Just wonderful, I been tryin to find out about "how do you play a ballad on a piano?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Penaycer Rudimentary Preponderance - (do a search on google ) ? It is an awesome one off guide for discovering how to play the piano easily without the normal expense. Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my co-worker got amazing success with it.
I have an amazing used piano I got for totally free that’s from the earlier 1900s has never been rebuilt yet but is nearing needing it. Plays very well and is in fine tune only one note sticks slightly on really humid days. Beyond that totally normal issue for older pianos it’s a fine instrument. Not really sure why you’d discourage people from acquiring antique models. At least you’re up front about the realism of rebuilding them and cost yet that factor varies based on model, parts needed and so on. Some are more expensive than others to repair. But most folks interested in one are aware of that and typically get it as a project they can enjoy after it has new life.
Thanks so much for your comment and I look forward to addressing it in a future video, if you don’t mind! I do have rare instances where I come across old uprights that appear to have been in a time capsule, but like anything pulled from a time capsule it doesn’t mean it’s escaped the aging process (as you apparently are realizing). These exceptionally rare finds like yours may tuneup well and even play reasonably for a time, but they are wildly more fragile and under the hands of someone that plays regularly, they are not durable and will inevitably start having expensive problems .. it’s something like putting your 90 year old grandma in a 5K race. She’s going to need an ambulance after the second block 😁
Sorry, did not see your comment until just now Justin! I’m gonna get better at this 👍🏽 .. if you have an old piano like that you insist on considering, I would get a hold of a reputable piano technician local to you (and pay them for a consult) to go look at it for you first. Go here: www.PTG.org and put in your zip code to find a local piano technician. I would definitely NOT scoop that up without some professional eyes on it first!
Something like that old upright piano would be best left for someone to use as a project piano. The piano you show is one manufactured by Emerson which was a higher quality piano from the time it was manufactured. I would consider restoration. Once restored, you would have a very nice old upright piano.
Sorry for the late reply alterman156 .. it really is about the economics: How much are you will to spend on such a restoration? Or if you are in the trade, what kind of time would you be willing to invest in "restoration" that would make it a viable, trouble free instrument that could be enjoyed for years and decades to come? There was A LOT wrong with this piano! It is the rare exception, not the rule, for me as a full time piano technician to come across pianos of this vintage that are actually serviceable frankly. By the way, what does that word "restoration" even mean really? It is a term that I have heard used so loosely .. I am sure Emerson was a spectacular make of piano back in the day, but this piano was not well cared for through the years and it showed! Think about it like this, if you were to buy a 1940s Ford coupe in similar condition and want to make it road worthy, you would have to be willing to spend perhaps thousands of dollars with someone skilled in such restorations. It would be the same for this piano. You'll have to take my word for it - it was a musical corpse.
@@thepianoappraiser The important thing when it comes to any old piano is to have it evaluated. The old upright that you show in the video such as the Emerson is typical of a better grade piano manufactured during the first decade of the 20th century. Some people might find it worthwhile to restore an upright piano like the one in the video. Think of how much a better grade upright piano cost in let's say 1902 and translate that money into today's money. Something like the Emerson might have cost $500 in the day and that was a large sum of money in the day. Think of how much something like that piano could cost today brand new. Compare the overall quality of the Emerson upright to a typical spinet. There is no comparison. I would rather see a spinet piano of low quality thrown out rather than a large upright that was of better quality thrown out. Look at the construction quality of the old Emerson upright and compare it to a typical spinet like the Wurlitzer spinet that came into your shop at the time. There is basically no comparison between the two. The Wurlitzer spinet was ready to be brought to the dump. The old Emerson upright would be a project piano that could be a great instrument once again. I realize that opinions can differ, but the Emerson upright was a great deal better than the typical consumer grade pianos made after the end of World War II.
@@alterman156channelOk to restore as a hobby perhaps, but you could spend thousands on a piano that you couldn't sell for more than 1000 at best. Sentiment doesn't trump economics.
@@Clodhopping Keep in mind that the old upright piano that you showed in the video (Emerson) was a higher quality piano when it was manufactured. No spinet cannot measure up to that old upright when it was new or still in good enough condition. Think of how much money it sold for when it was new. Think of how much a comparable new upright of the same quality would retail for at the present time (2023). If I had to choose between saving the old upright and saving a typical spinet, I would choose the old upright and put the spinet in the dumpster. Spinet pianos have no place in the marketplace these days with perhaps the exception of a Baldwin Acrosonic that is still in good enough condition and perhaps a few others. I despise the spinet pianos in the most part since they are simply miserable instruments to work on and they generally sound miserable.
These old clunkers were mass produced in their day. The fact they're still vaguely playable is a miracle. But as you say, they're mostly junk. Even tuned with new dampers and felts, they don't usually sound great.
My current piano is a Story and Clark upright from the 70's and every attempt to tune/fix it always fails/falls out of tune within a day for some reason.
I have a webpage for piano service you might want to look at: www.pianoserviceandrepair I discuss in that information things that can cause a piano struggle to hold a tune. You might want also try a different piano technician next time you’re due for a tune too. You might have a different result with someone who is perhaps more skilled or uses a different technique for bringing a piano to pitch. Hope that helps 🎹👍🏽
Hello, I have an old upright piano that dates back too approximately 104 years old. It is out of tune by two keys, and I was wondering, could it be tuned, or would I have to replace the strings first?
If the pitch has dropped two tones then it's unlikely it would ever hold concert pitch. The pins might not hold the tension and you'll likely snap a few strings trying to get it there. Pianos do best when they're kept up at concert pitch and tuned regularly. They don't really recover from years of neglect. The whole instrument is under tension and likes to give kept that way.
King of slots MILLION: I would not recommend you pick up any piano for “free” without a reputable Piano Technician looking at it first. I would search someone out local to you, pay their fee to go look at it, and make sure it is a viable instrument. As the video betrays, picking up an old piano can be sketch.
U know, all have life spend but if you care about it, this can be forever. We have 50 yo ibach upright and the restauration cost about 12000 with tex it is my father's piano and worth about 1000 € but have sentimental value to me. Ibach was compered with steinways and meny more and faunded in 1794.so is it worth 11k extra? Yes ofc. Great video btw
Ivan! I really couldn't help you without seeing the piano and seeing what kind of shape it is in. I would get a referral to a local, trusted, piano technician and see what kind of evaluation they may be able to give you.
@@ivanfrangugic8355 .. Croatia! What a wonderful place and super tasty beer! Visited there this past Summer. On the matter of your piano, I would not be able to give you any solid advice about the piano from just pictures. There is a lot that goes into evaluating a piano. You really need to look up someone up that can come evaluate it for you that is in the local area where the piano is. It shouldn't be too hard to find someone. I would look for good online reviews, maybe call a larger piano dealer, local concert venue or even a piano teacher for a referral for someone reputable. Sorry I can not be of more help than that!
Why are these antique upright pianos so worthless? I can't give mine away. Granted, my sister got it probably free... 30 years ago... been taking up space ever since. I'm about to take a sledgehammer to it... just hate to do it to something that survived 100 years intact... but your video tells me... yeah... :-/ How much did they pay for these types of pinaos back in the day when they were new? I bet if instead they had put that money in a bank account or investments, it'd be a nice little snowball today... esp... stock market. If they paid the equivalent of like $2,000 for one of these... 10% over 100 years... I just punched in $2,000 at 10% for 100 years.... $27 million dollars.
I do service a lot of very old pianos, but you can tell just by how they sound that the soundboard is tired (lost its crown and capacity for volume) and it is a mere shadow of what it must have sounded like when it was newer. A piano is ultimately a music making piece of equipment .. if they are not maintained, as the piano makers intend with service and tuning a couple times a year, they will deteriorate just like anything else mechanical. When pianos get to the point of being “elderly” they become fragile and do have a lot of problems. They are made of wood and held together with hide glue. Unlike any other thing one might buy, a good quality piano can last for decades IF it is looked after appropriately.
@@thepianoappraiser Well I guess I sawsall this one then, and a pool table that's also taking up space at the same time. I'm sure both of these were all the rage in the 1800's, but they are hopeless obsolete in 20221. Since we have a kitchen cabinet shop, I hate to do it because I know how much work and time and labor went into making both, and that they sboth survived for so long... but I need the space to set up an electronics working area for my FPV quadcopter hobby. OUt with the old, in with the new. The older I get, the less I want big unwieldy heavy things around at all. They become... kind of... abominations. pianos, pool tables... yeah... both horrible ideas of things to bring into your home... I found that out when I brought three ultralight airplanes home, and one of them lived in my living room for a while. Just cutting up both of them into carryable parts that can be thrown in a dumpster or into the woods... is going to be one serious PITA job. When you get old, just feeding yourself and taking a shower every day becomes a chore... destroying a piano was not a job I signed on for, but it's a problem and has never been a solution to anything since we got it. If a musician is not going to want it free, then, yeah, it's fate is sealed. Both of my these my sister got free 30 years ago, so... no love lost.
@@thepianoappraiser Why did they put ivory on the key (caps?) I'm sure my mass produced probably does not have it, but still, what functional purpose would that serve at all? Was it just some weird vanity one upmanship outdo the other manufacturers kind of thing? An Ivory tusk is curved and hollow I imagine... I don't even know how they would do that... wood you can steam and bend, but bone, esp one curved like a tusk... you'll never flatten it out? And even so, how many usable key surfaces could you get out of one tusk??? Unless I'm mistaken and the ivory was used elsewhere in the piano, or not at all, and it was just a figure of speach. I'm thinking it must of been a figure of speach...
I could not have said it better myself. I generally say “The most expensive Piano is a FREE piano.”
someone is giving me a free upright piano, should I take it or is it really junk
Just wonderful, I been tryin to find out about "how do you play a ballad on a piano?" for a while now, and I think this has helped. Have you heard people talk about - Penaycer Rudimentary Preponderance - (do a search on google ) ? It is an awesome one off guide for discovering how to play the piano easily without the normal expense. Ive heard some pretty good things about it and my co-worker got amazing success with it.
From one tuner to another .......So true, been saying it and preaching it for 25 years
I have an amazing used piano I got for totally free that’s from the earlier 1900s has never been rebuilt yet but is nearing needing it. Plays very well and is in fine tune only one note sticks slightly on really humid days. Beyond that totally normal issue for older pianos it’s a fine instrument.
Not really sure why you’d discourage people from acquiring antique models. At least you’re up front about the realism of rebuilding them and cost yet that factor varies based on model, parts needed and so on. Some are more expensive than others to repair.
But most folks interested in one are aware of that and typically get it as a project they can enjoy after it has new life.
Thanks so much for your comment and I look forward to addressing it in a future video, if you don’t mind! I do have rare instances where I come across old uprights that appear to have been in a time capsule, but like anything pulled from a time capsule it doesn’t mean it’s escaped the aging process (as you apparently are realizing). These exceptionally rare finds like yours may tuneup well and even play reasonably for a time, but they are wildly more fragile and under the hands of someone that plays regularly, they are not durable and will inevitably start having expensive problems .. it’s something like putting your 90 year old grandma in a 5K race. She’s going to need an ambulance after the second block 😁
Thank you so much for this video, I was looking for an old $100 piano but now I know.
Glad I could help 🎹👍🏽
True for most upright pianos over 70 years old. However, occasionally, you can find ones this old that are still reasonable. Quite rare though.
I can't believe you're saying all those mean things about the piano right in front of it.
I’m sure the piano is relieved that somebody’s finally being truthful 😁
@@thepianoappraiser Yeah, it's like Put me out to pasture already
It probably wants a rest....
I believe i found a kohler and campbell 1905-06 upright piano, any advice?
Sorry, did not see your comment until just now Justin! I’m gonna get better at this 👍🏽 .. if you have an old piano like that you insist on considering, I would get a hold of a reputable piano technician local to you (and pay them for a consult) to go look at it for you first. Go here: www.PTG.org and put in your zip code to find a local piano technician. I would definitely NOT scoop that up without some professional eyes on it first!
Something like that old upright piano would be best left for someone to use as a project piano. The piano you show is one manufactured by Emerson which was a higher quality piano from the time it was manufactured. I would consider restoration. Once restored, you would have a very nice old upright piano.
alterman156 I agree, Emerson made a great piano, and restored, they sound really good.
Sorry for the late reply alterman156 .. it really is about the economics: How much are you will to spend on such a restoration? Or if you are in the trade, what kind of time would you be willing to invest in "restoration" that would make it a viable, trouble free instrument that could be enjoyed for years and decades to come? There was A LOT wrong with this piano! It is the rare exception, not the rule, for me as a full time piano technician to come across pianos of this vintage that are actually serviceable frankly. By the way, what does that word "restoration" even mean really? It is a term that I have heard used so loosely .. I am sure Emerson was a spectacular make of piano back in the day, but this piano was not well cared for through the years and it showed!
Think about it like this, if you were to buy a 1940s Ford coupe in similar condition and want to make it road worthy, you would have to be willing to spend perhaps thousands of dollars with someone skilled in such restorations. It would be the same for this piano.
You'll have to take my word for it - it was a musical corpse.
@@thepianoappraiser The important thing when it comes to any old piano is to have it evaluated. The old upright that you show in the video such as the Emerson is typical of a better grade piano manufactured during the first decade of the 20th century. Some people might find it worthwhile to restore an upright piano like the one in the video. Think of how much a better grade upright piano cost in let's say 1902 and translate that money into today's money. Something like the Emerson might have cost $500 in the day and that was a large sum of money in the day. Think of how much something like that piano could cost today brand new. Compare the overall quality of the Emerson upright to a typical spinet. There is no comparison. I would rather see a spinet piano of low quality thrown out rather than a large upright that was of better quality thrown out. Look at the construction quality of the old Emerson upright and compare it to a typical spinet like the Wurlitzer spinet that came into your shop at the time. There is basically no comparison between the two. The Wurlitzer spinet was ready to be brought to the dump. The old Emerson upright would be a project piano that could be a great instrument once again. I realize that opinions can differ, but the Emerson upright was a great deal better than the typical consumer grade pianos made after the end of World War II.
@@alterman156channelOk to restore as a hobby perhaps, but you could spend thousands on a piano that you couldn't sell for more than 1000 at best. Sentiment doesn't trump economics.
@@Clodhopping Keep in mind that the old upright piano that you showed in the video (Emerson) was a higher quality piano when it was manufactured. No spinet cannot measure up to that old upright when it was new or still in good enough condition. Think of how much money it sold for when it was new. Think of how much a comparable new upright of the same quality would retail for at the present time (2023). If I had to choose between saving the old upright and saving a typical spinet, I would choose the old upright and put the spinet in the dumpster. Spinet pianos have no place in the marketplace these days with perhaps the exception of a Baldwin Acrosonic that is still in good enough condition and perhaps a few others. I despise the spinet pianos in the most part since they are simply miserable instruments to work on and they generally sound miserable.
These old clunkers were mass produced in their day. The fact they're still vaguely playable is a miracle. But as you say, they're mostly junk. Even tuned with new dampers and felts, they don't usually sound great.
Video host looks similar to the Brigham Larson Piano Rival, but this guy is more muscular.
My current piano is a Story and Clark upright from the 70's and every attempt to tune/fix it always fails/falls out of tune within a day for some reason.
I have a webpage for piano service you might want to look at: www.pianoserviceandrepair I discuss in that information things that can cause a piano struggle to hold a tune. You might want also try a different piano technician next time you’re due for a tune too. You might have a different result with someone who is perhaps more skilled or uses a different technique for bringing a piano to pitch. Hope that helps 🎹👍🏽
What if it's been restored?
Anthony! It all depends on how “restored” is defined. What has been explained in regards to its restoration?
Hello, I have an old upright piano that dates back too approximately 104 years old. It is out of tune by two keys, and I was wondering, could it be tuned, or would I have to replace the strings first?
That would be a great question to ask a local, qualified piano technician that can evaluate its condition.
I have 1890s and they tuned it pretty well
If the pitch has dropped two tones then it's unlikely it would ever hold concert pitch. The pins might not hold the tension and you'll likely snap a few strings trying to get it there. Pianos do best when they're kept up at concert pitch and tuned regularly. They don't really recover from years of neglect. The whole instrument is under tension and likes to give kept that way.
someone offered me an old upright for free. Solhould I take it? trying to put my daughter in music class and dont have the money to buy one?
King of slots MILLION: I would not recommend you pick up any piano for “free” without a reputable Piano Technician looking at it first. I would search someone out local to you, pay their fee to go look at it, and make sure it is a viable instrument. As the video betrays, picking up an old piano can be sketch.
U know, all have life spend but if you care about it, this can be forever. We have 50 yo ibach upright and the restauration cost about 12000 with tex it is my father's piano and worth about 1000 € but have sentimental value to me. Ibach was compered with steinways and meny more and faunded in 1794.so is it worth 11k extra? Yes ofc. Great video btw
Ivan! I really couldn't help you without seeing the piano and seeing what kind of shape it is in. I would get a referral to a local, trusted, piano technician and see what kind of evaluation they may be able to give you.
@@thepianoappraiser it is in germany i live in Croatia i ca send yo some images when i com to Germany
@@ivanfrangugic8355 .. Croatia! What a wonderful place and super tasty beer! Visited there this past Summer. On the matter of your piano, I would not be able to give you any solid advice about the piano from just pictures. There is a lot that goes into evaluating a piano. You really need to look up someone up that can come evaluate it for you that is in the local area where the piano is. It shouldn't be too hard to find someone. I would look for good online reviews, maybe call a larger piano dealer, local concert venue or even a piano teacher for a referral for someone reputable. Sorry I can not be of more help than that!
Why are these antique upright pianos so worthless? I can't give mine away. Granted, my sister got it probably free... 30 years ago... been taking up space ever since. I'm about to take a sledgehammer to it... just hate to do it to something that survived 100 years intact... but your video tells me... yeah... :-/
How much did they pay for these types of pinaos back in the day when they were new? I bet if instead they had put that money in a bank account or investments, it'd be a nice little snowball today... esp... stock market. If they paid the equivalent of like $2,000 for one of these... 10% over 100 years...
I just punched in $2,000 at 10% for 100 years.... $27 million dollars.
I do service a lot of very old pianos, but you can tell just by how they sound that the soundboard is tired (lost its crown and capacity for volume) and it is a mere shadow of what it must have sounded like when it was newer. A piano is ultimately a music making piece of equipment .. if they are not maintained, as the piano makers intend with service and tuning a couple times a year, they will deteriorate just like anything else mechanical. When pianos get to the point of being “elderly” they become fragile and do have a lot of problems. They are made of wood and held together with hide glue. Unlike any other thing one might buy, a good quality piano can last for decades IF it is looked after appropriately.
@@thepianoappraiser Well I guess I sawsall this one then, and a pool table that's also taking up space at the same time. I'm sure both of these were all the rage in the 1800's, but they are hopeless obsolete in 20221.
Since we have a kitchen cabinet shop, I hate to do it because I know how much work and time and labor went into making both, and that they sboth survived for so long... but I need the space to set up an electronics working area for my FPV quadcopter hobby. OUt with the old, in with the new.
The older I get, the less I want big unwieldy heavy things around at all. They become... kind of... abominations. pianos, pool tables... yeah... both horrible ideas of things to bring into your home... I found that out when I brought three ultralight airplanes home, and one of them lived in my living room for a while.
Just cutting up both of them into carryable parts that can be thrown in a dumpster or into the woods... is going to be one serious PITA job. When you get old, just feeding yourself and taking a shower every day becomes a chore... destroying a piano was not a job I signed on for, but it's a problem and has never been a solution to anything since we got it. If a musician is not going to want it free, then, yeah, it's fate is sealed.
Both of my these my sister got free 30 years ago, so... no love lost.
@@thepianoappraiser Why did they put ivory on the key (caps?) I'm sure my mass produced probably does not have it, but still, what functional purpose would that serve at all? Was it just some weird vanity one upmanship outdo the other manufacturers kind of thing?
An Ivory tusk is curved and hollow I imagine... I don't even know how they would do that... wood you can steam and bend, but bone, esp one curved like a tusk... you'll never flatten it out? And even so, how many usable key surfaces could you get out of one tusk???
Unless I'm mistaken and the ivory was used elsewhere in the piano, or not at all, and it was just a figure of speach. I'm thinking it must of been a figure of speach...