Piano Dilemma

Guest · Dec 7, 2014

I was given a Howard-Baldwin upright piano today that dates b/w 1910-15. It stink, need some keys, retune and other work I'm unaware of. I really don't want it or to be bothered with disposal (which means I'll burn it in the back) which I ABSOLUTELY HATE the idea of. Any suggestions?

SaxMan · Dec 7, 2014

My in-laws had an upright of similar vintage. It was a player piano that had all the mechanics taken out. Weighed a ton! They donated it to a charity. Sometimes you may find a music conservatory or a piano tuning/repair school that would take it as a donation to be used as an instructional instrument or one they can restore.

LarryK · Dec 7, 2014

Put on Craigslist and move it. I've got an upright that has been in the wife's family for years. Sis in law inherited a grand from an aunt and somehow we ended up with it. In the meantime she said she is selling grand because of room and wants this one back. Been storing for year now. Gave her to the 1st of next year or on Craigslist it goes. Free if I have to.

Mickey Richaud · Dec 8, 2014

Why not do something like this?

533197f2697ab07ebf00215e._w.540_s.fit_.jpg

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/before-amp-after-a-craigslist-piano-with-a-surprise-inside-201704

NutmegCT · Dec 8, 2014

Wow - Mickey - your new garage is fancier than we thought!

:jester:

JPSmit · Dec 8, 2014

kellysguy said:
I was given a Howard-Baldwin upright piano today that dates b/w 1910-15. It stink, need some keys, retune and other work I'm unaware of. I really don't want it or to be bothered with disposal (which means I'll burn it in the back) which I ABSOLUTELY HATE the idea of. Any suggestions?

Since you've lost the keys, you can't start it anyways....

1. pull it apart and make sculpture

2. Burn it - recreate interesting pics.

AN5Sprite · Dec 8, 2014

Too much money to put it right. I'd take it to pieces and use the various woods etc for different art projects. Maybe make an electric guitar out of some of the wood. If the black keys are ebony and not just dyed wood, you could sell the lot of them for a few bucks.

Or, gut it and hide a gun safe inside.

sd80mac7204 · Dec 8, 2014

or stick it in the yard as a fountain.

Guest · Dec 8, 2014

Well I went and blew out all the dust and adjusted the thingamajig and it actually isn't all *that* bad considering. The cool thing is both upper and lower front panels come completely off so it's like having an upright grand piano. I have some keys here I can replace the veneers that fell off. It needs to be tuned but otherwise may be a "solid" player to learn on. It would make one heck of a gun cabinet though. :encouragement:

Guest · Dec 8, 2014

Got it on the studio now, sure am glad I bought the one with a lift gate. :friendly_wink:

waltesefalcon · Dec 8, 2014

I like the gun cabinet idea, it would be both unique and cool

Guest · Dec 8, 2014

waltesefalcon said:
I like the gun cabinet idea, it would be both unique and cool

Me too but I really like it in the studio now. I rearranged it some and now it has more room even though there is a piano in it now.:thumbsup: A little tuning and a key job and I'll have my own Saloon!:cowboy: I have my amp and two guitars next to it. I can't fit a whole drum kit but a Cajon and mabe a snare and I'll be set. All I need now is talent . :laugh:

Brooklands · Dec 8, 2014

We had a good upright grand piano that took three professional movers everytime we moved it, and it was just taking space in our livingroom. It was from the 1890's and was beautiful, so we found a friend of our one son who is a talented musician, and offered it to him. We knew he could not afford a good piano, but he paid a piano company to pick it up and take it to his house (the three guys struggled with it but got it out and to his house). We are happy, and so is he.

Guest · Dec 8, 2014

Two girls helped me get it out the house and on the trailer and I moved it off the trailer and into the studio by myself; I'm used to working alone though. It sure is heavy!

This is one just like it: https://brighamspianoservice.com/portfolio/used-1924-howard-upright-piano/

Bayless · Dec 8, 2014

Well, it's starting to sound like you may have changed your mind on the bonfire. Hope you enjoy it. My daughter inherited a Howard from my mother that she had a s a kid.

Guest · Dec 8, 2014

I couldn't have brought myself to burn it, not 100 year old wood. I'da have to have it made into guitar bodies or something. 100 years wortha notes all up inna grain it woulda have to sound good. :eagerness:

Boink · Dec 8, 2014

Many other options. When I had the action re-built on my grand piano, I made a lamp with the hammers. I've since collected lots of bits for various "sculpture" projects. The possibilities are endless. :encouragement:

Here's the lamp I made... all glued with 5 minute epoxy; I then got a blank shade and papered with favorite music.

JPSmit · Dec 8, 2014

Boink said:
Many other options. When I had the action re-built on my grand piano, I made a lamp with the hammers. I've since collected lots of bits for various "sculpture" projects. The possibilities are endless. Here's the lamp I made... all glued with 5 minute epoxy; I then got a blank shade and papered with favorite music.
View attachment 35478

Now that is a noteworthy project! Well done.

Boink · Dec 9, 2014

Thanks JP. I still have a vision of building an entire manikin out of hammers, keys and strings... and sit him at the bench.

Guest · Dec 9, 2014

JPSmit said:
Now that is a noteworthy project! Well done.

As usual, JP doesn't miss a beat. :thumbsup: I was saving the hammers out the one I burned but I didn't have time to do anything with them so I burnt them too, As usual. I only took a half step in completing the project.

I really like the lamp, it really takes a sharp mind to piece it all together. The bass is my favorite part, I hope you didn't have too much treble with it.

I betcha you got it for a song.

Piano Dilemma

Share this page

Guest

Guest

Darth Vader

Yoda

Moderator

Great Pumpkin

Moderator

Jedi Knight

Jedi Warrior

Guest

Guest

Guest

Guest

Yoda

Guest

Guest

Yoda

Guest

Guest

Yoda

Guest

Guest

Yoda

Moderator

Yoda

Guest

Guest