Buying a 2nd hand piano - what are they worth?
Discussion
Colleague at work has an upright piano for sale and just wondered what (very roughly) they are worth.
It's a "Brasted" upright....thus
A figure of £100 has been mentioned, includes a seat also.
Suppose if it sounds OK and looks Ok then that's probably a good deal non?
Discuss.....
also posted in music but a tad quiet in there - please don't move this mods
It's a "Brasted" upright....thus
A figure of £100 has been mentioned, includes a seat also.
Suppose if it sounds OK and looks Ok then that's probably a good deal non?
Discuss.....
also posted in music but a tad quiet in there - please don't move this mods
Superficially at least, it looks well looked after. Of course, that doesn't tell you a great deal, as it may have been in a damp/smoky/dry/cold/hot/all of the above environment and the mechanical parts may be wrecked. Play every note from the bottom of the keyboard to the top, including the black ones.
You're checking to see that each key works, and that there are no odd noises, like vibrations etc.
If you can, whip the top, upper and lower covers off, they just unclip from the inside, it's easy. I'd expect the inside to be dusty, but all there. Any broken or missing hammers will be obvious. Edit to add: If you do get the covers off, have a look at the strings, are they all parallel to each other, or are a bunch of the strings laid diagonally across the others? This isn't a fault, it's how they're made, either Straight Strung, or Over Strung. Overstrung being the diagonally strung version, which many people prefer.
Press the right hand pedal and play a note, or several, and release, but keeping your foot on the pedal. The note should remain playing (sustained) for a little while. Releasing the pedal should kill the note straight away.
The left pedal should make it a little quieter, but you may not notice this, unless you're experienced, in which case, you'd know what to look for anyway, tonally etc, I'd hope.
In terms of its sound, some pianos are bright, others mellow, who knows what this one sounds like. I doubt it'll be worrying any Steinways, but that's nothing to worry about, unless you're a virtuoso, as long as it all works and sounds alright to you, I'd say that's enough.
Anyway, £100 sounds like a bit of a bargain to me.
You're checking to see that each key works, and that there are no odd noises, like vibrations etc.
If you can, whip the top, upper and lower covers off, they just unclip from the inside, it's easy. I'd expect the inside to be dusty, but all there. Any broken or missing hammers will be obvious. Edit to add: If you do get the covers off, have a look at the strings, are they all parallel to each other, or are a bunch of the strings laid diagonally across the others? This isn't a fault, it's how they're made, either Straight Strung, or Over Strung. Overstrung being the diagonally strung version, which many people prefer.
Press the right hand pedal and play a note, or several, and release, but keeping your foot on the pedal. The note should remain playing (sustained) for a little while. Releasing the pedal should kill the note straight away.
The left pedal should make it a little quieter, but you may not notice this, unless you're experienced, in which case, you'd know what to look for anyway, tonally etc, I'd hope.
In terms of its sound, some pianos are bright, others mellow, who knows what this one sounds like. I doubt it'll be worrying any Steinways, but that's nothing to worry about, unless you're a virtuoso, as long as it all works and sounds alright to you, I'd say that's enough.
Anyway, £100 sounds like a bit of a bargain to me.
Edited by Super Slo Mo on Friday 7th January 18:36
Don't underestimate the moving part - pianos are heavy and you can do yourself and it a lot of damage.
If you are looking to get it to play, then definitely get a piano tuner to take a look - pianos differ quite a lot in how they are built and it makes a big difference. In addition, you need to know if the soundboard is still in good condition. If it is knackered, then it won't hold its tune and is effectively useless.
If you are looking to get it to play, then definitely get a piano tuner to take a look - pianos differ quite a lot in how they are built and it makes a big difference. In addition, you need to know if the soundboard is still in good condition. If it is knackered, then it won't hold its tune and is effectively useless.
Don't use these guys either...
http://ifail.info/concert-grand-piano-moving-fail/
Oh, you'll find most people give away pianos on Freecycle and Freegle.
http://ifail.info/concert-grand-piano-moving-fail/
Oh, you'll find most people give away pianos on Freecycle and Freegle.
NiceCupOfTea said:
Once it's been moved give it a few weeks before you tune it. Do you know anybody who plays who can give it a tinkle for you?
Yup, my dad makes a living playing a piano! He's the resident peeenist for norhtern ballet school dontcha know.He's gonna give it a good bashing and we'll see how it sounds.
Thanks for the info chaps, I just hope it'll go in back of me volvo.
dave_s13 said:
NiceCupOfTea said:
Once it's been moved give it a few weeks before you tune it. Do you know anybody who plays who can give it a tinkle for you?
Yup, my dad makes a living playing a piano! He's the resident peeenist for norhtern ballet school dontcha know.He's gonna give it a good bashing and we'll see how it sounds.
Thanks for the info chaps, I just hope it'll go in back of me volvo.
B) I'm pretty sure that it's not going in a Volvo anyway
C) I would hate to have to lay it down and pick it up. They are seriously heavy.
White van man or self drive - with a tail lift. Last time my parents moved, the van man they used had brought forward fitting the tail lift, having had experience with the beast...
Funnily enough gents, it depends on the piano. Some are s
te, some are fantastic. Just because you have seen them going for a tenner on ebay doesn't mean they are all worthless.
My dad sold his 70s Knight a few years back and replaced it with a digital piano. I was gutted. The Knight was a beautiful instrument to play, I learned on it myself, lovely sound, great feel. I have still not played a digital piano that sounds or feels like a proper piano
te, some are fantastic. Just because you have seen them going for a tenner on ebay doesn't mean they are all worthless.My dad sold his 70s Knight a few years back and replaced it with a digital piano. I was gutted. The Knight was a beautiful instrument to play, I learned on it myself, lovely sound, great feel. I have still not played a digital piano that sounds or feels like a proper piano
That Laurel and Hardy has me in stitches 
As long as it will stay in tune and all the notes work £100 inc the stool is ok. We charge £150 to remove and dispose of pianos ( smash then up and skip them) . Old pianos are worthless as new pianos cost so little.
No closer than 5 feet from a radiator, away from a window and on a internal wall if pos. Leave for 4 weeks in your house before tuning. If you are paying for the moving then get a tuner to check it over before moving it. We charge £35 for that in our local area. If its duff youve saved the piano cost £100, plus the move £100, plus the £50 charge as the tuner tries to tune it plus the £150 charge to get it skipped .
My 2nd tuning customer today got told her piano was dead due to the high heating in home with the snow etc. She wont be the last over the next 2 months.
www.warnerpianos.co.uk
No closer than 5 feet from a radiator, away from a window and on a internal wall if pos. Leave for 4 weeks in your house before tuning. If you are paying for the moving then get a tuner to check it over before moving it. We charge £35 for that in our local area. If its duff youve saved the piano cost £100, plus the move £100, plus the £50 charge as the tuner tries to tune it plus the £150 charge to get it skipped .
My 2nd tuning customer today got told her piano was dead due to the high heating in home with the snow etc. She wont be the last over the next 2 months.
www.warnerpianos.co.uk
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