I can tell is I would likely come pretty close to just giving it away. I guess I will just go ahead and keep it and hope to one day come into some money to get it fixed up and play it myself. That is what I truly wish I could do.

Thank you both for the links.

[Windy in Kansas]

If the piano has actual ivory keys they may be worth more than the entire piano. Scrimshaw makers use the ivory, or you could learn to do it yourself if you have artistic talent.

Really old pianos have some cast iron to them and the bass strings are often copper wire wound. HOWEVER a big warning--you must learn how to take one apart so that it doesn't break/explode and injure you or someone else. Lots and lots of sting wound tension.

Sound like you have some broken bridal straps.

[AR Cattails]

Originally Posted by Windy in Kansas

If the piano has actual ivory keys they may be worth more than the entire piano. Scrimshaw makers use the ivory, or you could learn to do it yourself if you have artistic talent.

Really old pianos have some cast iron to them and the bass strings are often copper wire wound. HOWEVER a big warning--you must learn how to take one apart so that it doesn't break/explode and injure you or someone else. Lots and lots of sting wound tension.

Sound like you have some broken bridal straps.

Thank you for that information. I never thought along that route. I'd have to find someone around here who has some experience with pianos to help me out there. Sure wouldn't want to do it because I would more than likely hurt myself. They may be the best route to go. Thanks a bunch.

[jamala]

We just purchased an old upright for $500. It was completely re-done 2 years ago, all new strings/wires etc. When we opened it up to look inside we found dates of tunings written on the inside dating back to 1927--very cool!! And it plays great, no sticking keys. The piano repairman we consulted said we got a great deal.

[AR Cattails]

Originally Posted by jamala

We just purchased an old upright for $500. It was completely re-done 2 years ago, all new strings/wires etc. When we opened it up to look inside we found dates of tunings written on the inside dating back to 1927--very cool!! And it plays great, no sticking keys. The piano repairman we consulted said we got a great deal.

That sounds like a really great deal! I'm happy for you.

[HOTW]

sometimes you cna come acrosss piano maintenance books we have one for the plasyer piano it basically tells you how to fix the player! One day I hope to have the time to restore the one we have.

[Loriann1971]

Chickering pianos have a lot of value when they are restored. They have a real following with collectors. I prefer older pianos. They have a heft that the new ones don't and remind me of the piano I grew up on.

When we went shopping for a piano last year, we found a guy here in Pittsburgh that buys old piano's and restores them. We bought a Chickering for $1400. He had some that he was selling for 5-10 thousand. If it is a true Jonas Chickering, depending on the age, it could be worth something. The key is to find someone that restores pianos and sells them. While condition matters in the price you will get, a Chickering piano has value even if it needs to be restored. Do some research...there are people that collect Chickering Pianos.

Here is some info about Chickering and Sons. http://antiquepianoshop.com/online-m...ickering-sons/

Our piano has the tuning dates penciled in too. I think that is so cool.
Here is a picture of ours.

[SunsetSonata]

That is a GORGEOUS piano Loriann! Love the graining on it!

The OP says she has no money for repair, BUT, why not keep the piano in case that changes some day. That's the problem with older, broken pianos, and why there is a glut in the market. The cost to restore an old piano is usually much, much more than it costs to get an old working piano. A complete restoration runs into the thousands, though this might not be what this particular piano requires. I'll bet it could be a few hundred though, especially with dings that need to be addressed for prime value.

I have a 1904 Jewett with ivory that clearly came from different elephants, one of which obviously had a bad tooth, LOL It has a deep, rich, honkey-tonk sort-of sound to it, but now needs a new "backing board" or whatever the strings are attached to (no longer holds the tuning, holes expanded too much). Took me years to find another piano I could afford that had that same deep rich tone. I'd like to turn the old piano into some sort of cabinet some day.