Really Old Piano Help

cmlax21 · #1 09-20-2009, 01:03 PM

Today my great uncle told me I can have his old piano to have to sell and keep all the money. He's not sure what year it is but they bought it used it 1930 and it's a Schubert and made in New York. I'm not sure what to price it or how to find out how old it is. Any help would be great.
Thanks
Pics coming

cmlax21 · #2 09-20-2009, 01:47 PM

Muusers · #3 09-20-2009, 01:49 PM

Man that thing needs a good dusting and cleaning.

Go here http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ and sign up. Ask there, they'll know. Also, you could hire a tech.

nataku · #4 09-20-2009, 02:35 PM

Did they store it outside?

**Pacman** · #5 09-20-2009, 02:50 PM

It looks trashed. If it's been stored outside, you'll need to check the soundboard and pinblock. If either is cracked, you'll need major repairs first.

cmlax21 · #6 09-20-2009, 03:32 PM

Its only been outside for a little bit but for 75+ years its been inside covered with a blanket only 3 of the black keys don't work.
Pacman: What is the soundboard and pinlock?

**Pacman** · #7 09-21-2009, 12:48 AM

What's "a little bit" - what's the weather conditions been? Has it been subjected to extremes in humidity/temperature?

The pinblock is where the ends of the strings terminate - the "tuners" of the piano, so to speak...

The sound is the solid piece of wood at the front of the piano - just above that broken pedal...

cmlax21 · #8 09-21-2009, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

What's "a little bit" - what's the weather conditions been? Has it been subjected to extremes in humidity/temperature?

The pinblock is where the ends of the strings terminate - the "tuners" of the piano, so to speak...

The sound is the solid piece of wood at the front of the piano - just above that broken pedal...

I'd say at most the whole summer. For the most part it was probably about 80 degrees all summer some days were hotter and some cooler not sure about humidity (Pittsburghers help me out). The reason it was outside was because my great uncle was in the hospital and when he came back my dad my the house easier for him to live in by rearranging it and there was no room for the piano anymore and it was completley covered with tarp the whole time.

With the "tuners it sounds like some of the keys are out of tune and 3 of the black keys don't work.

Even if this is trash is it worth anything?

**Pacman** · #9 09-21-2009, 09:12 PM

Call a piano shop - an expert will be your best bet. I can't see everything there is to see, nor do I know enough to give you a good idea...