"...I just find the idea that an object's worth is purely in its practical application to be clinically mercenary..."Oh, I don't know. Piano
rebuilds are astonishingly expensive; it does enter into the decision, for most of us. The initial value and playability of a piano, when it was new, are also worthwhile things to consider. It doesn't seem to me that sailorben was asking to be pushed toward an expensive project to satisfy someone else's views. If he doesn't know what is involved when the term 'piano rebuild' is thrown down, it would be worth his while to find out.
I think a lick of piano polish, a tuning (if it's possible--- those birdcages are a nightmare, and many techs won't touch them) and maybe some brass cleaner might give him everything he wants.
Sailorben, since you begged for information and advice repeatedly, I can see that it's of some importance to you. So, I'm glad to see that you got some good advice for your trouble--- from Jurgen, who is very knowledgeable, and who gave you as accurate an appraisal as one can do by long-distance... though it was not sugared-up very much. We are fairly well used to getting letters on this forum, from inheritors of old pianos who believe that they're sure to be very valuable because of their old age, and because they're big, and a musical instrument. So if the advice was a bit terse, that is probably the backstory; you wouldn't be in a position to know it, unless you read through the back numbers on the forum.
You still got fine advice. Your next step, when you get around to it, would be to have a qualified technician see the piano in person. He can examine it for condition (which is all-important when it comes to fixing up used pianos), appraise its insurance value, and estimate the cost of putting it in order, if that's what you want. This kind of service call would cost around $100- 300, depending on the kind of report you require.
If you placed your location (state or country would do) on your post or profile, it might be possible to help you find a qualified tech in your area. If you're in the USA, you might try
http://ptg.org or ask a local piano dealer for a recommendation.
It's nice to know you have something from your family, and that you have such a good feeling for it. Best of luck with your project.
), but we don't enter into it thinking it's a 'near enough' proposition, do we. we enter into it deliberately seeking the difference, quite often. else it's out of sheer love for the art of the thing.
