Piano Restoration, New and Used Pianos for Sale, Complete Tuning and Repair Service
What information do I need for your piano appraisal?
Once you make the purchase, you will be sent an e mail with these questions. I will personally review your answers and photos and in most cases have an appraisal back to you within 2 business days.
The links on this page next to the questions will direct you to the page(s) that give you the instructions on how to locate the information,and take useful photos of specific components. Some of the information may be at the beginning, middle or end of the page you are being directed to. (Until I can figure out how to take you to specific sections of the pages that connect with the questions, this will have to do)
Section 1. What is it?
1. Is the Piano a Grand or and Upright? Find out here
Piano Size:
4. Grand Piano. Measure from the cabinetry in front of the keys to the tail.
5. Upright Piano. Is it a Spinet? A Console? A Studio Upright? A Full Size Upright? Find out here
Section 2. Condition.
Records or Recollection: 6. When was the Piano last tuned or serviced? Do you have any receipts? Did the Tuner mention anything about the piano that you can remember?
7. Has the Piano had any major work done on it? When? By Whom? (Any receipts?)
9. Do you know what the piano sold for when it was brand new?
8. Where has the Piano been stored? Living Room? Basement? Garage? Do you know its history?
Furniture:
11. Describe the furniture/case of the piano. Style, color, condition, carvings, ornate designs, inlays, scratches, water marks, peeling veneer or crackled finish. (or describe with photos)
Logistics:
12. How many stairs (EXACTLY) are involved to get the piano out of your home? Twists? Turns? Landings? Steep Terrain? Rock Walkways? Please describe:
Section 3. Photos
The Case.
One Shot for an overall look at the piano. Shots of any damages that seem major to you.
The Interior Please refer to this section of the web site and look for the problems I have described, and the photos I took to teach you about the pianos interior. Look at the piano’s interior as I did. Take the photos as I took them. Realize that the “Belly” of the piano (Tuning pins, Strings, Soundboard and Bridges) are the most critical in determining condition and therefore value.
Tuning Pins.
Are there any pins that look like they were “tapped down”? Any pins that look larger than their neighbors? Any pins with chalk marks? Take photos of anything that looks inconsistent. A photo of each section of the tuning pins. If there are notes which are wildly out of tune, take photos of the tuning pins that correspond with the out of tune note. Don’t know what to look for? Find out here
Strings. Any replacements? Any tied together? Any felt or rubber wedges stuck between the strings? Get the photos. Find out here
Soundboard and Ribs. Look for cracks in the soundboard and separation of the soundboard from the ribs. Find out here
Bridges. Look for cracks between the bridge pins as described. Take photos of any bridges you can see. Find out here
The Action. Take photos of the action either through the strings of a grand piano or from the top on an upright piano. Try and get me shots showing the wear and tear on the hammers, especially where the hammer strikes the string. Find out here
“A picture tells a thousand words”
Good Photos will fill many of the gaps of the written information you could not provide, and these photos will come in very handy in describing the overall condition to a buyer, insurance company, estate or whatever your purpose for assessing the piano may be. With a description such as this, we may even be able to help find a buyer for you if you are selling.
