In the early-to-mid part of the 20th century, the piano was a staple in homes all across the country. It was an instrument, a social tool, and a main source of home entertainment.  During this period in America, manufacturers produced and sold hundreds of thousands of pianos of all varieties. At the time of the original purchase, they were a substantial investment for most, and for decades, many of these pianos sat in the same place as when they were delivered.

Today, many of these old pianos sit in homes all across the country and – considering that the newest of these instruments was produced over 70 years ago –  it’s rare to find one that isn’t in need of extensive restoration work. Unfortunately, unlike a violin or a guitar, most pianos do not get better with age. Pianos are more complicated than string instruments and – through the years – the internal moving parts of a piano will wear out.  Hammer and damper felts become harder causing the piano’s tone to sound thin and bright.  Action parts work lose making the piano feel slow and sluggish.  The keys develop squeaks and clunks, and the strings lose their tonal character. The piano may still function, but it doesn’t “sing” as it once did.

As a result, many piano owners are upgrading their old instruments or getting rid of them altogether.  The question is – are these pianos worth anything?

At one time, there were over 400 piano builders in the US alone.  Now, the vast majority of those old piano manufacturers are long forgotten. Several of them went out of business during The Great Depression, and many more closed during the 1970s as strong competition from foreign manufacturers came pouring into the US market.  Today, there are a myriad of brand names, ages and conditions… and each of those considerations can add to (or take away from) an instrument’s value.  …so how do you know what these old pianos are worth if they are worth anything at all?

measure your pianoThe first step might surprise you.  You need to measure the piano.  If it’s an upright piano (a piano with a vertical-oriented soundboard that usually sits close to a wall), measure the height of the instrument from the floor to the top.  If the piano is taller than 52″ (132cm) tall or shorter than 40″ (102cm), then it has no resale value.  They are no longer produced (meaning any replacement parts would have to be custom crafted at an extremely high price) and any restoration efforts would cost more than the price of a new upright piano.  Unless they have extreme sentimental value or an incredibly beautiful cabinet that can justify the expense, there is no reason to invest in these old models.  People everywhere are trying to give them away every day.  Grand pianos are a different story.  Measure your grand piano in a straight line from the front of the keyboard to the longest point of the tail.  This will be important in determining its value.

grand piano serial numberThe next step will be to document the piano’s brand, model number and serial number.  Any piano professional will require this information to determine its value and to eventually sell the instrument.  If your piano is one of the iconic brands… Yamaha, Steinway, Bosendorfer, etc. – it will have some value to someone.  If not, it still may have some value and more research is necessary.

The final step will be to contact a piano professional (a technician or piano sales company) and arrange to have someone evaluate the instrument for you.  It takes years of experience to determine the piano’s condition and resale value, so it’s important to contact a professional for this process.  If you have a grand piano in good condition or an upright piano between 40 and 52″ tall, your instrument very well may have some value.  …but the amount of money it’s worth will depend on its age, condition and care.  …and it will usually be less than the owner wants for it.  That is why it is so helpful to have someone “in the know” help you decide.

upright piano serial numberIn summary, the valuation of a used piano is difficult.  For every piano there is an “informed value” and an “uninformed value”. The informed value takes into account the local economy, supply and demand, technical quality and cosmetic condition of the piano, whereas the “uninformed value” is based primarily on how the piano looks. Unfortunately, the “uninformed value” is the number most used piano sellers are asking for their pianos. Ultimately, something is worth only as much as someone will pay for it…. so – as you consider buying or selling a used piano – consider all of these things and find a reputable piano pro to help you make your decision.

Of course, if you’re shopping for a used piano, the best place to get one is at Riverton.  We have professional piano technicians evaluate all of our used pianos and we back each one with our exclusive two-year warranty.  You deserve the peace of mind you can only get when you have a family-owned and operated business like ours backing your musical investment.  …and – if you want to sell your piano – we invite you to contact us as well.  Whatever your piano needs, our experienced staff and network of piano pros will help you get the most out of your investment.

Thanks for taking the time to read this blog.  Leave any comments or questions you have below and I’ll do my best to get you some answers.  I love talking about pianos and I look forward to talking with you!