I just received a free piano. I am not a piano expert. It needs some repairs, like the broken leg, stuck key, tuning, etc. Is it worth it to pay for the repairs? I don’t even have an idea of how much $$ I am looking at to get it fixed. The brand is Cable.
Tags: Free, Just, Piano, Want, Worth
September 25th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Well if you know how to play the piano, get it fixed. It will probably cost about $100.
September 26th, 2009 at 2:51 am
Old piano’s can have many underlying problems & become very expensive to refurbish or even “fix”. Sometimes it’s cheaper just to buy a new Yamaha or Kawaii. It’s definitely worth getting a quote though! I’ve never heard of the brand Cable before???
September 26th, 2009 at 2:59 am
sure if you are going to play i planned on doing ti but i have seen dome pianos at thrift shops that are for cheap so then i have one i have to rid of & get older one & more fixed they are dime a dozen so it depends on what youa re doing.
September 26th, 2009 at 4:19 am
Hobart M. Cable was a reputable brand once upon a time. Nothing outstanding, but a decent instrument. From your very limited description (you didn’t even specify if it’s a grand or an upright) it sounds like this instrument has suffered a long run of neglect.
Chances are that whatever restoration is going to exceed the value of the instrument in restored condition. Even if they are simple fixes (reseating springs & fixing broken bridle tapes, you’re looking at many hours of work for a technician.) Plus the tuning it will probably take several tunings over the course of a few months to get it to be truly stable.
The Salvation Army, St. Vincent Du Paul, Goodwill, etc don’t even want instruments anymore. They can’t get rid of them. (There’s a reason you got it for free.)
Unless you have a real attachment to this piano, I think you’re probably much better off looking for another, playable & complete piano.
September 26th, 2009 at 7:14 am
No. I wouldn’t. Stuck keys is a very bad indicator. Fixing up, repairing a used piano, is very similar to trying to repair a damaged used car: unless you receive a warranty(reasonable, good one)from whom you bought it, it usually turns out to a bottomless pit of financial drain.
If you are serious about really wanting to learn how to play the piano, I would forget it; & purchase a good used one from a reputable dealer.
You’ll either have to let it just sit, or pay for it being taken to the garbage dump: no small expense nowadays.
You didn’t notate “how” you received it; whether it was an exchange, a gift, or what. I suspect you have been had. Are you familiar with the old expression, “beware of a Greek bearing gifts”?
Sorry,
Alberich
September 26th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Call a piano tuner or piano technician in your area & let him take a look at your piano, he can tell you better than any of us, since we are not specialized in this sort of things & can’t even have a look ourselves.