Should I take a free Steinway Upright?

[rustyleaf]

Pardon my ignorance...I have never played piano.

A friend has offered me a free Steinway console upright if I pay to have it moved. It would cost approx $300-400 to move.

I don't know the model number and have only seen it once and it was in good physical condition and the keys were intact and sounded "nice" (fairly tuned - to my ears). It's dark brown wood stain.

It's probably from the 1920s-30s and was in a wealthy person's personal theater.

Should I take it? Is it "worth" the moving cost and/or tune up and repair? Is this type of piano worth the investment of $400 even if it has issues?

I have young children whom I would like to learn piano and can't imagine the cost of buying a piano outright. Suggestions?? I don't have time to get it appraised or looked at.

Thanks for any advice.

[iansinclair]

It would probably help if you could have a good piano tech. look at the piano to make sure that there are no serious issues.

That said, a Steinway console from the 20s or 30s would make an excellent instrument for a learning student -- and, indeed, for anyone with limited space, even for advanced repertoire.  My sister, who is a decent concert pianist, has almost exactly that model as her practice piano.  If I didn't have a slight surplus of pianos, I might go for it myself!

[indianajo]

Twenties-thirties uprights from Steinway sound pretty good. Not all that tinkley.  There is one in the fellowship hall of a Catholic church in the next county, in good condition.  A family friend also sold one on Craigslist two years ago, and got $300 for it from the professional piano restorer here in this part of the state.  
Look for many mouse-eaten hammers or dampers, or a cracked soundboard.  I wouldn't worry too much about sticky keys etc, unless the hammer shafts are all warped from a roof leak or other water damage.  On a Steinway I wouldn't worry about broken strings or cracked veneer, you can get your money back after repair.  Do check the casting that it Says Steinway & Sons; the name painted on the wood is cheap but the casting is forever.  
$300 sounds a little expensive to move it, unless there is a stair carry. 1920-30's pianos weigh 400+ lb, so it takes four very qualified men to get them up or down a stair
I own a 1941 Steinway console, which has a little bit different tone. It is a better piano than my 1982 Sohmer 39, it holds tune better.  Steinway did not use cheap wood anywhere.  

[rustyleaf]

I took a professional piano tech to see it and it turns out it is a Steinway Vertegrand Mahogany from 1906. He said it's in great mechanical condition and only needs a tune up. He said, "You want this. You HAVE to take it, or else I will!"  So I am definitely taking it. It has exterior scratches but I don't care. When he played it, it was so beautiful I got choked up.  Mother-daughter piano lessons coming soon!

Also, my friend already has a grand piano and had no use for this upright.  It was in the basement theater in a home she purchased, and no one had taken it with them previously. She is thrilled that I can give it a good home. 

[hfmadopter]

I took a professional piano tech to see it and it turns out it is a Steinway Vertegrand Mahogany from 1906. He said it's in great mechanical condition and only needs a tune up. He said, "You want this. You HAVE to take it, or else I will!"  So I am definitely taking it. It has exterior scratches but I don't care. When he played it, it was so beautiful I got choked up.  Mother-daughter piano lessons coming soon!

Also, my friend already has a grand piano and had no use for this upright.  It was in the basement theater in a home she purchased, and no one had taken it with them previously. She is thrilled that I can give it a good home. 

Enjoy your piano, it should be a great sounding instrument !

[iansinclair]

Bravo!  I have one of those -- they are superb.  You'll love it!

[iansinclair]

I might add, by the way, that if it is the same model as mine, the $300 or $400 to move it isn't outrageous -- they are heavier than they look (a lot heavier than a modern upright or spinet) and, worse, they are top heavy.  Not a good prospect for amateurs.  The weight is good, though -- it's in the frame and strings -- and gives much better tone quality.

[rustyleaf]

It's true, I believe they are 600 pounds. I have gotten several moving quotes. The highest was $1,500 (!) and the cheapest was $400. They will do light weight spindles for $200 but this one is so heavy they charge a lot more.