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I have a chance to buy an old Jesse French & Sons upright, sn 76003, for $25.
I like a piano the 'rings', and, boy, this one rings!
I'm new to the piane-buying-world, and I want to know if this is a good piano.
It is in unbelievably good shape. Matter of fact, the only note that's out of tune is B below middle C.
I have a friend that tunes/repairs old pianos. I know these pianos are old. Can anyone tell me the age, by the sn, and, if it needs no major work, is it worth $25?
Help! I'm a newbie!!!
PS: The man that owns it just wants to get rid of it. He's a farmer, like me, and knows/cares nothing about pianos. He got it in reluctant partial payment on a 5 yr old debt. I asked him what he'd take for it, and he said $25, if I'd move it. This is not a joke post. I'm new here, and have never owned an acoustic piano. Any help will be much appreciated.
[ March 17, 2002: Message edited by: Charles68 ]
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Well, it's going to cost something to move it. Are you doing it yourself? If so, do you know how to move it? If you do it wrong, then you'll end up paying $25 for firewood.
A pro will charge $100+, and you need a tech to go over it, another $100+.
If you get a nice piano out of this for around $300, how can it not be worth it?
If it takes another $1,000 to make it right, how can it not be worth it?
At some point, the extra $ will build so it won't be worth, but that $ amount needs to be determined. Have a tech look at it inside and out before you commit, so you'll have a good idea what the bottom line will be.
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My Pierce Piano Atlas states that this piano was built in 1919.
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Thanks, BrulBruce and Wayne.
As I said, I have a friend that's a professional piano tuner/rebuilder. I will have him move it for me, then, when it's in place, have him go over it with a fine-toothed comb.
We can dream: If it was worth $10,000, I'd sell it. If it was worth $5000, I'd keep it because it has such a great ring!!
I know nothing about pianos, but I do know that every key sounds, it's in tune from the left side to the right, all the strings are intact, and only 1 note needs tuning. Don't know about the pedals, but my friend can fix those, if need be.
Not sure about the finish. It's original, I'm pretty sure. Just can't identify the wood-type! The key-cover sticks once in a while, but that's no problem. This guy can fabricate anything!!
Thanks for all your help and encouragement! If, ah, you want to post some more ideas/suggestions, please do...
[ March 17, 2002: Message edited by: Charles68 ]
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charles, if you have a friend who is a piano tech and is so willing to help, please take him to see the piano BEFORE you buy it. otherwise it could turn out you paid $25 for firewood you then need to have removed from your house.
i know you think it is in tune, but unless you have a very sensitive ear, you probably can't tell if it is in tune or not. it may all be at the same pitch, except for that one note, but it may still not be at the correct pitch.
a big consideration will be if this piano can even hold a tune. if it has been sitting around in somebody's house, not being played, not regularly tuned and maintained, at that age, it could be pretty worthless.
on the other hand, if you simply like it as furniture and don't care if it turns out to be worthless as a piano, $25 for interior decor is pretty reasonable.
and it is highly unlikely that it could ever be worth more than $1,000. and that may be stretching it quite a bit. pianos, unlike violins, do not improve with age!
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Originally posted by pique: and it is highly unlikely that it could ever be worth more than $1,000. Originally posted by Charles68: We can dream: If it was worth $10,000, I'd sell it. If it was worth $5000, I'd keep it because it has such a great ring!! I don't have perfect pitch, but I've played keyboards for a long time. It may not be A440, but the notes, sounded an octave apart, are the same. If it's no good, I'm out $25. If it IS, I'll have a decent-sounding piano. It's an offer I can't refuse... Thanks for your input! [ March 17, 2002: Message edited by: Charles68 ]
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Originally posted by Charles68:
I don't have perfect pitch, but I've played keyboards for a long time. It may not be A440, but the notes, sounded an octave apart, are the same.
If it's no good, I'm out $25. If it IS, I'll have a decent-sounding piano. It's an offer I can't refuse...
Thanks for your input!
[ March 17, 2002: Message edited by: Charles68 ] Having the tech look at it before moving it is a good idea. It might not be worth moving - your tech should know. On the other hand, if it turns out to be a dog, I might give you $25 for the front board off of it (plus shipping of course) if it is a carved one that appeals to me...
Defender of the Landfill Piano
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Tech is looking at it this weekend. I'll let you know, Steve. Thanks for the offer!
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