Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum HELP J.M. Schweighofer in Wien piano - serial number 1558

Maybe a good idea? Maybe? If this were true, then it would absolutely be a good idea. In fact, anyone would be crazy not to refinish it before selling. The problem is, of course, that it's not true, and this is terrible advice.

I have often wondered who is paying $20k+ for these goudy old uprights at "Antique Piano Shop". They do look nice when refinished, but they fit into, let's say, a very narrow home design aesthetic. I wonder how they play, too. If I had $20k to pay for a piano, it wouldn't be on one of these.

Then again, it seems that Antique Piano Shop's main purpose, whether conscious or not, is to give the owners of old upright wrecks that they are actually worth something... Just because they sell one or two a year doesn't mean there is a market for your old, unrestored "upright grand".

Really? And who are you to tell??!!
it is a good advice, and it's how the things work on the antique market.

[quote=myPianoOpinion]
Let's say, if you sell it for 400$, someone will refinish it for 3000 -4000$ and sell it for 30 000 - 40 000 $. If you have the money, maybe it's a good idea to refinish it before and then try to sell it.

Post 2/2

Determining price most confusing
I have saw links for pianos sold on that auction site for 2-3000 $
On the other hand there is the same maker as mine, not restored for 40000$.
1845
Lets say, it can be advertise even for million but it will never be sold.

But, other websites selling antique pianos have the same price range, even higher.
All pianos from 1850-1860 era are 70.000$. Not just advertised, sold for that amounts.
I took this one as example, because it have SOLD prices.
Other Antique

I went to your link and did not see the prices actually paid. It looks like they list an asking price and then indicate whether or not it has been sold. I don't know how they do things but it is not unknown for businesses to list a high price and then actually sell it at an 80% discount. It gives the buyer a sense of getting an incredible deal, apparently.

Recently, I believe it was Phillip in China who posted some auction results for some antique pianos. They looked, in the pictures anyway, to be in great condition. IIRC they sold for $2,000-$3,000. And may have been part of a collection.

Everything I've read suggests piano repair, rebuilding, reconditioning, whatever you want to call it, is VERY expensive to have done correctly. Hence why it is usually reserved for the most expensive brands and models. Or for pianos with great personal sentimental value.

And my impression -- based only on the fact I read a lot and have a long memory -- is that one can take an old antique piano, sink tens of thousands of dollars into it to bring it back to good condition, and then sell it for a profit as a private party, is pure fantasy.

I agree with the assessment above that many of these older pianos with nice cases are not being sold to be played but, rather, to be used as furniture. Amd perhaps one business has created a market where people looking for furniture perceive a value someone looking for a player would not. And I don't think we know what they actually sell for. Perhaps try buying one. And if you had one in literally the exact condition they would sell it for my guess is they would pay you no more than 50% of that amount. Less based on actual condition.

So why not call them and tell them you may be interested in selling them your piano. You can come back and tell us all about it. Maybe they'll offer you $50,000 or more! But don't brag about it until you have cash in hand.

If I'm remembering correctly businesses that restore old Steinways buy the "cores" they use for very, very, little. It's they only way they can make a living doing it. And the market for old Steinways is probably the strongest old piano market in the world.

Ultimately the market value is what buyers are willing to pay. Which, with rare items that sell in very limited numbers, one often can't determine until the item actually sells. Auction houses that specialize in such items often have the data to make an educated guess. But are often wrong. And you won't know how the condition of the sold items compared to yours unless you had an expert examine them before they sold.

So reach for the stars and ask any price you like. The market will tell you if you're off base.

Good luck in your efforts.

Fareham, your sarcasm is useless.:) I already have some potential buyers.