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Across the Fence:  Advice looking for a piano  |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 9:43:36 PM
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We are looking for an inexpensive OLD used upright piano and I just wondered if any of you have tips for what I should look for. We are on a shoestring budget and I have seen several ads but since I am NOT musically inclined I am not sure what to look for. My two girls have been taking lessons for two and three years and they deserve better than the keyboard they have been getting by with all this time...and we have enough coming as a bonus to get one. I just don't want to screw up and waste the money. Any tips would be appreciated. I say we are getting an old upright since that is the style that would look right in our house..the only style I would consider..now that you see what is important to ME..help!!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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faithymom
True Blue Farmgirl
360 Posts
Faith
Sandpoint
ID
USA
360 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 9:49:56 PM
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Hmmm...I'd make sure to look at the inside and check the hammers. I think you can just lift the top and check it out, in addition to trying each individual key to make sure it strikes...I have a friend who got an upright for free, but they haven't had the money to fix it because some of the hammers need replacing along with it needing to be tuned...
Good luck!
Faith
"All television is educational television. The only question is, what is it teaching?"-Fmr. FCC Commissioner Nicholas Johnson |
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Nancy Gartenman
True Blue Farmgirl
9093 Posts
Nancy
West Seneca
New York
USA
9093 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 04:32:39 AM
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When you go to look at a piano take someone with you that knows about pianos. Music teacher, someone with lots of music background, someone that tunes pianos,etc. The smaller spinets are nice. I had a betsy ross spinnet when I lived at home, that was a really nice piano. We got it second hand. That would fit into your decor with no problem.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
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MustangSuzie
True Blue Farmgirl
634 Posts
Sarah
New London
Missouri
USA
634 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 06:42:01 AM
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I would carefully consider getting an old upright. They are heavy and monstous in size. And it seems like they are kind of hard to get rid of when you want something different. My parents got mine (many moons ago...sheesh i'm gettin old lol) at a scratch and dent sale that a music store was having. It is a Kimball console and was very reasonable. I'm sure if you put the word out and keep your eye peeled you'll find a nice affordable one. They aren't too expensive to tune....any time they are moved they should be tuned. You might look on ebay or go to local auctions in your area, that would be a great place to find a good one.
Sarah |
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katie-ell
True Blue Farmgirl
1818 Posts
Katie
Illinois
1818 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 07:17:16 AM
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| What about placing a 'piano wanted' ad in your local paper? Could be someone has an old upright that they no longer use and would be happy to have it sold/given to a couple of piano-playing girls!! |
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country lawyer
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
1022 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 07:20:03 AM
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Aunt Jenny, I have to agree with Sarah. These old pianos are so difficult to maintain and a real bear to keep in tune. Yes, they are pretty, but they'll drive ya crazy. The keys are usually so inconsistent in touch, it's hard to learn to play well. I haven't priced pianos in forever, but surely there are some good, used, reasonably-priced ones around. I remember buying my first piano for $50.00. It was beautiful. It was carved mahagony. It was horrible! It weighed about a million pounds and wouldn't hold pitch. Each note had a different touch...some required a heavy finger them, others a light touch. I was playing the piano for a church and boy, was it hard to practice on that! Also, if you find a good used one, do take someone with you who knows pianos. It would be so easy to make a mistake on this kind of purchase.
"The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time."
James Taylor
www.ragstoroses.blogspot.com
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Bridge
True Blue Farmgirl
814 Posts
Bridgette
Southern
Indiana
USA
814 Posts |
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summerbreeze
True Blue Farmgirl
277 Posts
Laura
WA
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 09:29:00 AM
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Hi Jenny,
I know this is going to sound a little nuts nut do you know any Realtors??? I sell Real Estate in my area and I have to find homes for 5-6 piano's a year. It seems many people don't want to move them and the new buyer never seems to want them. I am always looking for someone to take a piano, pool table or one of those large wood play structures.
I don't know if they have the same problem in your area. Estate sales are also a great way to find a piano.
Laura
You only live once,if you do it right once is enough. |
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summerbreeze
True Blue Farmgirl
277 Posts
Laura
WA
USA
277 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 09:37:51 AM
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Jenny,
I can't remember what part of Utah you are in. I have a very dear friend in Farmington UT. Is that far from you. Denise usually know everyone in her area. If she is not too far from you I will find out if she knows anyone with a piano. She would also be a great person for you to talk to about what to look for in a piano.
Laura
You only live once,if you do it right once is enough. |
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pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 11:40:06 AM
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I have a small "spinet" piano. Wultizer.
I brought mine from a lady who's daughter decieded she didn't like piano after all.
It was only a year old. It was $900.00
I have had it around 12 maybe a little longer years.
I knew it was for me because the girl was learning gospel music and classical. and her first name was Sheila.
Her Mom couldn't believe that my first name was Sheila.
I practied some gospel and classical songs on it before I brought it from her
She said she had prayed that the person who was buying it played gossipal and classical. 
It has a really rich sound. It does need tuning though
We are soon going to build our retirment home and I thought that I would wait until we got moved ; because it is like $100.00 or so to have it tuned. Good luck at purchasing yours. pinkrose |
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MustangSuzie
True Blue Farmgirl
634 Posts
Sarah
New London
Missouri
USA
634 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 12:22:23 PM
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| I didn't pay over $60 the last time I had mine tuned. |
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Miss Bee Haven
True Blue Farmgirl
4331 Posts
Janice
Louisville/Irvington
Kentucky
USA
4331 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 12:22:55 PM
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Is there a listing in your phone book for piano tuners? My boss suggested that they often know of people wanting to sell a piano and that if you told him that you were planning to use him to tune it, you might find something that way.
"If you think you've got it nailed down, then what's all that around it?" - 'Brother Dave' Gardner |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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pinkroses
True Blue Farmgirl
2350 Posts
Sheila
Virginia
USA
2350 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 3:22:16 PM
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I think that over $1000.000 would be considered high.
You can often find good pianos in the paper.
I found mine which was only 1 year old when I brought it from the lady.
We have a trading post paper too. You might check there. pinkroses |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 3:35:12 PM
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a few hundred is my definition of inexpensive for sure.
Thanks so much for all your suggestions..I am going to be really looking here in the next couple weeks and all your ideas will help for sure.
Laura...Farmington is about 3 hours (at least)north of us. That would sure be the way to go though...some people just seem to know everyone!!
Realtors..what a great idea!! I will have to check that out! Someone here in town suggested that maybe people who work at the church buildings may know of churches getting new pianos and selling old ones too. I will ask my girl's piano teacher for a piano tuner's name for sure when I take the girls on Weds. for their lessons.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 4:17:35 PM
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Jenny -- if it were me I'd forget the upright for all the reasons everyone else has mentioned. I would look for a spinet. That's what I hope to get someday. I learned on an upright and it was constantly out of tune, keys stuck, etc. After two years my mom got rid of it for a spinet. That's what I had until I got married. My husband had a piano also so we sold mine and kept his. Then when we got divorced guess who got the piano?? I haven't had one since but hope to again some day soon. Let us know what you decide to do! This is exciting.
The Rustic Cottage Etsy Shop http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
http://nwfarmerette.blogspot.com
http://rcpicaday.blogspot.com
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands -Proverbs 31:13
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 5:08:37 PM
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oooooooooooh...I have an idea..I should have Kate look up in her area!! Then I have an excuse to go up there too...haha. I think you gals are right and I shouldn't be so set on an upright. I do want it to be a good working piano for the girls and some of them are cute and the extra space would be good in this little old house. I will keep an open mind.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2007 : 5:27:12 PM
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Thanks Sunshine...I have been watching KSL.com. I check there for animal ads and thought of them first. You never know what you will find there.
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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bramble
True Blue Farmgirl
2044 Posts
2044 Posts |
Posted - Jan 15 2007 : 07:41:45 AM
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Jenny- Have you checked Freecycle.com ? Sometimes people are giving away amazing things ! Like pianos! I will weigh in on the side of the smaller spinet piano. I grew up with a "disconnected" player piano that we "inherited" from a family business and it was always out of tune, repairs were costly due to obsolete parts and it weighed a ton! Yes it looked good but...now I know better! We couldn't even find a piano mover willing to move it the last time so it stayed behind! BOOO... but it was enormous and like a battleship! Good luck on the hunt, you'll find something!
with a happy heart |
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Across the Fence: Advice looking for a piano |
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Advice looking for a piano
