Do you prefer the sound of a beautiful mellow piano? Would you rather that your piano cabinet be constructed of wood? For the home pianist seeking a piano with some character, an old upright piano can be an ideal choice.
Upright pianos became extremely popular in the 1890's, after the Steinway piano company introduced new piano technology in the 1860's. By 1890, the upright piano had 88 keys.
By definition, an upright piano has the soundboard and plate of strings running vertically, perpendicular to the keyboard. Upright pianos constructed from 1900 onwards share all the advantages of modern piano technology. Generally, the majority of pianos built through the 1880's and 1890's have the newer piano techniques as well.
There can be many benefits to purchasing vintage upright pianos. The cabinets of these older instruments are definitely more elegant than their modern contemporaries. Often the cabinets have marquetry inlaid on them, and splendid veneers were used. These cabinets were constructed from sturdy woods by craftsmen with high standards of finish. These old pianos do not have any plastic components, and obviously chipboard and MDF board had not been invented yet. Often these pianos have authentic ivory keys.
These older pianos hold their value better than a newer mass produced piano. Traditional upright pianos constructed from 1890 through to 1940 that have been well maintained and cared for can be expected to last for 80-100 years before needing a restoration.
Old upright pianos are categorized into 3 groups. Antique uprights were built through 1700-1830, Victorian's were constructed between 1850-1900, and everything produced after 1900 is considered to be a modern upright. The value of these antique collectible pieces is largely determined by the quality of the piano tone, the cabinetry furniture style, and the sophistication of the action design.
However, not all old upright pianos are going to be worthy of the costs of restoration. This applies in the instances of lesser known brands, and the instruments that are either of too frail a construction or are musically inferior.
If you are considering buying a wholesale antique or a vintage piano, you should always look for the brand name. The brand name is often located on the fallboard over Middle C. Otherwise, when you open the piano lid, there should be a metal plate in one of the upper corners displaying the name of the piano manufacturer. Knowing the piano manufacturer will enable you to have a much more accurate idea of the worth of the piano.
These are some of the well known piano companies who produced superior upright pianos: Baldwin, Bechstein, Boosendorfer, Chickering, Kawai, Knabe, Mason and Hamlin, Sohmer, Steinway, Sauter, Weber, and Yamaha.
For the piano player who has a love of antique furniture, an old upright piano can be the perfect musical selection. Ensuring that the piano is in good working order is a must. The older mellow tone and furniture style of the cabinet are personal taste and in these areas, the buyer will be spoilt for choice.
For further information on selecting an old upright piano we recommend the following sites:
http://www.beethovenpianos.com/upright-piano/
http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/grades.html
