8' 8" Chickering Concert Grand

[arensky]

I have come across a 8' 8" Chickering concert grand, dating from about 1895. I played it this morning at a local piano workshop. It was in a local performance venue for many years, and has been in a rebuilder's shop for about two years. He has never tuned it, and except for a bit of dust ( and some spiders underneath the board  ) it is in ok condition. The pedals were off and it needs a regulation (original action), and it has four small cracks in the soundboard. At some point plastic white keys were put on (the blacks seem to be original). Rebuilt, it seems these pianos sell for anywhere between $30,000 and $89,000. Cosmetically this piano leaves a lot to be desired, but playing it even without the pedals I was very impressed with it's tone and projection, although the old action is a bit rickety.

The plate bore the numbers  "105 D" ( or was it A) (it was part of the mold, not stamped or stenciled) which seemed to be the model number. It's rosewood, but has been ebonized badly. I really like this piano. There doesn't seem to be a regular price scale for old Chickerings like there are for old Steinways and Mason & Hamlins. The expensive "chicks" seem to have been extensively rebuilt.

What is a fair price for this ugly and beat up but powerful old Chickering?

[iumonito]

$500 - $1,000.

A bare bones rebuild would run you around 20K, a more complete one I think between 30K and 35K.

I consider it insane to pay more than 40K for such instrument fully rebuilt, but that's me and my cheap-o ways.

Chicks are really nice.  Chickering9, are you around?

[arensky]

$500 - $1,000.

A bare bones rebuild would run you around 20K, a more complete one I think between 30K and 35K.

I consider it insane to pay more than 40K for such instrument fully rebuilt, but that's me and my cheap-o ways.

Chicks are really nice.  Chickering9, are you around?

I think it will be fine with a regulation for right now. The current owner is an excellent technician. It has new strings. If I get it ( big desicion  ) it will get a new action evantually. Cosmetics don't concern me or my student clientele, fortunately.

Why so cheap, if you like these pianos? Just curious...

[iumonito]

Well, you are basically getting a rim with posts and a frame.  If I was getting this piano, I can't imagine I would keep the strings or hammers, and the action would need to be either replaced (which is kind of a crime from a historical instruments point of view) or completely restored.  Pin block and soundboard replacement complete the picture.

With the money that costs, you can get yourself a nice new piano, which severely limits what makes sense to pay for the carcass to be rebuilt.

Don't get me wrong, I am all for rebuilding.  It is just that the raw piano has to be fairly cheap for the whole thing to make sense.  I was offered once a beautiful Bluthner for about 10,000.  Plus 35 that puts the piano at 45, which is too much.  I offered 1,000, since at 36 that's a pretty nice piano, and I was laughed at, but I believe the piano was available for a long time after I turned it down.  I don't know how much it sold for in the end.

[arensky]

I'm adopting a wait and see attitude with this piano. I would like to play it in tune and fffff before I commit to buying or possibly buying it. Also it's an inconvenient time to remodel the studio...

I will let the current owner work on the piano while he has it, then we'll see...