Question: What do you get when you throw a piano down a mine shaft?
Answer: A flat miner.
Question: What do you get when you drop a piano on a platoon of marines?
Answer: A flat major.
Should I list a piano if it's no longer holds a tune?
What's the difference between rebuilding and reconditioning?
Who pays for moving and tuning?
How do I know how much my piano is worth?
Why should I have my piano tuned if I'm just going to sell it?
How Old is my Piano?
What's the difference between a vertical and a grand?
What size is my piano?
What's a baby grand?
What's the difference between a upright, studio, console and spinet?
When should I have my new piano tuned after it is moved?
Piano teachers and technicians often get asked if they know of anyone selling a piano or anyone who would like to buy a piano.
In the past we were rarely able do anything to help, because we didn't have enough buyers and sellers at any given time to make a good match.
And so, with the help of other technicians and teachers, we began a database of piano buyers and sellers as a service to our students and customers. In this way we can help you find a quality piano at a better price.
If you are from the Chicago area: Only the seller pays a finder's fee. You do not have to pay anything until or unless we sell your piano for you. To list call (630) 832-8790.
FOR BUYERS from Chicago: You pay no comissions or any other extra charges. Let us know what piano you are interested in and how to contact you. We will give you the name and number of the person who is selling the piano. Then you can contact them and arrange to see and hear the piano at your mutual convenience. Often a PianoBroker representative will meet you there. If you like the piano and want to buy it, you pay the seller directly or hold the money in The PianoBroker Escrow account until delivery of the piano to your home. Also, let us know if you don't like the piano and why. This helps us help you and other customers in the future. Most PianoBroker buyers find the piano they are looking for on the first or second look-see! For more information please call (630) 832-8790.
FOR SELLERS from Chicago: When you list with us, and buy or sell a piano, all you pay is a 12% fee on the final purchase price ($150 minimum). Tell us about your piano and how to contact you. If your piano is able to be guaranteed by a qualified technician, we will list your piano and inform you when someone is interested in seeing or buying your piano. The buyer will contact you and arrange to see and hear the piano at your mutual convenience. If the buyer likes the piano and wants to buy it, they pay you directly , or hold the money in The PianoBroker Escrow account until delivery of the piano, and then you pay a 12% fee of the final sale price to The PianoBroker. To list call (630) 832-8790.
Should I list a piano if it's no longer holds a tune?
Only if it is of rebuildable quality: Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, Knabe, Chickering, Baldwin, Boesendorfer, Bechstein or Bluetner.
What's the difference between rebuilding and reconditioning?
Rebuilding imply that the major parts such as the pinblock, strings, tuning pins, hammers and many action parts have been replaced. Sometimes the soundboard will be replaced and sometimes only repaired. Sometimes a rebuilt piano will have a new finish as well. The quality of rebuilders varies greatly. The PianoBroker only works with the finest quality rebuilders.
Reconditioning means that the major parts, as mentioned above, have not been replaced, but only repaired or reconditioned. The quality of reconditioning varies greatly as well. A complete rebuild may not always be necessary.
Who pays for moving and tuning?
The buyer is responsible for all moving and tuning costs.
How do I know how much my piano is worth?
The best way is to hire a QualifiedPiano Technician to appraise your piano.
Why should I have my piano tuned if I'm just going to sell it?
If an experienced musician plays a piano that is badly out of tune, they will not be able to tell if the sound quality of the piano is up to their standards. In other words, they won't buy your piano. If it hasn't been tuned in more than a year it will require tuning... even though it may sound ok to you.
Look in side the piano and you will see a serial number (for example: 600917). When you list your piano with us, give us this number and we will tell you the age.
What's the difference between a vertical and a grand?
This is a grand 
and this is a
vertical
To determine the size of a grand piano we just go by the length of the piano in feet and inches from keyboard end to the tail. Some common sizes are: 4'11", 5'0", 5'3", 5'8", 6'0", 6'6", 7'0" and 9'0". The widths are pretty standard at around 57".
To determine the size of a vertical piano measure the height of the piano in inches. Common sizes are 36", 45" and 52". The widths are pretty standard at around 57".
"Baby grand" means different things to different people, so to determine the size we just go by the length of the piano from keyboard end to the tail.
What's the difference between a upright, studio, console and spinet?
uprightConsoleSpinet
Uprights are the tallest: around 47" to 58". Heavier to move and generally older, but with the best sound (if in good condition)
Studios are a litter smaller: around 46" to 48"
Consoles are a little smaller still: 40" to 46".
Spinets are the shortest: around 36" to 40". Good for people with limited space. Easier to move.
When should I have my new piano tuned after it is moved?
About a week or so after the piano was moved. For more information about tuning go to The Piano Page, the home page of the Piano Technician's Guild.
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