Every Piano Has a Story: When It’s Time to Sell or Consign Your Piano

Every Piano Has a Story

A piano is rarely just another piece of furniture.

It may have been the piano where a child learned their first song, where generations gathered at the holidays, where a teacher spent years giving lessons, or where a musician practiced thousands of hours.

That is why deciding what to do with a piano can sometimes be surprisingly difficult.

Perhaps you are downsizing. Maybe you are settling an estate, preparing for a move, or simply have a quality instrument that is no longer being played. Whatever brings you to the decision, understanding your piano and the options available can make the process much easier.

At Washington Pianos, we believe every piano deserves to be considered individually.

When Is It Time to Consider Selling or Consigning a Piano?

There is no single reason people decide to part with a piano.

Sometimes a family has simply reached a different season of life. Children who once took lessons have grown. A move creates less space. An inherited piano needs a new home. A musician may be ready for a different instrument.

In other situations, owners have a quality piano they know still has years of music ahead of it—they simply aren't sure what it is worth or how best to find its next owner.

The first step doesn't have to be making a decision.

It can simply be understanding your options.

What Determines a Piano's Value?

Two pianos bearing the same manufacturer's name can have very different values.

Brand and age matter, but they are only part of the story. Condition, maintenance history, musical performance, cosmetic appearance, service history and current market demand can all influence an instrument's value and desirability.

A piano that has been carefully maintained may present very differently from another instrument of similar age that requires substantial technical work.

This is one reason an individual evaluation is so important.

Selling or Consigning: What's the Difference?

Depending upon the instrument and the owner's circumstances, there may be several possible paths.

A direct sale can provide a more immediate and straightforward transaction when the piano is an appropriate fit for purchase.

Consignment may be considered for certain instruments that are well suited to showroom presentation and the current market. Rather than selling the piano outright, the instrument is represented and marketed for the owner.

Other pianos may be better suited for restoration, referral, private sale or another solution.

There isn't one right answer for every piano.

The appropriate path depends upon the instrument itself, its condition and market demand—as well as the owner's individual circumstances.

Why Two Pianos of the Same Brand Can Be Very Different

The name on the fallboard can tell us something about a piano, but it cannot tell us everything.

The way an instrument has been played, maintained and serviced over its lifetime matters. Touch, tone, regulation, structural and mechanical condition, previous repairs or restoration, and overall musical performance can significantly affect how a piano should be evaluated.

This is where experienced technical evaluation becomes especially valuable.

For more than three decades, Sam Scott has worked with pianos as a technician, restorer and musical craftsman. His experience includes piano preparation, regulation, voicing, restoration and the evaluation of quality instruments.

At Washington Pianos, we look beyond the name and age of an instrument to understand the piano itself.

What Information Should You Gather?

If you are considering selling or consigning your piano, a few basic details can help begin the conversation.

Whenever possible, gather:

• The piano manufacturer
• Model, if known
• Serial number
• Several clear photographs
• Your location
• Any known service or maintenance history
• Information about repairs or restoration, if applicable

Don't worry if you don't have everything.

The purpose of the initial information is simply to help us better understand the instrument and determine what the next step might be.

More Than a Transaction

For many owners, deciding where a piano goes next is about more than its monetary value.

Pianos become part of homes, families, schools, churches and musical lives. They can carry memories of lessons, celebrations, performances and people we love.

We understand that.

Thoughtful stewardship means considering both the instrument and the people who have cared for it.

When a quality piano is ready for its next chapter, our hope is that it continues doing what it was created to do:

Make music.

Considering Selling or Consigning Your Piano?

Every piano and every situation is different.

Washington Pianos evaluates instruments individually and helps piano owners understand the options that may be available, including consignment, direct purchase, restoration or referral.

Tell us about your piano and let us help you explore its next chapter.

Considering selling or consigning your piano? https://washingtonpianos.com/pages/sell-consign