Selling Your Piano

Let's start with the hard news: selling your piano will be tough.

Even though pianos are substantial pieces of furniture and make wonderful music, piano buyers want their piano in new condition, or made by a very recognizable brand.

The "Golden Era" and Brands that Retain Value

Piano manufacturing and popularity were at their height just before World War II. Pianos made between 1900 and 1940 – especially in the 1920's – are often considered to have a distinctive quality which reflects that period. After the World War, manufacturing techniques and changes in the consumer market moved the piano world in to a new period.

Steinway pianos have the strongest resale value. They simply have the longest-running reputation for manufacturing high-quality pianos. Other strong brands rise and fall, but Steinway has been doing this reliably for over 100 years.

Other recognizable vintage brands include Chickering, Mason & Hamlin, and Knabe. These manufacturers were strong Steinway competitors in times past. Other brands such as Baldwin, Sohmer, Bosendofer, Ibach, Wurlitzer, Yamaha and Kawai are currently well-recognized. This recognizabliity can help a piano sell.

What's My Piano Worth?

Strong Value

You may be able to get several thousand dollars if any of the following is true of your piano:

It's a Steinway
It's a major brand made in the 1970's or later
It's a major brand made earlier than the 70's, but has been professionally restored

Weak Value

If your piano is old or not an easily recognized brand, it's probably worth well under $1,000. If you've never heard of your piano's brand, chances are excellent that no one else has either. It'll be tough to make much money on it.

Considerations

A common misconception is that an old piano will have value as an antique. Sadly, simply being old doesn't make it valuable. This is true of pretty much any object that's old. Antiques only have value if collectors want them, and collectors are usually looking for very particular and rare features.

Pianos are big and heavy. Moving then is obviously an inconvenience. This affects a piano's value. A professional mover could charge up to $1,000, and since common pianos are worth $1,000 or less, these offset each other. Many people discover that they have to give their piano away just to get it out of the house, and even then they have a hard time finding any takers!

We'll need you to give us specific information about the piano using our form: Inquire About Selling a Piano

Sell Us a Piano

Inquire About Moving a Piano

Salutation:

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Phone:

Upright or Grand?:

Upright

Grand

Pick Up Location

City:

State:

Delivery Location

City:

State:

Additional Comments:

How many steps are involved in place of pick up and in place of delivery:

Request a Restoration Estimate

We're happy to estimate the cost of restoring your piano. To get started, tell us how to get in touch with you:

Salutation:

First Name:

Last Name:

Phone:

Email: *

Piano Type:

Upright

Grand

Please share any remarks or questions you'd like to send along with your estimate request.

We'd like to send you our Information Kit. Ok

To get started, we only need the basic contact details above. But to reliably estimate your restoration, we'll eventually need to get some details about your piano. You can sumbit your request now and come back later to provide that information, or you can provide it right away.

Would you like to provide the piano details now? Yes

Inquire About Selling Us a Piano

Thanks for considering us as a potential buyer for your piano.

Salutation:

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Day Phone:

Evening Phone:

Mobile Phone:

Address Line 1:

Address Line 2:

City:

State:

ZIP:

Country:

How did you find us?:

Piano Details

Make of Piano:

e.g. Steinway

Category:

Type of Wood:

Style:

Year it was built:

Approx. Budget:

Serial Number:

The serial number is typically a 5 or 6 digit number located on the harp of the piano.

Size:

Enter the length for a grand piano, height for an upright.

Please explain the current condition of the piano and what work you'd like to have done on it. Please explain the current condition of the piano. Also if any work has been done please specify what has been done:

Photographs are important in helping us determine the condition of your piano.

If you do not have photographs available, please submit the form anyhow we'll follow up with you.

Close-up shots of the internal parts are especially important. The more detailed photographs, the better we can assess your piano. Please upload your photos below by clicking "Browse" and select the file. Once you have selected all your files/photos, click "Submit".

Upload Image: