buy or sell a piano

by Guest Blogger, Robert Estrin

(by Guest Blogger, Robert Estrin)

There was a time when all pianos had ivory key tops.
By the middle of the 20th century, the use of plastic key tops began to replace ivory keys in a big way. Laws protecting elephants made ivory keys extremely rare in pianos built after the early 1970’s.

No pianos have ivory keys.

The keys of all pianos are made out of wood. It is only the  thin top of the white keys which are made of ivory or  plastic. The black keys are made of ebony. However, most  Asian production pianos have plastic black keys. In this  case, the entire key is made out of plastic and is hollow  on the inside.

Growing up, my father had 2 grand pianos in his studio, an old Steinway with ivories, and a newer Baldwin with plastic key tops. I found the ivory to be slippery and the plastic offered a better grip on the keys. However, when I would perform in student recitals, it was quite the reverse. With a bit of nerves, the sweat in my hands made the plastic key tops slippery and the grip on the ivory much better.

Ivory key tops are porous.
So cleaning is more difficult than cleaning plastic key tops which can be cleaned with a high concentration rubbing alcohol; 90% or higher works best. You can use a soft cloth, paper towel, or cotton swabs made damp with the alcohol. Rub all the keys, black and white and you will be amazed at how much dirt comes off the keys. The high concentration of alcohol assures that the moisture will not compromise the integrity of the wooden keys. Ivory keys present a greater challenge. While cleaning with alcohol as above will work, in time it can dry out the ivory and cause warping. So it is best to use a slightly damp cloth with only water and use alcohol only when needed to remove persistent stains.

Ivory keys also will yellow in time.

You can help them keep white by not closing the fall board. While it is important to close the lid of the piano when not in use to avoid corrosion of the strings, the fall board only protects dust from settling on the keys which can be wiped off easily. If ivory key tops get too dirty or yellow, they can be polished and bleached. If a few are chipped or missing, some piano technicians have a large stock of replacements. This is no easy task since matching the exact size, color and texture of ivories is very challenging. Replacing key tops altogether with modern composite plastic key tops is not very expensive, 2 or 3 hundred dollars. Usually when doing this it is a good time to replace key bushings and front rail bushings which wear out. That can add another couple of hundred dollars.

So the question is…

which is better, ivory or plastic key tops?
I have run into many people who have a strong preference for one or the other. Many people prefer the mystique of real ivories on a beautifully restored vintage piano. Other people are horrified by the sacrifice of the animals to produce the ivory. Overall I would suggest if you have a piano with usable ivories, keep them in good shape as long as you can since they are nearly irreplaceable. A set of ivories can be procured but a set costs thousands of dollars. Keep in mind however that if you went out and bought a brand new Steinway grand piano, it would have plastic key tops. Functionally they are very close. Perhaps the texture of a good set of ivories gives a better grip particularly with sweaty hands. Otherwise it is not one of the more important considerations for a piano’s quality.

Click here to visit Robert’s Website: LivingPianos.com

It is no small task to relocate a piano. While the process is not quite as precarious as the Saturday-morning cartoons would have us believe, you still need to put a lot of thought and care into moving such a delicate and expensive instrument.

Hire the right people.
In most cases, you will be better off hiring a professional moving service to ensure your piano arrives at its destination free from damage. Choosing a piano moving company, however, presents an additional challenge. In order to be certain that you choose the very best company for the job, consider these tips:

Compare costs and value.
A moving company should be able to give you an accurate estimate as long as you provide the correct information. Be sure to ask what services and guarantees are included in the quoted price. Watch out for low estimates. They tend to rise later when extra, unexpected costs are added.

Ask about insurance coverage.
Keep in mind moving companies insurance covers only 60 cents per pound to meet legal requirements. For an expensive piano, consider additional insurance, either through the moving company or via an insurance broker.

Be a smart buyer.
If you are buying a new piano, discuss options with your sales representative. Many piano retailers have relationships with moving companies and can get you the best rates.

Know your piano and its needs.
The moving company will need to know the piano model and size (the height for an upright piano and the length for a grand piano). What size are the doors? Are there stairs? How many stairs? Is there an elevator that can accommodate your piano?

Make sure the company you choose brings the proper equipment.
They should have padding to avoid scratches and dents during the moving process and a piano dolly or board. Ask whether the moving truck has climate control and air-ride suspension, especially if your piano is moving a long distance.

Consider general moving companies with experience.
While not all moving companies have experience with heavy and sensitive instruments like pianos, some will have the specialist knowledge needed to relocate your piano safely. This can be a cost-effective choice, especially when you are moving other belongings as well.

Communicate.
Make sure to ask the moving company if they have any questions or needs. If you have specific questions or concerns, ask them.

Click here to view a list of piano movers: Piano Movers

Probably the most frequently asked question we hear at PianoMart.com is “How much is my piano worth?” It’s difficult to answer that question because to accurately evaluate a piano, it is necessary to thoroughly inspect the internal components of the instrument including the soundboard, bridges, pinblock, hammers, dampers, keys, strings, test the tuning pin torque, and examine the exterior condition of the cabinet. It is also necessary to listen to the quality of tone and to feel the response and playability of the piano action and keys. This can only be done in person.

We do not give appraisals via email or phone, so please DO NOT email us asking how much your piano might be worth.

To determine a fair asking price for your piano, we suggest that you hire a local piano technician to inspect and evaluate your piano and provide you with an appraisal. It is also important to determine the age of the instrument. By referencing the serial number, the technician can also tell you the year of manufacture. Or, we invite you to email us the brand name and serial number of your piano and we will be happy to provide you with the “year of birth”.

To find a piano technician in your area, go to Find A Technician
.