How Old Is My Bechstein
Bechstein pianos are built to last. Each of them is cherished, belongs to a family and is handed down from one generation to the next. Nonetheless, its personal history may get lost. Some instruments have entertained prominent figures, stood in palaces or even belonged to famous musicians others have traveled the world or even survived wars unscathed. Thanks to their top-quality design and materials, Bechstein grand pianos are virtually indestructible.
All the instruments we produce have their own identity: the large serial number usually inscribed on the cast-iron frame and recorded in our production books along with the date of delivery and the name of the first owner. Apart from a few missing pages that were destroyed during the war, this tradition can be traced back to 1853. Upon request, we can send you your pianos archive data, but bear in mind that we are unable to accept any liability for such archival information.
Piano Serial Numbers Bluebook
There is no one definitive answer to this question, as there is no one definitive source for piano serial numbers or for bluebook values. However, some general tips that may be useful include checking multiple sources for piano serial number information, and using a reputable source for bluebook values. Additionally, it may be helpful to contact a piano specialist or dealer for more specific information.
A blue book of pianos contains a list of prices for both new and used pianos. You can get an idea of the value of a piano by using it. Before you buy a used piano, you should have a professional piano technician evaluate it. You can only look at the piano prices in the E-book of Pianos. Only paid subscribers to the site can access the actual e-book, which contains used piano prices for pianos manufactured between 1947 and today. Anyone looking to buy or sell a piano can benefit from the information in the Blue Book.
The First Place You Should Look
Serial numbers are 4-7 digits and occasionally include a letter or two. Don’t confuse it with the model number, which almost always starts with a letter. You may also spot a few three or four digit numbers inside your piano. This aren’t the serial number they’re manufacturing codes from when your instrument was assembled.
Now that you know what you’re looking for, open up any piano and look at the cast iron plate. You may not have noticed it before, but the serial number may be blindingly obvious. The most common location is in the V-shaped space between the tenor and bass string sections of tuning pins. In a grand piano, the V-shape will be inverted because of the direction of the strings.
The makers of this sample spinet didn’t go for subtlety.
Didn’t see it there? Don’t worry, the next most common spot for the serial number is just to the right. Look at the area of the plate near the treble section. It may be printed in bold ink or engraved, either straight onto the iron or a plaque.
Major brands like Steinway, Kawai, Kimball, and Yamaha tend to mark their pianos in these spots, but not always.
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I Found The Serial Number Now What
The serial number alone won’t give you a value, but it does give you a place to start. Look up your piano in the Pierce Piano Atlas or use a resource like The Bluebook of Pianos to determine your piano’s age. We used this nifty serial number search tool and discovered that this sample piano was built in 1964.
So how much is your piano worth? For that, you’ll have to contact a professional piano technician. The serial number alone isn’t enough to give you a value, even if it is rare and old.
The sample piano in this post has been through a lot, so even if a 1964 Kimball spinet is the most sought-after piano on the market it may not earn top dollar.
At the end of the day, the serial number is only one part of the equation. It’s all about condition, condition, condition.
So how did your detective mission go? Did you find the serial number? Any interesting tidbits you learned along the way? Let us know in the comments down below.
Baldwin Pianos: Modern Times
Baldwin purchased the Wurlitzer andChickering names in 1988, but in 2008, both names ceased production. Samick manufactured pianos with the DH Baldwin name in the 1980s, as pianoswere purchased by Baldwin and sold through Baldwindealers.
Around the decade of the 1990s, the company was sold and relocated toArkansas and Missouri. Today, Baldwin is owned by the famous GibsonGuitar Company .
The following brands have been in use or are in development by Gibson, since 2003: A.B. Chase, Aeolian, Ampico, DH Baldwin , Cable, Ellington , Hamilton, Howard grand pianos, Ivers & Pond, J & C Fischer, Kranich & Bach, Monarch, Mozart, Pianola, Pianovelle, Sargent.
In 2006/2007, Gibson purchased the Dongbei Piano Group, the third biggest Chinese piano maker in the world.
In 2008, Baldwin moved all production of pianos to factories in China . Pianos are manufactured there for the USmarket, the Chinese domestic market, and otherinternational piano markets.
Baldwin ceased piano production at itsonly remaining U.S. factory in Trumann, Arkansas in December 2008. Thisfacility remains open as a US distribution and service center.
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Manufacturers And Brands That Retain The Most Value And Are Most Re
- Steinway & Sons pianos less than 40 years old
- Yamaha and Kawai pianos less than 15 years old
- Steinway Designed Boston and Essex Pianos less than 15-20 years old
- Samick pianos less than 15 years old
- Pearl River pianos less than 10 years old
- Higher-end European Manufacturers less than 20 years old, such as Bosendorfer, Fazioli, Bechstein, to name a few.
Piano Serial Number Check
There is no definitive answer as to where to find a piano serial number check. However, a few possible places to look include the manufacturers website, a local piano store, or a piano tuner. The serial number can be used to date a piano, so it is important to have it handy when shopping for a new or used piano.
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Daddy How Does It Play By Itself
Restoration is not cheap, but it is necessary to make any instrument worth top dollar. If your instrument was an antique automobile sitting on blocks, full of rust and ruining due to neglect, you wouldnt expect it to fetch a very high price.
If you invested in having the automobile restored to make it a show car, you could then expect it to sell for a tidy sum likely at a nice profit after your investment. Pianos and organs are the same way. Restored instruments sell for high dollars original, unrestored instruments simply do not.
Over the past two decades, we have seen the value of antique pianos and organs nearly double across the board. Much of the credit goes to education folks are now able to go to the internet and learn about what they have, often encouraged to invest and preserve their instruments. The best way to get a general sense of what instruments are worth is by comparing them against what similar instruments are selling for in the real market. It may be helpful if you go to our online showroom. Here you can see what different types and styles of instruments have been selling for over the past few years.
Will it cost more to restore my instrument than it will be worth?
Idealized Value Minus The Cost Of Restoration
This is the difference between the cost of a rebuilt piano and the cost to restore the unrebuilt one to like-new condition. For example, if a piano, rebuilt, would be worth $50,000, and it would cost $30,000 to restore the unrebuilt one to like-new condition, then according to this method the unrebuilt piano would be worth $20,000. This method can be used when a piano needs extensive, quantifiable repair work. Its not appropriate to use this method for an instrument that is relatively new or in good condition.
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How Much Is My Wurlitzer Piano Worth
What is the typical market value of a Wurlitzer piano? You may anticipate to receive/sell your piano for anywhere from $600 and $1500 depending on its condition and condition. Assuming, of course, that it is a Wurlitzer acoustic piano. The spinet pianos will be more affordable than the console pianos, which will be more expensive than the console pianos.When it comes to pianos, what is the worth of a Wurlitzer Spinet?
- The price of a Wurlitzer piano might vary based on the model and the age of the instrument. Acoustic Wurlitzers may be purchased for anywhere from $600 to $1700, spinet pianos can be purchased for approximately $500, and console pianos can be purchased for upwards of $1700. You should be fully honest and transparent about the state of your piano when selling it, just as you would with any other item you are selling.
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How Old Is My Steinway
Olivia Groves
Posted: Sep 11, 2018
Steinway & Sons is a highly esteemed piano manufacturing company that has become a household name worldwide for their beautiful grand and upright pianos. Producing high quality, handmade pianos since 1853, Steinway has captured the attention of artisans and virtuosos alike and garnered the spot for some of the most valuable antique handmade pianos still in existence today. Nine out of ten concert pianists prefer Steinway over any other brand.
Should I restore my Steinway & Sons Piano?
Depending on the condition, age and value, an antique piano may or may not see a significant return on investment from restoration. However, for your Steinway & Sons piano, the answer to this question is almost always going to be an emphatic YES! Steinways are made from some of the finest procured materials in the world. Sourcing wood compatible with the historical integrity of their oldest models, Steinway has remained consistent in their craftsmanship since the turn of the 20th century. Restoring a Steinway, depending on its condition and the amount of work involved in the process is an investment that will almost always see a return.
Whats the Age of My Steinway?
Where Can I find the Serial Number on my Steinway?
Locating the serial number can differ based on the year and model, but we have put together a helpful diagram with arrows pointed to possible locations. Check that out here!
Steinway & Sons Serial Number Directory:
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How Can I Identify My Piano
On the piano, there is a cast iron plate. By lifting the lid up, look down at the plates top front. The serial number can appear to the right or left, or it can appear in the middle. The plaque, which has been stamped with a little code to the right or left, is placed beneath the opened lid on the ledge.
Important Things To Consider When Buying A Used Or Digital Piano
If youre looking for a used piano, you should first look at its condition before purchasing it. Water damage, visible damage to the piano, and missing or damaged keys are all indicators that the piano has been damaged. When inspecting the property, ask the seller if any damage is not immediately obvious. When purchasing a digital piano, you should make sure the keys perfectly reproduce the sound of an acoustic piano. Play every single one and ensure that the sound is consistent so that you can test your keys. After that, you can move the pedal all the way to the right so that you can hear the sound when you lift your finger from a key. Hold the pedal down while pressing 20-30 keys one after the other, to see if any pitches drop off the sustained sound.
How Much Is My Yamaha Piano Worth
There is no definitive answer to this question as the value of a Yamaha piano depends on a number of factors, including its age, condition, and provenance. However, a good general rule of thumb is that a Yamaha piano is worth between $3,000 and $5,000. If the piano is particularly old or rare, it may be worth more.
Dont even consider buying a grand piano if your budget is less than $7,500.00. A good musical instrument should cost no more than this price point. Yamaha, Kawai, Young Chang, Sammick, and Sohmer are some of the best examples of pianos priced in this price range. You should avoid purchasing any grand pianos if your budget is less than $7,500.00. If you have an old piano, you are unlikely to find it reasonably repaired however, if you do, the piano may end up in a collectors market for exorbitantly high prices. The Yamaha and Kawai models have a capacity of 48 inches. In this price range, the upright piano is the best choice.
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Antique Piano Prices Chart
| 40+ years | $500 to $1,500+ |
A high-end upright pianos price range is from $10,000 to $25,000, while you need to set aside about $3,000 to $6,000 for an average model.
On the other hand, a grand piano of the lowest grade will cost approximately $7,000 to $30,000. Antique grand piano models, such as Steinway, Yamaha, and Bosendorfer, typically reach $65,000 to an astonishing $195,000.
European Made Pianos And Grey Market Yamaha
While on the subject 0f European-Made pianos, it is important to understand the effects of ambient climate on a piano. Seasonal and daily changes in temperature and humidity will have dramatic effects on a piano. Many of the more expensive European brands utilize native European lumber and are designed for the European climate, which tends to be more mild by comparison to much of North America, particularly when compared to the Northeast United States. This is why antique European furniture often experiences rapid deterioration when moved to the more hostile New England environment.
Also of note, many Asian-built pianos are also less resistant to seasonal climate variations of North America. The construction process of a budget-conscious piano values cost and speed of construction over high quality materials/woods and curing time of woods. As a result many Asian built pianos deteriorate rapidly in the North American climate. In fact, Yamaha notes on their website that it builds pianos not suitable for the US Market.
Experience has suggested many of the used Yamaha pianos being brought to North America today are pianos that were manufactured for the Japanese marketalso known as the grey market pianos. Based on Yamaha experience with pianos not seasoned for the US market, we strongly discourage the purchase.
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Story & Clark Piano Value
If youre trying to appraise a piano yourself, one of the best resources you have is looking at similar pianos to the one you own, and seeing how they have fared on the market. Its very useful to compare your piano to a piano on the market that is the same product and in similar condition .
Lets first start on the lower end of sales and estimated value. First, places like estate sales are always a good way to find cheap pianos, even acoustic ones, because the estate is probably looking to offload as many huge items as possible. On top of that, a piano is a massive instrument, so it has to be picked up by the buyer. In order to get something like a Story and Clark piano, you not only have to have time on your hands, but the means to get the piano and bring it back home.
So, at a place like Companies Estate Sales, a Story and Clark piano sold for just $20.00. It wasnt much better over at K-Bid Online Auctions, where a Story and Clark Spinet sold for $54.00.
However, on a site like Piano Mart, a seller is hoping to sell his or her Satin Walnut Story and Clark piano for $350.00. And over at Alamo Music, a Story and Clark piano thats stated to be in very good condition, its selling price is of $850.
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How To Find The Serial Number On Any Piano
Olivia Groves
Posted: Oct 7, 2017| Updated: Sep 4, 2018
One of the primary ways you can begin to investigate the value of your piano is by locating the serial number. The serial number is considered your pianos birth certificate, and it is the way the original manufacturer assigned it a unique.
However, locating it can be tricky. We provide our customers with the following real-life diagrams to quickly help them find the serial number on their grand or upright piano.
Grand serial numbers like on the Steinway pictured above may be found in many different places. The various places on the diagram point to some possible locations.
Typically, a serial number has 5 to 7 digits, but in some cases, it may have fewer or more and may also include a letter. This is a view of the grand with the lid open and the music desk removed. It may be necessary to clean dust off the harp or soundboard before the serial number can be seen.
Upright or vertical piano serial numbers can usually be found by lifting the lid and looking inside on the gold harp or plate. It is usually not necessary to remove the upper front panel to find the serial number .
Sometimes, however, a serial number can be nearly impossible to find, even to professionals who know where to look and have identified thousands of serial numbers in their years of expertise. If you are running into this problem, feel free to give us a call, and well be happy to work with you to locate your serial number.
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