A sad tale from the BBC (:-/)

[Pete]

... but a rather interesting one, I thought:

"Why so many old pianos are dumped"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19706812

-- Pete --

[J. B. Wood]

Post by Pete
"Why so many old pianos are dumped"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19706812
-- Pete --

Hello, and assuming one wants a playable instrument (not just a static
antique in the room), many old pianos are just not worth the effort and
expense of restoring. Many pianos were substandard even when new.

Cracked/warped soundboards, rusty strings, loose tuning pins, sticking
or stuck keys and many other things figure in. A piano is arguably the
most mechanically complex of acoustic musical instruments and if
properly maintained can last a very long time. But underline "properly
maintained". Sincerely,

[polymod]

Post by Pete
"Why so many old pianos are dumped"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19706812
-- Pete --

Hello, and assuming one wants a playable instrument (not just a static
antique in the room), many old pianos are just not worth the effort and
expense of restoring. Many pianos were substandard even when new.

Cracked/warped soundboards, rusty strings, loose tuning pins, sticking
or stuck keys and many other things figure in. A piano is arguably the
most mechanically complex of acoustic musical instruments and if
properly maintained can last a very long time. But underline "properly
maintained". Sincerely,

[laraine]

Post by J. B. Wood

  "Why so many old pianos are dumped"
   http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19706812
   -- Pete --

Hello, and assuming one wants a playable instrument (not just a static
antique in the room), many old pianos are just not worth the effort and
expense of restoring.  Many pianos were substandard even when new.
Cracked/warped soundboards, rusty strings, loose tuning pins, sticking
or stuck keys and many other things figure in.  A piano is arguably the
most mechanically complex of acoustic musical instruments and if
properly maintained can last a very long time.  But underline "properly
maintained".  Sincerely,
--

I still don't understand how pianos get in
the condition one sees. Do people stomp on
the keys with their boots on?!

C.

[Unclefred]

Post by laraine

Post by J. B. Wood

Post by Pete
"Why so many old pianos are dumped"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-19706812
-- Pete --

Hello, and assuming one wants a playable instrument (not just a
static antique in the room), many old pianos are just not worth the
effort and expense of restoring. Many pianos were substandard even
when new.
Cracked/warped soundboards, rusty strings, loose tuning pins,
sticking or stuck keys and many other things figure in. A piano is
arguably the most mechanically complex of acoustic musical
instruments and if properly maintained can last a very long time.
But underline "properly maintained". Sincerely,
--

I still don't understand how pianos get in
the condition one sees. Do people stomp on
the keys with their boots on?!
C.

Depends on the home where they "live." I have a piano built in
1915. It's listed as worth about $1200. About seven year ago I spent
$2500 to get it rebuilt. Not many people would do that, but it was my
fathers, and before him my mothers family that owned it and I remember
dad playing it all through my childhood and up to the day he had the
stroke that killed him a week later. There are nicks in the wood at the
top of the keyboard made by dad's fingernails. It was well worth the
investment. Now I have a piano that is virtually as good as the year it
was made, except for some scratches from various idiot movers. Always
use professional piano movers if you can afford it!!!