Why we don't sell spinets: problems with repair, touch, and tone
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
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As a spinet owner I can definitely relate, I wish I had known better before I purchased it, I was dazzled by the low cost and have been paying for it ever since!
This is a good point. Quite often the reason why they are purchased we hope this video can help people make that decision with more knowledge. Happy playing!
i would have bought it too if I were a technician with a shop, if nothing more than to fully restore and preserve a piece of history, maybe upgrade the action to replace any plastic parts for durability, while keeping the original spinet tone. They definitely are a very perculiar period in piano history. Very nice video and demo.
There is a market for quality American pianos but when it comes to perfecting pianos it takes a long time to adjust them spinets present extra challenges and unfortunately the market isn’t willing to pay for the extra work, the sell for less and cost more in time and labor to prepare. And results wise a Baldwin console will play much better and sound much better (in most cases) to a piano that will sell for half its difficult to justify. However if we get one in like new condition of course we will adjust and sell knowing it will serve someone for a while longer. It’s sad but the quality isn’t as good and we aren’t as keen on them as good superior uprights.
I have a lovey spinet made by Estey 1969 anniversary edition. I love it and still play it often.
I would recommend a high quality digital piano or keyboard over a spinnet. Sounds better (IMO), and easier to move.
Thank you for this James we would also like to suggest a Baldwin console, or British upright before a spinet. The maintenance for the tuner is much simpler for the tuner. Thank you for sharing. Evan
@@RobertsPianosHouston True, if the person can afford it, an acoustic piano (if it's not a spinner) will win every time.
All good points. But what i found missing in the video and the comments is how easily they go out of tune. The shorter strings are more susceptible to variation in tenson from weather acting on the soundboard crown. The extra windings on the strings especially the bass make for a tubby, tinny sound. They overall suffer from being designed first as furniture, to make them palatable to take up room in a house, then having to shoehorn a musical instrument into said cabinet.
Great points Carl thank you for sharing about string length and tuning issues.
I knew a church that had a spinet donated to it, which was placed in the church basement for use at functions. The spinet quickly went out of tune as the church, to save energy and money, did not regulate the temperature of the area except when in use. Such an environment is a good use case for a decent digital piano.
Since I wrote that OP I have acquired a Yamaha digital piano. It has spoiled me as it is always perfectly in tune! I don't use my upright anymore.
There are so many taller uprights available these days which can be voiced and regulated and maybe new hammers and provide more value than fixing a spinet. The sound is so much more usable and just comforting and pleasant to sit at and work with as a musician than a spinet.
Thank you Charles, I agree that taller upright have a larger tone, and are much easier to work good points. It's hard to perfect spinets. Some of them can have a pleasant sound ER
Roberts Pianos Houston There's actually the RCA Storytone Electric Spinet Piano which uses Pickups and plugs into an amp.
Hi Oscar thank you for your message I don’t think this one had a electric piano component to it just mechanical keys and action. That’s an interesting insight, I’m curious to see one with one installed. Thanks for the information. Evan
I wouldn't throw away a piano just because the bass bridge cap is coming off. It can be reglued. The piano that you showed which was a 40" Baldwin Acrosonic isn't quite as difficult to service as a typical 36" or 37" spinet since the action is not as far below the level of the keys as a typical 36" or 37" spinet. Also those pianos sounded decent considering. Outside of the Baldwin Acrosonics, almost all other spinet pianos are generally entry level pianos where the quality is lacking. The materials were often of a low grade and these pianos are generally quite difficult to service. Also spinets do not have a place in the piano market these days. One is better off with a direct action console at the minimum. The best thing to do with most spinets that are unplayable is to repurpose them into something else. One would do better to salvage an old large upright piano of a good brand from the period. Those sounded much better and were also much better made.
Thank you for sharing the information ok reglueing. As a tuner this would make sense on a piano in good condition. For us it was a decision I made on this piano knowing that the client would have to deal with issues down the line servicing it with good technicians and believe that in most cases from this experience we won’t service spinets. It’s the harder labor for lower income, with worse final results. Reduced key length - inadequate touch, shorter soundboard and bass strings - inferior tone. The problem of find a good technician. In the end of the day I decided based on this piano that in most cases for us it’s best to serve clients selling consoles on up. As many tuners are unhappy regulating them and servicing them when they are busy with other work. I really appreciate your sharing your thoughts and experience with the community. I think we’re on the same page. Evan
I think in the US, the Spinet became popular around the same time as small home organs. A fairly good-looking piece of furniture, small, relatively easy to move. Now, they're literally a dime a dozen on the internet. I have a Kimball Whitney from around 1970. It's still in excellent condition. I got it free. One of my customers was happy to get rid of it.. it holds tuning pretty well. I'm starting to experience a couple of keys sticking. It's not the action, but definitely the key.
It's fun to play.
That’s good they can be fun to play when on new or reconditioned
Spinet Pianos have a unique sound that distinguishes them from most Upright Pianos, very Ragtimey.
That’s true they do have a different sound to uprights good point. Some people may be after this sound. We do find the touch to be more precise on consoles and uprights. Thank you for sharing!
@@RobertsPianosHouston Spinet Pianos really could use improvements so that they have a more precise touch.
I love my 1956 Baldwin acrosonic. In great condition. I paid $99.00 on eBay sight unseen. My piano tuner told I a bargain was worth $1,800.00. Is I understand you have to find the buyer and I realistically know that’s not gonna happen. But I’ve got my $99 worth out of it. Go Baldwin!! 🎹
The acrosonic is the best spinet I’ve seeen usually has a warm tone. Still shares issue of shorter key length and short strings and soundboard. However in great shape can sound lovely
Piano snobbery is real and techs should not turn their nose up at a customers instrument if it is of reputable make and fixable. I would recommend that Acro-sonic console be fixed over recommending any number of cheaply made new pianos. Gluing a bridge cap back on is no big deal, nor is removing an Acro-sonic action.
The acrosonic does sound better than most spinets however as a pianist the leverage and lack of tonal color and clarity I have seen people pay $500-700 for a spinet then $300-500 for delivery add a full regulation of strings and grommets etc a few hundred more you can buy a young Chang upright or similar quality. I made this video after seeing a family buy a spinet for a total of close to a thousand dollars. The pins were loose they could have bought a Baldwin console or similar. Hopefully it helps people avoid buying. I tuned an acrosonic last week I wouldn’t say it was a good piano for the teacher teaching with it but I served her explained options for upgrading. It’s all about guiding people something that will be more enjoyable to play mechanically and tonally rather than looking down on a spinet a young pianist cut their teeth on
My Acrosonic has been a great musical companion for the past five years, but the time has come to move houses and I don’t think the instrument is worth the move investment. It’s hard to let it go, but I am optimistic a true upright or console will be a better long-term solution.
I would recommend the upgrade touch wise and improved tone
I have a spinet. I would never recommend someone to buy one or gift one. I have a Baldwin acrosonic. It is not terrible and in my opinion way better than a digital. The mid range is nice and the treble sings nicely. The bass is well, terrible. The bass has decent power but almost no warmth or clarity. The tenor tends to be quite buzzy. It needs to be regulated so the action has a lot of play.
They can be nice when in good condition, no new parts needed. And occasionally the tone can be pleasant, if you have it checked by a technician and it needs basic regulation this too can be a good choice in some cases rather than replacing. Wishing you much joy from your playing. Evan Roberts
Hi Robert! Great to come accross your video! I have been stucked for literally 3 months trying to reinstall the guide rail of an Acrosonic. Can you share a method that would facilitate the process? i have the action outside the piano and having no luck in resolving the issue.unfortunately that was not covered in class. I contacted you earlier by e mail and hope that you respond soon before i get fired by my client.
The only way I’ve know to replace the guide rail has been one elbow at a time and slowly making sure none at the other end are stopping the rail from coming down. Hope this helps. Evan Roberts
This scared me. I am in the market for a spinet and will be willing to pay for a complete restoration. Its the perfect instrument for the music I make. Do you think a fully restored spinet could work well for 15-20 years?
When spinets are fully restored by a good team and you’ve had it checked by a technician they can be good. However in the overall life of a piano tuners are less likely to carry out basic repairs on them so I would general favor a console or upright
A full restoration will cost a lot of money. If you’re thinking restringing
Replacing action parts
Rebushing keys
And regulation of the action.
Don’t forget new hammers.
I think you’re thinking reconditioning.
@@TM-jo4wz thanks a lot. I ended up landing a 1930's Mason and Risch mini piano which is a spinnet. An older lady was giving it away for free. I had a piano tech look at it, and he confirmed it was surprisingly in excellent condition. He made a lot of adjustments and tuned it twice, and it's been working great so far. I actually have a good number of recordings on my RUclips channel with it. I will continue to love it and see how it does.
spinet piano, as I heard, when it was developed, it was targeted to singles, like people who can't afford to buy or don't have enough space to put a regular piano. they sold shit ton of these and tuners still struggle with these.
It's a shame that Spinets are so prevalent in the US market, in the UK they were replaced with European style uprights the smaller slanted cabinet design, with a much better action design, tone, and touch (longer keys). I wonder how both markets were so different.
The most important tools in my toolbox for spinets is a sledge hammer and a chain saw. It is the most efficient way to dismantle them. It is impossible to put them back together again, but who would want to do that.
It’s a shame very many pianos were made with these designs in the US. We do repair them for customers but when worn recommend replacing instead of restoring.
I don't understand why they would make something like these. Stickerless pianos are better and not much larger. At least you can remove the action for repairs easier. And of course the soundboard is too small. Then you got people taking the fronts off the piano thinking it sounds better but you need the wood fronts to make better sound. The lid is the only thing that should be lifted but not all the way off. I like the concert grand type of uprights they have a larger sound board and the action requires stickers so the hammers are more raised on the strings. The one I had sounded like a concert grand. Even player pianos that are tuned sound like a concert grand. But I do think when the player part is removed the piano sounds better. I like moms piano it even had a loud pedal lever. It's just a damper pedal that piano teachers don't like students calling the damper pedal the loud pedal. Go figure. 73
I have a 1999 Kawai UST8 46" acoustic studio piano that I purchased last summer. It has a heavy touch & an annoying noisy, percussive action as the keys are released. The Yamaha P22 that I play daily has a much lighter quick responsive touch & a very quiet action. Any advice on my Kawai would be much appreciated. Thank you!
Hi Terry thank you for your message my thought would be. First of all it’s difficult to tell without seeing the piano however the weight is most likely reducible by lubricating the keys. The noise may possibly be the bridal strap wire clicking each other (just a possibility not sure without seeing). Touch weight can be modified by lubricating the balance rail with teflon or talc. And sometimes protek on the hammer flange and cleaning the capstains
Thank you! I live in a very rural area of southwest Ìowa & tuners are hard to come by in my area. There is only one tuner in my area & all he can do is tune. He's only been doing it for about a year & regulating is beyond his capabilities. For a better technician, I have to get someone out of Omaha & they don't like to drive an hour & a half one way to come to my house. I hate to get rid of the Kawai because it has an excellent mellow sound, but it's not much fun to play because of it's issues with touch & noisy action. Don't know what to do other than trade it for a Yamaha P22...
A UST is an excellent piano if in good shape
The big problem I see is convincing non pianists about spinets. My parents got us a spinet believing this is all the piano we need and it was only about $1000 USD. We recently gave it away for free since it needed regulation and was impossible to sell at any price point. They believe large pianos are only for established concert pianists. I’m hoping to get a grand to succeed our old spinet someday.
Thank you for sharing your story. This is exactly why I did this video. Even though I know it might cause some disagreement for those who repair them, in most if not the majority of cases the students are better off with an upright piano. Good luck finding one that works for you. Evan
Not to mention spinits have a dreadful sound.
Good point Roger, the soundboard size, and string length, not helping here. We have also found some clicking noises on some models with the rubber grommets. Which is a common problem. Wurlitzer and Acrosonic models are slightly better, however, they still have the issue of repairability.
From what I understand, they invented the spinet during great depression so that they could take 1 soundboard, cut it in half, and viola, 2 new pianos. They can then sell each at 60% of the price of a new upright.
Thank you for the information that’s very interesting
To me off a piano is still playing and sound good i aint throwing it out ha
We appreciate those who service spinets as it’s much needed we do repair them on the road as well and don’t want this to sound elitist. However when selling or giving full restoration quotes we do recommend upgrading to an upright for longer keys (more control), longer strings (better tone), easier repair for the technician, and a larger soundboard. But if you have one in great condition we happily service them. Hope this helps. Evan
Spinet pianos don't even sound good trash pianos
Sometimes they can be in like new condition and be fine for starting on. For advanced playing or even serious study and enjoyment we would recommend a console or beyond. In some cases an acrosonic in like new hardly used condition can be fine for private use. But the difficulty comes when repairing or fixing and issues.