Old Rose Wood Piano Needs Woodworker to Give it New Life

[jademasi]

Looking for a place to sell a late 1800's square grand piano. Piano is not longer of musical value but is made of beautiful rose wood. It has carved legs, music stand and foot pedals. Could be made into a handsome piece of furniture. Hoping to sell this item to a woodworker.

 

[creasman]

Please post where (city) the piano is located and the asking price.

 

[jademasi]

Piano is located in Chapel Hill. Asking $1350. Here are a few more photos.

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[Roy G]

I don't know what the regulations are but those keys might be ivory. Best to check it out.

Roy G

 

[FredP]

I bet Ernie can make it musical again. He has a talent for that sort of thing.

 

[jademasi]

Thank you Roy G. I did not realize the piano could not be sold with the ivory keys. The keyboard will be removed and the keys will be donated to a piano restorer.

 

[kserdar]

I have been told that some of the selling ivory issues have gotten better ... Not from personal experience.

 

[Douglas Robinson]

Technically, ivory piano keys are not illegal, but the trade of ivory is heavily regulated. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates the trade of ivory.

 

[jademasi]

I guess it will require further research. Thank you everyone for your help!

Any ideas on where I could find someone interested in taking on this project of turning this beautiful piano into a piece of furniture?

 

[ScottM]

I guess it will require further research. Thank you everyone for your help!

Any ideas on where I could find someone interested in taking on this project of turning this beautiful piano into a piece of furniture?

There is a member, ErnieM, who might be a source. I sent him a message. Hopefully he will respond soon.

 

[zdorsch]

Any ideas on where I could find someone interested in taking on this project of turning this beautiful piano into a piece of furniture?

FB marketplace seems to be a good place for advertising.

 

[jademasi]

I have not had any bites at the $1350 asking price. What would be a reasonable price to entice someone to take on this piano project?

 

[Craptastic]

It is likely those keys are ivory. I believe exceptions are granted for antique musical instruments but you will need to research further.

Get a blacklight and shine it on the keys. If they glow then it's likely ivory. There are other tests but that's the least destructive.

And what makes the piano unplayable? Cracked soundboard? Bad mechanicals?

 

[tri4sale]

I have not had any bites at the $1350 asking price. What would be a reasonable price to entice someone to take on this piano project?

we've not been able to give away (free) pianos we've come across over the years unfortunately.

 

[zdorsch]

I have not had any bites at the $1350 asking price. What would be a reasonable price to entice someone to take on this piano project?

Did you check out what pianos are going for on marketplace or Craigslist for comparables?

I ask because pricing for pianos that I’ve seen tends to be disproportionate to the quality of lumber/craftsmanship of the piece.

 

[creasman]

And what makes the piano unplayable? Cracked soundboard? Bad mechanicals?

I have the same questions. That is a beautiful piano. Can it be fixed?

 

[jademasi]

The going price for a square grand piano is free to 10's of thousands of dollars depending upon condition.

The piano interior was restored decades ago by someone who did not do a very good job. I would go so far as to say my parents got swindled. The sound board is not cracked as far as a know. Many of the keys play - the ones that do not play have a problem with the hammers. During a move my mom lost the hardware to attach the foot pedal and lift the top.

The wood and carvings are lovely which is why I am interested in finding a woodworker to make something beautiful from it. Give it a new life.

 

[fjdog]

Those legs are screaming billiards table!

 

[jademasi]

Indeed they are!!! Would be a fabulous billiards table!

 

[Wilsoncb]

It looks like it could be made into a craps table. Unfortunately that would probably not make it any more desirable.