Why do some things gain more value with age?
There’s a myth in the antique industry that if it’s old, it must be valuable. That’s what creates good television, with shows that look for lost treasure found in grandma’s attic.
But just because something is old, doesn’t make it worth a lot of money. When thinking about age and the object in question, the best place to start is by going back to when the item was made. What’s the intrinsic value? How much was the item when it was originally sold?
That applies to pianos too.
In every case, pianos have been produced in two ways: quickly to move it out to the masses, and slowly with the thought of it being top of the line. The more love and care put into the crafting process, the more it will uphold its value over time.
As yourself a few questions about the piano you’re considering:
- Is it rare?
- Does it have a valuable brand name?
- Are there words to describe it in the industry?
- What is its history?
- Who owned it?
- How much did they pay for it?
The better you can define it, the more value it could possibly have.
Take a look at some of the most expensive pianos in the world. You’ll see that each of these has extensive answers to the questions above.
No matter hold old a piano is, when shopping for a used piano, consider:
The piano brand – a higher quality piano means higher quality parts that won’t wear down over time.
The age of the piano – for most pianos, a useful life can be anywhere from 20 to 100 years. The older a piano is, ensure you have access to the history behind it to fully understand how well the piano was cared for.
How well the piano plays – if you’re new, the sales staff will be happy to play it for you to allow you to hear the full range of the piano. Be sure to sit down and touch the keys to get a good feel.
What can be fixed – even if the old piano is in good working condition, ask questions about future maintenance. Are parts readily available? What timeframe are you looking at for regular maintenance?
Learning all you can before you buy will ensure you invest in a high quality instrument that will be in your life for years to come.
How can we help you find the right instrument to suit your needs?
