what do I do with my fathers Bechstein 1981c Upright

[mydadsbechstein]

Hi, I have not posted on here before. 

Perhaps you can advise us on my fathers piano?

Details below. It was my nan’s 21st Birthday present a long time ago (60 years?) and my Dad inherited it. He looked after it for a short while but over recent years it has not had any attention and has deteriorated somewhat. My mother passed away recently and now my father needs the money and wants the piano moved. Very sad now I realise how old and how much history this upright has had.

Anyway, I said I would do some research via google - thus finding this forum and would be grateful for any advice re: selling it for a "fair" price and/or convincing my husband to "buy" it from my dad so it stays in the family!! (my father was advised to sell it on eBay.)

Piano:
C Bechstein Berlin.
Serial no 29013.
Walnut Burr.
Over strung.
Concert Pitch.
Iron frame.
Needs work to veneer.
One peddle needs refixing.


Where do I start? What would you do?

[indianajo]

Bechstein is one of the premium brands, but whether this one is genuine or not is up to a local expert. 
If I were you I would learn to play piano and take it or buy it for a nominal price, but not everybody has inherited the ear to enjoy learning music.  Few have the patience to spend the two hundred hours or more practice to be good enough to enjoy themselves.
In Hong Kong or Jakarta this may draw a premium price if in great condition except tune, but in North America or Europe not so much.  In North America you can google search craiglist.org or kiji.org (CA) to determine asking prices of pianos of a certain brand.  There are a lot of silly prices posted, so one has to look at repeat ads over time to see what price a piano actually disappeared from listing at.  In my local market I doubt if any predepression upright is worth over $250 except Steinway, but things are funny sometimes.  For example I doubt if this piano was manufactured in 1981 since you said something about 60 years of history.  In my local market Kimballs frequently list for >$2000, which is pretty funny for a mediocre model like Kimball, (IMHO)  but they were manufactured locally and apparently have a lot of fans here.  If you don't practice very hard, they don't fall apart like the Kimballs in Army NCO/Officer clubs did.    Because of Bechstein's history of being the favorite of a very famous figure in WWII, there is one important segment of the piano market that wouldn't accept one for free.   
Pedal problems frequently occur due to moving, and are usually not hard to fix. If you're going to sell it, by all means pull the cover down there and see if you can do something simple with pliers and a wire brush. Before listing it. 
Good luck. 

[mydadsbechstein]

Thanks for the info indianojo.

To clarify, I have been informed, it was my great nan who owned the piano first and then she gave to my nan for her 21st.

I think my nans 21st was around 60 years ago, thus the reference of 60 years.

From information I have since done via google I think that my dads piano is early 1890's.

I am very certain it is genuine - it has the serial number and the Bechstein markings?!

I am not too worried about learning to play, for me it is keeping an historic piece of family history. But, my Dad needs cash, so he is thinking of selling it.  He asked me to go online to do some research, thus I am asking for advice here! 

I hope that clarifies things.

Thanks.

[iansinclair]

Indianajo has some good information for you there.

This is one of those situations, in my view, where the intrinsic value of an object -- in this case, your nan's piano -- is much greater than the market value.  It is also -- since it is an antique -- one of those situations where it is almost impossible to put a monetary value on the object.

You might get lucky and find someone who wants it, either as a piano or as an antique object, and is willing to pay good money for it.  Frankly, it is more likely that you won't.  Looking on eBay just now, I find several Bechstein grands (no uprights) with good prices on them -- and no bids.  Ditto Steinway uprights (one has a bid of $385.00, the others no bids).  If you are in North America, you might get $500 for it.  You might have to pay someone to take it away.  You might, as I say, get lucky...

In my view, I would keep it -- and even have it brought up to tune, if you liked -- rather than try to sell.  That is, if you can.  Can your husband spring for five tanks of gas?  Or 3 weeks extra groceries?  For something which is a valued family treasure?

I hope you can go that route.

[richard black]

Photos (inside and out, and keyboard) and information on how tall it is (which will identify the model) would help!

[indianajo]

There was a pre-WWII Steinway upright with mirrors (a luxury model) that was listed in Louisville for several months last year and finally sold to the rebuilder from Lexington for $300.  I know the family, and helped clear out the house.   A Bechstein wouldn't draw that much, as most of the people who know what it is would want a grand or a postwar model. I paid $1000 for fully functional 1941 Steinway 40" console in 2910, and probably could of had it for less since the Lexington rebuilder didn't want it (damaged veneer) and nobody else but me called in 6 weeks.  I hope this eases things between you and your relative.   The in hobby now is big screen TV's, followed by high end cell phones, and since pianos require skill, the lower end of the market has dropped massively in price.  Music students don't even want great upright pianos;  their dorm rooms are not big enough and the cost of moving one twice a year (~$200 each time if stairs are involved) is prohibitive. 

[mydadsbechstein]

Thanks so much for the replies and advice.

I attach photos - any idea on the model number? Bechstein confirm it is 1891 year of manufacture.

Yes, a lot of family history here especially since I have learnt that it was my Great Nan's originally and was then passed down to my Nan and my father.

I really appreciate your knowledge and advice and I wish you all best regards,

[indianajo]

That broken pedal casting would have to have both parts removed and welded (if steel) or recast (if bronze).  You possibly could take the kickpanel out to get to the back of it to remove it also.  I could hog a new one out of block steel with grinders in a couple of days.  Grinders are not called the "Mexican milling machine" for nothing, some of us can do that sort of work even in Indiana. 

[richard black]

Well, that's one of the bigger models (model 7, I think) with the full 88-note compass, and the little we can see of the insides seems to indicated quite good condition. I would lay money on those strings having been fitted since the mid-20th century. It may not be worth a whole heap of money but it would be a very nice instrument for someone to own and play regularly, assuming of course there's nothing wrong with it out of sight in those pics.