We are looking for an upright for our kids and found one we like but would like to be more informed on a reasonable price to pay for the piano. Does anyone have any thoughts on what would be fair to pay on the following:

Mason & Hamlin
Upright - full size (around 54")
Built in 1897

Restored: New strings, pins, hammers, hammer butts, shanks, key tops, refinished cabinet, etc

Thank you.

I am not a fan of antique pianos for regular family piano lesson use. You will be paying a high premimum for the materials and work put into this instrument and still be getting a 112 year old piano. My recommendation would be to seek out a new piano or one that is less than 15 years old.

Mason & Hamlin is a fine maker and one of my favorites. This piano will likely have a huge thunderous tone that may drive you out of the house with multiple children practicing daily. With beginners the music is not so pretty.

The actual wholesale cost of materials and reasonable cost of man hours for the work you describe as being done would be at least $3k-$4k. Factor in the cost of the core piano and a reasonable profit margin and you could be at $5-$6k+ easily.

Critical to the value is the care and craftsmanship in the rebuilding and the quality of the materials used. Only a qualified piano technician is capable of assesing this.

Critical components not addressed are the bridges, soundboard, and pinblock. These may have deficiencies despite the work done to the piano, or may fail in the near future.

"I am not a fan of antique pianos for regular family piano lesson use. You will be paying a high premimum for the materials and work put into this instrument and still be getting a 1120 year old piano. My recommendation would be to seek out a new piano or one that is less than 15 years old."

A 1120 year old piano? Now THAT'S an old piano!

Thanks for the catch Rank. Need more coffee.

The piano will also serve as a fine piece of furniture in our living room. What new pianos or less than 15 years old would you recommend in the price range you described or a few thousand more? Thanks.

d5sf
The Perzina would fall into that price range and give a professional-grade performance. Their cabinets are nice also.
Regards
Mike

Yamaha, Kawai, Wm. Knabe, Pramberger, Baldwin.

Charles R. Walter. The Walter doesn't utilize flakeboard in it's construction like MOST other brands.

http://www.walterpiano.com

The several reasons to consider a Charles Walter piano have nothing to do with flakeboard. Too bad mahermusic had to focus on the absolutely least compelling reason.

It sure beats beginning violin, though, says this mom of a 5th grade orchestra student.

Welcome to the forum, d5SF! A properly restored M&H could be a lovely piano. The key is "properly restored." As Marty and the others have said, it would be crucial for you to have an independent technician inspect the piano prior to agreeing to buy it.

Thanks Monica. I won't rule it out. Establishing the right price sounds like it is no easy task, but I'll start with the initial guidance given here of $5,000-6,000+.

That is, perhaps, the most diplomatic statement I have heard in ages!

Birthday hug from the schnauzer?

OOPS!

Susie, the schnauzer's (Mattie) twin sister, is very jealous, so....







Did I mention that they were fraternal twins????

BTW, my Avatar is Susie.

One of the main reasons to consider a Charles Walter is the fact that Charles Walter isn't made out of flakeboard. Too bad Marty Flynn wouldn't know what a compelling reason would be if it was spelled out to him.

Well, no doubt it is compelling to you. Have you ever posted about anything other than Charles Walter not using flakeboard?

It would probably be useful if you explained why it's so compelling.

...and Steinway and Sons, and Charles R. Walter. As far as I know, it may not be compelling to any other companies that I know of.

Maher,

I am a fan of the Charles Walter Pianos. I have known the family for many years and they are charming. My point was that there are many wonderful reasons to select a Charles Walter piano. The touch, the tone, the cabinetry, the fits and finishing, the reputation, that it is American made, family owned and operated business. I was just my opinion that the "flakeboard" issue was lower or least on the list. Clearly, it was a big determining factor for you. We'll agree to disagree. No need for the personal attack. Enjoy your Walter.

Ha, if your kiddo is starting violin in 5th grade, then I have 0 sympathy. How about all the poor parents of kids starting the instrument at 4 and 5 years old. They have to contend to those 1/64th or whatever sized instruments. Paganini himself couldn't make one of those things sound like anything but a well tuned fingernails going across a chalkboard.

Friend of mine was able to get a 25yo M&H upright on CraigsList for $600. Turned out to be in great condition (took a tech with him to check it out) and he's as happy as a clam.

Flynn,

I agree that there are many wonderful reasons to select a Charles Walter. I, and many others, purchased a Walter BECAUSE of it not having any flakeboard in it. I'm glad you now stated that your comments were your opinion, which wasn't translated in your original post.

No personal attack intended. Cheers.

While it can't be proved, I would seriously doubt that many people bought a Walter because it didn't use MDF.

Maher, on what do you base that assertion?

Back to the O.P. are your kids playing yet?, if not another choice is to rent a (tuned & regulated) piano to start them off with,and give you more time to shop for piano's. The M & H you mentioned sounds good, and tech support will help...

The fact that many people, including myself, bought a Walter BECAUSE of the fact that it doesn't utilize flakeboard in its construction.

If it WASN'T a selling point, then I guess Walter wouldn't be promoting the fact as such.

Do you think the same could be said of Walter using Chinese action parts in their cheaper uprights? (I believe one can chose between Renner and the Chinese action in their uprights as an option for some customer to shave some money off the price).

Nothing against a great company, but not using flake board is pretty much standard with most high-quality makers. However, they still use laminated or glued wood as solid wood will often not provide the long-term stability that these processed types of wood have.

Having said this, I very much like the Walter pianos and especially love their 6'4 grand. Top-tier sound to my ears.