Are you looking to sell your mini grand piano to raise some money for your dream concert grand piano? Or, just looking to sell your piano because you’re moving places, and want to buy another one at your new destination? Here’s how you can find out your piano’s worth, and maximize the selling price while selling it.
The Piano’s Exteriors – Everything that Increases or Decreases the Piano’s Worth
The first impression is the last impression; the adage is ageless, and will probably never lose its meaning. It holds true for your pianos too! For anybody looking to sell off an old piano, to buy a new one, the ‘looks’ of the piano will certainly come into play. Potential buyers will notice the exteriors of the instrument and build an impression about the interiors of the piano from it.
Exterior damage can put a potential buyer off, and will certainly decrease the sale-worthiness of the piano. So, if you are looking to sell your piano, and wish to have some heads up on its worth, so that you don’t under-price it, here’s all that you need to inspect, and correct.
The Keyboard
Once a piano purchaser has had the first look, expect him to gently tickle the ivories of your beloved piano to take the inspection further.
- Check whether all the keys sound good at the loud and soft volumes. You don’t want any key out of tune or muted.
- If you frequently tune your piano, focus more on identifying any single keys possible out of tune, or a key producing abnormal harmonics.
- Press all keys and check if they all feel soft enough to be gently pressed to appropriate depths; extra hard or extra loose keys are a major put off, if your piano buyer intends to play the instrument.
- Look from the edge; are your piano’s keys horizontally and vertically aligned?
- If the keys are chipped, stained, and yellowed more because of careless use rather than ageing, your piano’s worth is going to plummet. It might be a fantastic idea to check with a technician if any broken keys can be replaced.
Pedals
Most piano pedals are study, and time-proof; so, any anomalies with the pedals are not likely to go down well with a piano reseller or second hand piano buyer who knows his music. Here are some key (no pun intended) aspects you need to be careful about, to maximize the selling price of your piano.
- If your piano’s pedals are rusted, talk to a technician to safely remove the rust and restore the grace of the pedals.
- Limping pedals need to be tightened up, so that anybody who purchases your piano is not troubled with an ultra-sensitive pedal.
- If you feel hitting a bump when you press the piano’s pedals, it’s time to call over a piano expert to get the alignment of the pedal corrected.
Exterior Wood Finish
Any discerning piano owner will believe that your piano will go easily out of tune if he/she finds the exterior finish deteriorating because of exposure of the piano to harsh sunlight and moist air. So, look to repair the cracks and scratches on the piano surface by using specialized polishes and varnishes. It might not be a bad idea to have the piano inspected by a technician so that any resultant problems with the interiors of the instrument can be identified and corrected. Even otherwise, a piano with shining wood finish will always attract a good price.
Piano Legs
Nothing puts off a pianist like a wobbly piano. Check if your piano is a sturdy and stable piece of music equipment by giving it a light shake by holding it from every edge. Tighten the screws; however, if the piano continues to wobble, it might be time to replace the wood. A wobbling piano could create potentially dangerous situations if the instrument was to top over, so ensure you have this checked and corrected.
Your Piano’s Interiors, and How they Influence its Worth
Worn out and rusted strings can knock off some serious bucks out of the selling price of your piano, so it’s always a poignant idea to keep the interior parts clean and safe from moisture.
Often, strings can cause irreparable damage to the wood they come in contact with, by creating deep grooves. If your piano’s strings and their surrounding wood are in good shape, ensure you show it to the prospective buyer to help them appreciate and agree to your pricing.
If the felt on your piano’s hammers is loose, look to get it replaced or repaired. It should help you obtain a decent price when you plan on selling it. Now you can relax and pat yourself on the back.
Featured Image: Image Credit
Russian soldier playing an abandoned piano, Chechnya, 1994. pic.twitter.com/vzP7QqCoys
— Lost In History (@SadHappyAmazing) March 14, 2016
Ai Weiwei brings white grand piano to muddy refugee camp on the Macedonian border https://t.co/i5DDs0ui7J pic.twitter.com/1GrPF9aM2T
— AFP news agency (@AFP) March 12, 2016
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