At this point all I know is it's a 55 inch Starr upright and it's free for the taking.


Even though I'm new here, I know the stock answer that free pianos are usually worth half of what you pay for them but how about Starr as a brand? Is it possible that it's worth having a tech take a look at it? Maybe drop a few hundred into tuning and regulation and get a few years out of it?

Do I take this piano now for free or a $1000-1500 dollar upright a year from now? I'm attracted to it because it's a full 55 inches and at this point all we have is a Korg Triton w/88 weighted keys.

How much does it cost to restring a vertical piano?

Last question: How do I find the serial number on this piano?

If it helps for context, the users of the piano would be a 11 y.o. with 2.5 years of lessons and a motivated beginning adult with 2 months of lessons.

thanks,

Kurt

Hunt Craigs list for a couple of months and you'll likely find a good deal on a Baldwin Hamilton <$1,500 which if in halfway decent shape would be a better piano and if lucky, would take less to get into shape. You could use the Baldwin Hamilton for a while and sell it for what you paid for it - or maybe more. Better deal than buying a piano which may need more work and return less.

Never heard of Starr myself, but that doesn't mean a lot!

The best thing to do is have a tech look it over just so you don't end up bringing it home only to find you wish you didn't.

If this is impossible, I guess the next best thing is to play it and see how you like it. If you don't enjoy playing it, chances are your daughter won't either. Or maybe ask someone who does play regularly to try it and give their opinion.

Remember, the key is being enjoyable to play. Touch, tone, etc. Trust me, if it has problems that make it hard to play or it isn't a decent sounding piano you are better off with that Korg for now. Nothing kills motivation more than a dog of a piano. Trust me, I know.

Ken

I have a Starr upright that is that size. Made around 1898. The big problem with it now is the pin block is bad and won't even begin to hold a tune. But just a few years ago (20 or so) it was a real pleasure to sit and play. Sound was very good and action superb.

Have a tech at least look at it. Might be worth a little effort if in good shape while you look for a better piano.

Made in Richmond, Indiana if I remember correctly.

If it plays decent and sounds decent, let someone look at it that can tell you better the condition.

There are tons of cheapo pianos there: I just entered "piano" into Craigslist for my city (Toronto) and found several pages. Keep your options open before buying.

I'd rather buy something like a used decent Yamaha or Kawai upright for $2000ish and enjoy the music. Great advantage: you'll be able to sell those a few years from now for a similar price.

Starr Pianos Co. was established in 1972 in Richmond, Indiana. The company name was originally Chase Piano Co. (which they continued to also use on some instruments). The first production serial numbers were from 1895, and the last year of production was 1949. For awhile, they also made coin operated players.

The Starr name was acquired by Piano Empire of Santa Fe Springs, California in 2006, and they began limited production in 2007. Full production and distribution is scheduled for 2009.

(Info courtesy Pierce Piano Atlas)

We occasionally see old Starr pianos for service. Generally, they're worn out and pretty much limping along.

Have a qualified tech look at it if you like the piano and make your determination from there.

Welcome to the forum, KrAYZEE.

I'll join the chorus of those advising that you pass on the "free" piano, or at the very least have a technician inspect it BEFORE moving it. Your "free" piano is likely to cost you several hundreds of dollars if not more in moving costs, plus tuning, plus needed repairs to make it playable--and that's in the lucky circumstance of it being salvageable. If it's NOT salvageable, you're only out, oh, $500 or so (moving costs to your house and then the dump, technician service call to establish that it's a piece of junk).

I don't know how much it costs to restring a vertical, but in the technician's forum there is an active thread talking about restringing a grand, and the figure of $1000-$2000 was being bandied about, just to give you an idea. I'm guessing the cost would be comparable in a vertical.

Do you have any pics?

Not so fast...

A good piano is where you find it.

Several months ago, I hauled a free Gulbransen to a friend's from out of a lady's house. It had been her mother's and hadn't been played in over four years.

And it wasn't a more recent run piano, either. No, this sucker is about a 56 incher, with typical alligatored finish and yellowed ivory keys.

I thought it still had some go in it, so I had my tech go through it. A few hammer pads, some felt, a string replaced...she's good to go.

Even as old as she is, she holds tune well and is tonally acceptable...if you like that big, monster upright sound in your face, which is fine by me.

Morale of the story? Don't listen to the naysayers, the piano pundits and the armchair quarterbacks. Judge every piano on its own merits, not by its age, its price, or the name on the fallboard.

You may just be surprised what you find. And find out.