Anyone know anything about antique Steck uprights?

[rc51kid]

I am completely new to this but here goes. I have a old Steck upright that has been sitting in my living room for the last 15 years. It came from a friend that passes away and has been sitting ever since. I recently became interested in cleaning it up, tuning and maybe learning to play a little. I would like to start by finding out a little bit about the piano if possible. It is an older upright with the name “Steck” stamped in gold painted wood in the top right corner. The serial number is 29742. When I look around on line it looks like the serial number is pre 1940. I don’t really know if I believe that it is that old but I guess it could be. Does anyone know anything about these things? Are they cheap junk or good enough quality to cleanup and learn on?
It has a lot of cosmetic damage and is really dirty inside. But it doesn’t have anything like water damage or rot on anything. It has been stored well, just banged up a lot. It might have some things broken or not working inside but it looks basically intact. Any opinions or info?

[john90]

Great idea. Look for any loose bits inside, save them, then vacuum it out. A slightly damp cloth to give one wipe over wooden bits. Damp enough to pick up any remaining dust, nothing more. Then you could take some good pictures of the inside under strong light, and let us have a look. External appearance, bangs, etc is usually totally irrelevant.

[keyboardclass]

Steck was one of the best makes ever made.  I was recently at a piano auction where there was about 80 uprights.  When it got to the Steck the auctioneer said "I've been told this is the best upright in the building!".  Sadly it went for a song.  I have one, old, dilapidated, but the action!  Makes me swoon.

[richard black]

Yeah, I'll second that about them having made quality instruments, though few folks nowadays appreciate them.

[keys60]

George Steck and Company. New York USA. Established 1857. Controlled by Aeolian Pianos Inc. USA.
Factory also established at Gotha, Germany and at Heyes, London. Business consolidated into the Aeolian-Weber Piano Co. in 1903 and subsequently became part of the Aeolian American Corp. in 1932.

Serial No. 28200-30300 built in 1903-1904

Grands are worth restoring and uprights, depends on how much you love it. They were high quality pianos.

[keyboardclass]

My Steck's identical twin is in the Science Museum!

[keys60]

Keyboardclass. Love to see a pic if you can post one.

[keyboardclass]

No much to see.  It's had a hard life.  Here's someone else's similiar:

[keys60]

tankity tankity tank

[rc51kid]

No much to see.  It's had a hard life.  Here's someone else's similiar:

That is a nice looking piano but it does not look like mine. Maybe i will have to get some pictures of it and og the Steck marking.