Hi all. I cam across an upright piano (45"), "KIRBY" on the fall board. Inside is the piano is Serial 170337. The keys look original.

I think Kirby was owned by the Griffith Piano co (NJ), but I cant find any info on the serial no or potential age of this piano?

It is out of tune and the hammers are dusty and in fair condition, but a useable piano. Everything else is tight and works well (my non-professional opinion of course).

Anyone with knowledge on this?

Here's one for sale....

http://www.pianobuyer.com/classifieds/buy-a-piano/ad.php?ad_id=15701

Were they sold door-to-door?

I've got an upright Kirby. It gets the dust out from under the grand.

I was tempted to make a Kirby vacuum joke as well - but figured I'd let someone else take the plunge. We owned a Kirby vacuum when I was a kid. GREAT MACHINE. However, our large upright piano was a turn of the century McPhail - which wasn't too shabby either !!

The Piano Atlas only mentions the name, saying it was a name in Newark, and Griffith was also in Newark, so it might have been a piano that Griffith made and Kirby retailed. It was probably built before the depression.

It probably is not worth anything. The chances that it plays really well are very slim. The cost of restoration is probably more than it would cost to buy a better piano new.

If you are looking for a piano, I suggest that you try some new ones, just to get a feel for that market, and to get an idea of what pianos are supposed to sound and play like.

This thread just keeps reminding me I need to vacuum the living room

Same here - we're having company over tonight....

I used to have a dog named Kirby who used to howl when I played piano...