Spinet/Console Definition; was: Appraisal Value

[David Ilvedson]

Drop action=spinet.   
Action on keys/free hanging legs=console
action on keys/legs attached to case at bottom=studio such as U1, UST-7 and such
Big=Upright

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: Farrell <mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Received: 10/26/2007 5:15:53 PM
Subject: Re: Spinet/Console Definition; was: Appraisal Value


>> If it's tall, with a full-blow action, it's not a spinet.  

>Well, I said "tall (for a spinet)". I'd guess it was close to 40 inches tall - no shorter 
>than that. The music desk was level with the lid.

>Not trying to split hairs or challenge anyone, but rather determine the definition of 
>spinet and console. To the best of my knowledge, there are two streams of piano 
>type definition defining four types of vertical pianos (spinet, console, studio upright 
>and upright) - the layperson's and the technical definitions. The layperson definition 
>is based strictly on how tall the piano is. My understanding is that the technical 
>definition of a spinet is that it has the drop action - whether or not it has the 
>compressed or full size action does not matter. A console does not have the drop 
>mechanism, i.e. the action sits on key capstans, but has a compressed-size action. 
>Then the studio upright has the full action directly on capstans and the upright has 
>the action either on capstans with riser extensions (think Yamaha U1 or U3), or the 
>stickers common in the old uprights.

>> Even if it's 
>> console size, but has a drop action, it's a "drop-action  console."  

>Opinions on this? IMHO, if it has a drop action, it is a spinet. Or do we use five 
>classes on vertical pianos?

>> If the 
>> rear ends of the keys (capstans) extend under the wippens, then it's a 
>> console.

>Well, if it has a compressed action. If it has a full size action, it would be a studio 
>upright.

>> Yes, a dealer might ask $2K, 

>Right, which is why I defined "retail value" as what the dealer would ask for it....  
>Oops, I see I did not define "retail value". I meant to. Well, I guess there is another 
>question: Does the phrase "retail value" mean what a dealer would ask for it? I 
>thought that to be the case.

>> but through the newspaper, between private 
>> parties, it might be hard to get more than $1200 - $1500 unless the finish 
>> is really like new. 

>Agreed. If even close to that. I see the majority of pianos like this go for somewhere 
>between $500 and $1K in a private sale.

>> (Looks always seem to matter more than the quality of 
>> the instrument)

>LOL! Good point. So sad, but oh so true. That's why I told the lady that there would 
>easily be a $200 difference in the price of the piano if she were to be able to remove 
>the 39 or so glued-on letters on the middle keys (ABCDEFG).


>Terry Farrell

>----- Original Message ----- 
>>    If it's tall, with a full-blow action, it's not a spinet.  Even if it's 
>> console size, but has a drop action, it's a "drop-action  console."  If the 
>> rear ends of the keys (capstans) extend under the wippens, then it's a 
>> console.
>>    Yes, a dealer might ask $2K, but through the newspaper, between private 
>> parties, it might be hard to get more than $1200 - $1500 unless the finish 
>> is really like new.  (Looks always seem to matter more than the quality of 
>> the instrument)
>>    --David Nereson, RPT
>> 
>> 
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> > I'm looking for a reality check on the retail value of a 1983 Baldwin 
>> spinet - midwest USA prices.
>> 
>> It is a tall one (for a spinet) with the Baldwin full-blow action. Case is 
>> good to very good, and mechanically the piano is in very good condition - I 
>> would estimate that it has average to light wear for a piano its age. The 
>> regulation is good.
>> 
>> I'm guessing that a dealer would ask about $2k for such a beast. Yes?
>> 
>> Terry Farrell