CHAPTER 11
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Resources

Knowledge is Power
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There are many resources available for every aspect of owning a piano. We’ve assembled a few of them by categories to assist you along the way. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list, but a helpful starting point. Most of the websites provide additional links to even more resources. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.

General Piano Information

http://www.pianoworld.com

This site provides information about piano lessons, tuners, dealers, teachers, movers, and more. It includes nearly 1000 pages of facts, figures, fun, forums, games, pictures, reviews and reference material. It’s a good place to start when you’re just getting started.

Buying or Selling a Piano

The Internet is full of opportunities to buy and sell pianos. Here are a few we recommend.

http://www.ebay.com
http://www.craigslist.org 
http://www.pianoworld.com/exchange.htm 
http://www.pianomart.com

Piano Mart is owned and operated by a registered piano technician. It sells a variety of piano accessories with money back guarantees and offers a place to buy and sell pianos. It also features a free escrow service to protect both the buyer and seller in the transaction.

Determining a Piano's Value

The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano by Larry Fine
As probably the most well-known and authoritative resource in the industry, Fine’s book covers nearly everything you need to know about buying, selling and caring for a piano. It includes in-depth information about various makes, models and brands along with differences in quality and price.

It can be purchased online at Amazon.com and Larry’s own site: http://www.pianobook.com

Annual Supplement to The Piano Book by Larry Fine
This updated version gives current "list" prices for more than 4,000 new piano models and general advice on how to estimate actual "street prices."

Blue Book of Pianos http://www.bluebookofpianos.com

Published for over forty-five years, the information they provide is used by libraries, retailers, factories, salespeople, music teachers and auction houses. And their new and used piano prices are used as a benchmark by technicians and appraisers.

Acquiring a Restored Vintage Piano or Having Your Piano Restored

 Lindeblad Piano Restoration - http://www.lindebladpiano.com

A fully restored vintage piano is an economical alternative to buying a new piano and an investment that retains its value. Lindeblad Piano Restoration has restored popular brands like Steinway, Mason-Hamlin, Knabe, Chickering and others through 4 generations of a family business.

We have an inventory of completely restored vintage pianos you can browse through on our site that are ready for immediate delivery. And we have others in stock that we’ll customize for you. 

But there’s other great information available on the site too. You can sign up to receive our newsletter that contains advice, tips and other interesting stories. And you can network with others by participating in our discussion forum.

Locating a Qualified Piano Technician

Need your piano tuned or other repair work? Word of mouth recommendations are often the most reliable. So start by asking piano dealers, music stores and other music professionals in your area for their recommendations.

Another good source is the Piano Technicians Guild found online at: http://www.ptg.org
Its mission is to promote the highest possible standards of piano service by providing members with opportunities for professional development, by recognizing technical competence through examinations and by advancing the interests of its members.

The site will provide you with a list of qualified technicians in your area through a simple zip code search.

The Resources page is designed for tuners, technicians, teachers and pianists. You’ll also find information on piano care and maintenance, piano history and piano competitions around the world. 

Do-it-Yourself Service and Repair

Piano Servicing, Tuning and Rebuilding by Arthur A. Reblitz—If you’re a hands-on person, this illustrated how to book will lead you through the nuts and bolts of piano servicing, repair and even complete rebuilding. It’s written for the professional, the student and the hobbyist. You can buy online here.

The Piano Owner’s Home Companion by Steven R. Snyder—This book is written specifically for the layman. It covers basic care along with how to make some minor repairs using simple, easy to understand language along with helpful illustrations.  You can buy it online here.  

Obtaining Parts or Tools

http://www.balaams-ass.com

This professional piano technician sells parts, tools and instruction manuals for piano repair and tuning. You’ll also find tips, advice, a little down home humor and links to other resources.