Value of an old steinway vertical

llafargue llafargue@charter.net
Wed, 21 Apr 2004 08:04:27 -0500


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I have 2 Steinway uprights (early 1900's) and plan to inject water thin
optical epoxy (EPOTEK), redrill and restring.  I have done this on
several uprights and grands where replacing was not an option.  Works
great.  Nice feel.
 
Lance Lafargue, RPT
LAFARGUE PIANOS
New Orleans Chapter, PTG
985.72P.IANO
llafargue@charter.net
 
-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Bdshull@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 12:31 PM
To: caut@ptg.org
Subject: Re: Value of an old steinway vertical
 
Hi Ed, 

I agree with Dale about this.  Here in Southern California an 1890's
Steinway upright might still have a decent pinblock if the piano lived
in this climate most of its life, similar to the piano Dale restored.  A
few real clean examples exist, valuing those is tough since they are so
nice, and should fetch more, perhaps quite a bit more.... 

Original bass strings can be incredible on a Steinway, with even the
steel-wound strings coming out great after turning, a rare event for
that type of winding.   

Yes, "ebonized" was common in 19th century pianos, if the plate is clean
and undamaged the word will be stamped.  Also the Steinway log will say
(sadly, one volume was stolen from Steinway recently, and wasn't
photocopied, a terrible loss).   

Bill Shull 

Shull Piano Inc. 
590 E Industrial Rd 2 
San Bernardino, CA  92408 
(909) 796-4226 

In a message dated 4/19/04 6:24:29 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
Erwinspiano@aol.com writes: 




hi Ed 
 Don't panic yet.  I paid $250.00 for an 1891 from the Manteca unified
school district about 8 years ago. It was Bahama yellow with pretty
flowers & about to fall over. Its is the one with a myriad of ogees
elegant three piece front & the round fluted legs. The block, board &
many things were quite good. The board has a lot of crown still.
Amazing.Restrung with 3s or 4s,refinish,yes in original ebony, replace
the missing three piece cut outs new keytops. Very beautiful looking&
sounding. If I did this today I'd ask 15 k. 
  My opinion is that stwy uprights like this are worth anywhere between
$500.000 to $1500.00 in original & unbutchered condition. Hey do the
math on the items needed then speculate on the Market value in your
area.hmmm. 
 Dale Erwin 



Dear List- 

I'm dealing with a difficult situation with a customer who has purchased
an 1892 Steinway vertical on Ebay. 

The piano has been restrung in the plain wire and repinned in the bass,
"turning the bass strings."  The repinning was done with 4/0 pins with
apparently no preparation of the holes in the pinblock.  Pin torque
varies wildly, with many high treble pins over 225 inch pounds.  I
cannot imagine now how to restring properly without replacing the
pinblock.   

Raising pitch 80 cents and tuning was miserably difficult, perhaps
tuning will be manageable when the strings have stabilized....? 

Refinishing is a thin black lacquer (were 1890's verticals done in
ebony?), and the brass lock plate and pedals have been carefully
polished. 

Hammers have been re-shaped past regulation, key pins turned in the
front bushings, and key covers glued to fit the notch, with the tips
overhanging, and no shaping. 

The customer had hopes of buying a piano that would become a family
heirloom.  The seller told her the old bass strings were so good that
they didn't need replacement, and that she could eventually complete the
restoration with new hammers and dampers. 

I would be interested in your opinions of what is the going value of an
1892 Steinway vertical, rebuilt to very good playing and tuning
condition, and what the purchase price of the instrument as it is should
be. 

Also I would appreciate your comments on the pinblock. 

Thank you very much. 

Ed Sutton 





Erwins Pianos Restorations 
4721 Parker Rd. 
Modesto, Ca 95357 
209-577-8397 
Rebuilt Steinway , Mason &Hamlin Sales 
www.Erwinspiano.com 
 

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