This isn't a player, but a lot of us are interested in vintage pianos.
Today I saw a Chickering square piano in southern Portland, Maine that's
available very cheap.  It's in very good playing condition, holding
tune, nice hammers, mostly very good finish of dark mahogany or reddish
walnut.  Serial no. 2458, if I recall right.  It has the full 7+ octaves
and the tone is excellent -- full bass and sparkling treble.  I tried a
couple tuning pins with my hammer and they turned smoothly and held
well.

Only two problems -- the ivories are in bad shape, and even the key
fronts are peeling off (they seem to be some sort of celluloid, although
still quite white).  Actually only a few top ivories are damaged, but
many have come off and are in a bag.  Many of those still on the keys
are replacements, whiter than the rest.

Also the finish has checkered and dulled on the fallboard, right over
the Chickering decal.  So the piano needs partial refinishing and major
key work.  Would modern plastic keytops destroy its antique value?  How
much antique value does this have?  As a piano lover, should I grab it?
Do squares have a lot of hidden problems that are impossible to fix?

The woman will let it go for just a few hundred or less, and needs to
move it out by the end of May.  I'd like it for myself, but do I really
need another project when my Weber D-A needs so much work?

If you're interested, please email me at the address below, or post
comments, and I can get you the lady's phone number.

Mike Knudsen
knudsenmj@aol.com.geentroep [ drop .geentroep to reply ]