so I get a call from my father yesterday who says that my aunt (his sister) would like to give me her old spinet piano. I have seen and played this piano during my childhood but I don't remember what brand it is.

I'm probably going to put it in my music academy as a practice instrument for the students. I'm sure it hasn't been tuned in nearly thirty years, though I'm expecting the action and hammers to be ok.

I'll let you know when I pick it up (it's a two hour drive from me) what condition it is in and whether or not I truly intend to keep it. If I find that the students at the academy aren't going to use it, then I'll consider placing it for sale.

I knew I wanted a third piano...who knew it'd be a lowly spinet!

There is nothing wrong with a spinet as a starter or practice piano.

Isaac,

I hope it is in decent shape. Unmaintained for thirty years.... well you know what that means.

Enjoy the visit AND the piano.

thanks...i'll get back to you with brand, serial #, and all the other pertinent info.

i grandly offer you my consolation.

(just kidding) one of my students is very happy with my ancient Acrosonic he got for free

Remember, Popeye became very strong by eating his spinet.

I have the spinet that was in the club of the resort where I play when I started there (35 years ago). It's a Yamaha. I never liked it, but the tuner always did due to the lack of false beats. It's not a favorite piano but I keep it for sentimental reasons. If I had to, I could use it w/o a problem.

Yamaha spinets are pretty uncommon. The only ones I have seen were not exactly "grey market", but had been purchased in Japan.

Tom Tuner

I wouldn't expect any mechanical device made from organic materials to be OK after 30 years, even if it was never played. I just don't want you to be disappointed on the first tuning appointment. In fact, if the cost of moving is significant, it might be worthwhile to have it evaluated first.

On the other hand, I find it rewarding to work on instruments like this, because it's often possible to make a big difference in both the sound and touch. The bass strings really come alive when you bring them up to pitch.

--Cy--

I opened up my old Yamaha spinet to see if there was a model number. I didn't get a light, but I couldn't find one. There were 3 or 4 of these identical spinets circulating around the hotel. They were really abused, but held up incredibly.

Well, I have my wonderful 7 foot Kawai, but just as dear to my heart it my little Story Clark console--50 years old, and still has 4 months to go on the 50 year warantee on the soundboard. It was a gift from my husband in the early days of our marriage. I get it tuned every year. Tech says it is in excellent condition.
Even has 3 pedals. I keep it in my family room(the Grand is in the Living room), and when we all get together at Christmas and holidays, we gather around the little Story Clark and have a great time with it.

I know it is not worth anything dollar wise, but the sentimental value is enormous. Gaby Tu

Let us know if it's a Grand spinet. Markb will want to invite you to join the club.

I started learning on a spinet from the 1950s that my parents bought for me. The name on the fallboard was Bremen. As a child, it was just a piano...now it is not what I would want, but it worked for me then. Interestingly, my brother took a shine to it, had the case refinished, and it sits in his home to this day.

Amazing!

My childhood piano was a Kimball spinet or console - I can't remember which. Not a great piano, but it got me here (wherever that is).

Yamaha spinets are indeed rare. Some of the very first Yamaha verticals shipped to the U.S. were shipped KD (knocked down). The dealer had to partially assemble them. They had cloth bottom doors, and oddly shaped cabinets. Most were in a medium color wood like a dark maple. Iffy performance at best.