Blue book for old pianos

Match the serial number on your piano with a number in the book. If you find our application useful, please support our work with a donation. Chickering was established in 1823 by jonas chickering and james stewart in boston, massachusetts. Pianos are harder to sell than cars fewer people have them, fewer people want them, and determining the actual condition of a piano is a specialty. My friends could have gotten many times that price had they only gotten the instrument appraised by a professional, or at least looked up historical price information in a blue book of pianos. At the turn of the century, kimball built approximately 20,000 pianos annually. Koichi kawai was always mechanically minded, inventing early on in life.

We have compiled all the pricing in the entire piano industry into one simple webpage. Antique pianos, grand pianos, upright pianos, square grands pianos, complex machines with thousands of moving parts, are also works of art. This section lists the average resale prices for used pianos. Piano buyer is a semiannual piano buying guide that will help you make a fast informed decision concerning the purchase of a piano or digital piano. We do accept tradeins, have nationwide pickup available, and will pay top dollar for quality used grand, spinet, console and studio pianos. These models shown here represent more than 98% of that majority. How much is my 35 year old whitney,kimball piano worth. Prices of used pianos vary wildly, depending on local economies, supply and. Piano buyer includes a chart, prices of used pianos, which was compiled after querying a number of piano technicians about their memories of comparable sales of pianos of various ages, sizes, and conditions. See more ideas about old pianos, piano and piano music. But, i did also note that the blue book doesnt list the pianos from the sejung line.

Used piano consumer guides the official bluebook of pianos. Online resources can help sell or donate a piano, or a school or church may take the piano off your hands. If you are an older amateur who just wants to have some fun, there are many. The price and list, at least on the four different makes i looked at, appears to be an exact copy of the 20072008 supplement to the piano book. A medium sized yamaha upright can beat out an old cable nelson grand or full size upright any day. The serial number on the front is 27770 and i cannot find this serial number on any of the blue book sites none seem to list pianos prior to 1900 for behr bros. Used, in excellent condition some are worth more than original price. This book offers an uptodate list of prices of current pianos that are both new and used. The bluebook of pianos the guide to new piano prices. Knowing the fair market value of kawai pianos is useful to sellers, buyers and owners. Your pianos age is one of the most significant factors in determining your pianos value. A front page article in the wsj about steinway piano pricing and the secondary market, featured park avenue pianos as a specialist in the resale market. How old is my behr brothers piano and what might it be worth.

Usage of the terms antique piano and vintage piano is a topic of debate and unclarity in the marketplace. Consult a piano blue book from a library or the internet that lists the serial numbers and the corresponding dates in which the model was manufactured see resources. How to find the month and year a kimball piano was made. Piano buying guide the successor to the piano book piano. A used piano that has been disassembled, inspected, repaired as necessary with replacement of all worn or deteriorated parts, reassembled, tested and approved to at least the tolerances of a new piano of like manufacture is. The problem is most of the time, this is pure guess work. For a time the name was applied to pianos manufactured in korea by samick music corp. Pianos also have numbers other than serial numbers. These price variations are due to several factors in the pianos change of quality, sound and performance from smaller models to larger pianos of the same brand. Kelley blue book new and used car price values, expert.

This chart is most useful for determining the approximate value of many. These blue books will also usually list pricing, rarity and other information on each make and year of a piano. The name is often found on the front of the piano, just above or below the keyboard. The yamaha may also beat out a middle line baldwin grand in tone quality and in holding its tune. Chickering pianos for sale buy a chickering piano at. Park avenue pianos is a leading reseller of steinway pianos, the finest and most timeless piano in the world, and functions as an independent company unrelated to steinway musical. Prices for pianos vary greatly depending upon place, time, and situation. People naturally love the blues sound and it has become a classic. You can look up a free piano serial number history search from this page see list of. It also has pertinent information on piano pricing and discount information.

Now you have access to the complete piano pricing that before was only available to piano dealers. Kimball is a wellknown brand, and several of its antique pianos are considered highly collectible. Many people looking to buy or sell a seek to appraise its value by means of a so called blue book of pianos. Discover your pianos age and country of origin with our 5 star accuracy guide to ensure the quality and. Unlike say, a chippendale writing desk or tiffany lamp, an old piano is usually just that, an old piano. Like antique books, antique pianos are not worth a lot of money just because they are old. Used steinway pianos average 48% of the current msrp prices. 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. The bluebook of pianos is an invaluable handbook for anyone who owns or plans to buy a piano. The interior of the piano as well as the keys have all been refurbished and. Grading old upright pianos vintage piano information guidelines grand piano price comparisons.

Our available chickering pianos include a range of types, costs and conditions. This information can help guide you in making important decisions. How old is my behr brothers piano and what might it be. Both descriptions really refer to the same thing that it is an old piano. It helps to have a trusted pricing source on your side. The value of a specific piano model may be determined on the basis of the price shown.

Cost of a steinway piano price chart and buyers guide written by joshua ross. Most 1 piece fallboard pianos are circa 18751895 and are victorian by nature. Oct 31, 2007 the blue book for pianos is less reliable than the comparable blue book for cars. This is quite evident in situations where a very old piano like a 1920s steinway was kept in great condition, but a more modern instrument like a 1998 steinway wasnt as well cared for. We believe that our work is important for piano owners and lovers. True blue book values are based on how much something like a car is sold for. Once youve collected all the necessary info, you can get a dollar amount. It gives complete, practical guidelines that explains the workings of both grand and upright pianos. Since there is no used piano price directory or blue book as there is for other merchandise, like cars for. These brand names listed here accounted for over 95% of all grand pianos sold in the united states during the last 35 years. Determining the value of a used piano on your own may be possible, but is not necessarily a simple task.

Piano buyer is the definitive guide for buying a new piano. The online blue book of pianos has a wealth of information about used pianos, and their e book of pianos contains price lists for most every brand on the market. They didnt make much on this venture and discontinued lowrey pianos. Chickering pianos are a popular choice for students, home enthusiasts and professional musicians alike. Chickering pianos for sale buy a chickering piano at pianomart. Owning a steinway is a common dream among most serious pianists. Lowrey was and still is a homeorgan builder who bought up a piano company in the 60s in order to sell pianos with their own name on it. The e book contains pricing for pianos made from 1947 until the present. The age of a piano matters a great deal and can tell a lot.

A blue book of pianos is a compilation of prices of. Cost of a steinway piano price chart and buyers guide. Bluebook of pianos piano information and appraisal, piano. Brougher restorations the value of a pneumatic player piano read this very common inquiry hello my name is jim and i reside in london, ohio just east of dayton. Pianos with key covers that lift are automatically reduced one grade. Used, in good condition some are worth more than original price. Incidentally, the buyer was a professional pianist, and he indeed knew to bring along a piano technician before.

The data presented herein is the tabulated result of information received from dealers everywhere. In actuality these old instruments may be worth very little at all. Check for piano books at a library to see whether you can find your make of piano and further detailed information such as its age. If youre going about this on your own, your best resource is an updated version of the piano book. The bluebook of pianos is a helpful handbook for anyone who plans to. Prices are given only for the lowestpriced style of each model. If youre looking for an appraisal of your steinway piano, a fair value, and the steps needed to sell your piano for a cash offer, see below or call 18004638120. M sanmersen piano mat, 53 x 23 musical piano mat electronic multifunctional. Kawai piano prices and value upright, grand new, used.

Go to the website blue book of pianos see resources and click on piano ages. Sell my steinway piano we buy steinways instant price offer. The problem with these sites is that, unlike with automobiles, boats, motorcycles, and homes, pianos do not have titles that have to be registered. As a final word, all of the above is simply my opinion based on forty years as a player piano technician. For this very reason, we can help you determine the accurate. Since there is no used piano price directory or blue book as there is for other merchandise, like cars for example, piano pricing can be very confusing for most people. How to determine the value of a used piano pianobuyer. With this said, many piano owners and purchasers are looking for at least some general price information. The bluebook of pianos has adopted the following definitions to help clarify the level of repairs on a piano. These price variations are due to several factors in the pianos change of quality, sound and performance from smaller models to larger pianos. Your piano s age is one of the most significant factors in determining your piano s value.

Discover your piano s age and country of origin with our 5 star accuracy guide to ensure the quality and. The website contains a wealth of free information regarding guides to appraisals and buying new and used pianos. The blue book of pianos website values of automatic pianos and organs by arthur reblitz. Our preowned steinway pianos are gently used, in like new condition, many just a few years old. Society has a great fondness for the past and we admire objects that can give us a. The blue book of pianos website is a great resource for finding the value of a piano. This is the answer and the only free publication to provide this information in the piano industry. This list does not include the many furniture styles and finishes.

These models shown here represent more 89% of that majority. The latest supplement to the pianists musthave reference the piano book, this comprehensive guide provides list prices for more than 4,000 currently manufactured acoustic and digital piano brands and models, as well as advice on how to estimate actual street prices to help negotiate the lowest possible price. Have an old piano and are wondering about its value. Extra small pianos below 52 in height deduct 1 grade point. Official guide piano grades beware of bogus claims of bluebook prices, others claim bluebook prices. Did you recently inherit a piano and wonder if its worth restoring to enhance its value. Piano bluebook prices steinway piano gallery of naples. Piano serial numbers identify the 1 age of your piano, the 2 pianos year of manufacture, as well as 3 the circumstances surrounding the production of your piano, including factory history, manufacturing processes, and company ownership and oversight.

Check car prices and values when buying and selling new or used vehicles. If these areas are blank, flip open the lid and look at the soundboard, or check behind an uprightunderneath a grand. It appears that they will sometimes use msrp or wholesale price sheets that are decades old. In each case we show the lowest price at retail for each size. Antique, vintage piano prices currrent market value. Bent was one of the most well known piano and organ makers of the late 19th century in america. I took the link to the blue book and noticed the same thing as did teclado. Most 1 piece fallboard pianos are small, therefore deduct two points. This guide listed below is designed to give information about specific american piano manufacturers and more, during the last 183 years or so. Pianos are known for their durability, but over time gradual. It claimed to be the worlds greatest manufacturer of pianos, inner player pianos, and organs. A blue book can only provide an estimate of the value, yet it is a great starting point.

It is vital to understand that piano values are determined by many factors, and a blue book can by its nature only give you a ballpark figure. I would like to know how much my estey baby grand piano is. Unfortunately, many old pianos are just old pianos, and the cost to move them may be more than the value of the instrument. A blue book of pianos is a compilation of prices of new and used pianos, which can be used to give you an estimate of a piano s value. The e book is objective, too, in that it compiles actual selling prices for used pianos of most makes and models, so you can easily see the price range within which your model. Chickering piano prices and value upright, grand new, used. Tosnail kids piano percussion accordion musical toy, red. Chickering quickly became one of the largest and most successful piano manufacturers of all time. Disposing of a piano can be tricky, especially if you do not know how much your piano is worth.

The piano forums are an online community of piano lovers including piano industry professionals, concert artists, recording artists, technicians, dealers, manufacturers, and thousands of enthusiastic amateur pianist. He has collected quite a bit of information about numerous piano companies. It is used extensively as a source book in the piano business by both consumers and members of the trade. Yet if you head online, youll find all kinds of sites that offer you bluebook value of a piano, charge you a small fee for coaching to tell you what you should pay for a piano, or even offer to appraise your piano to tell you its worth. Some piano manufacturers place serial numbers in various places. Quality quality of a piano is determined both by the internal and external features of the piano, as well as the manufacturer, when it was made, and the care it received yet if you head online, youll find all kinds of sites that offer you bluebook value of a piano, charge you a small fee for coaching to tell you what you should pay. The blue book for pianos is less reliable than the comparable blue book for cars. You may need to figure out your pianos age before you can advance, but this is easily found once you.

In advance buying a new piano whats in a name new piano considerations buying a used piano for what it its worth whats the difference in pianos sizes of grand pianos sizes of vertical pianos. Unfortunately unless pianos of this age have been recently restored or they are very rare and unique instruments they do not have a great value. Grading old upright pianos vintage piano information guidelines grand piano price comparisons online piano. This information should be very useful when trying to find out what your piano is worth.

The blue book of pianos website values of automatic pianos and organs by arthur reblitz response to question about value by john tuttle. The kimball piano company, based in chicago, was one of the largest piano manufacturers in the world. Also, we dont purchase old upright pianos or square grands. How to determine the value of a used piano our pastimes. The cable piano company or simply cable company was an american piano manufacturing company founded by herman d. Here you can look find out more about the manufacturer and the age for free.

In addition to the values of almost 3,000 piano brands and models, this book is a goldmine of information for any piano owner or enthusiast. Piano world is often asked if a piano is valuable because it is an antique. Look in an piano blue book to see what your piano is worth. Old strings and worn hammers can be replaced, with replacing strings the more expensive operation of the two. Well, nobody knows and the piano blue book sites wont say. Free piano prices guide new or used fair market value.

The manufacturing facilities at east rochester was comprised of a series of separate and individual factories planned so that manufacturing of the various instruments was carried on in an entirely individual and distinct manner, and by separate organizations, each under direction of men who had been associated with each respective make for. How much is my piano worth a piano tuner able piano. Your piano is dated circa 1923 so it is around 90 years old. Each new edition of the official piano e blue book represents a comprehensive reevaluation of the changing price structure within the used piano industry.

According to statistics gathered from our piano appraisal data, there is a significant link between a pianos size and a pianos potential market value. Additionally, the actual persontoperson selling price of a piano is a function of individual circumstances. This is a list current used piano prices of these models made after 1985. Sell my steinway piano we buy steinways instant price. Kimball piano values vary based on age and condition. Pianos also have numbers other than serial numbers, such is the case with part or patent numbers. Knowing the fair market value of chickering pianos is useful to sellers, buyers and owners. I would like to know how much my estey baby grand piano is worth. Information regarding the history of uprights and grand pianos and the different manufacturers is available on the blue book of pianos website. The age of your piano is determined by the serial number. Browse our available selection, or use our filters to refine your search by size, price, location, distance from you, or color.

The piano book, now in its fourth edition, has been the standard consumer reference in the piano business in the united states and canada since 1987, and is the only book of its kind. These brand names listed here are of all grand pianos sold in the united states during the years shown here. Schaum piano course youtube schaum a the red book all pieces john w. Personal inspection by a piano technician, knowledgeable dealer or appraiser is the only way to gage the value of a specific piano. Incidentally, the buyer was a professional pianist, and he indeed knew to bring along a piano technician before gladly parting with his 1200 dollars.