Q: Can you give me an approximate value of my brand ABC piano?
A: It is unfortunately impossible to appraise a piano from a distance, in view of the more than 8,000 inter-dependent parts in an upright and 12,000 in a grand piano. You should consult a very reputable piano tuner/technician in your area; as a former piano manufacturer, we know pianos from the inside out, from its foundation to every detail. As piano prices vary tremendously from province to province, or state to state, and fluctuate from year to year, and are dictated by demand, the assessed price may vary too.

Q: The serial number of my brand 'ABC' piano is 123456. Can you tell me its approximate age?
A: We can most probably research the serial number of your brand 'ABC' piano if you fill out the appropriate space in our guestbook, and we will do it as a free service, unlike most company sites you would visit.

Q: Where can I find the serial number of my brand 'ABC' piano?
A: The serial number in an upright piano is usually carved or etched in the upper part of the pinblock; sometimes a cut out area of the plate exposes that number. In a grand piano, the serial number usually is painted, etched or stencilled on the pinblock, or on the soundboard.

Q: Can you tell me something about the manufacturer of my brand 'ABC' piano?
A: We will endeavour, as a free service, to give you a summary on the manufacturer of your piano, if this information is available to us.

Q: What is a vertical grand or an upright grand?
A: An upright grand is a misnomer. It should be called a full size upright piano or a vertical piano. Some manufacturers called their full size upright piano an upright grand possibly because of the similar string lengths used. As a comparison, can you call a sports car an RV?

Q: Can the cracked "steel soundboard" of my piano be fixed and at what cost?
A: A soundboard is always made out of wood. If the part you are referring to is made out of steel, then it's the plate, also called the harp, and it is usually bronzed. The plate is more difficult to fix if it is cracked, but it is not altogether impossible. The soundboard can be shimmed or changed altogether, depending on the extent of the cracks and the condition of the ribs. We can give you further information on this issue.

Q: I was told that the soundboard on my piano is cracked and that my piano is ready for the dump.
A: The soundboard of most pianos can be either shimmed or replaced by a new, white spruce soundboard. You may want to refer to Dr. David Moroz's testimonial letter, where he mentions "multi-dimensional".

Q: My 90 year old piano was refinished a year ago. The keys are beautiful. What price can I ask for it?
A: Refinishing takes care of the piano furniture or cabinet. A piano is much more than a fine piece of furniture. The keys, albeit beautiful, do not determine the condition of the mechanical part of the instrument. As for estimating an asking price, you would be wise to consult local experts.

Q: They told me that the piano offered for sale was rebuilt. What does that mean?
A: Rebuilding a piano usually entails putting a piano back into good playable condition, repairing parts that do not work any more and changing only the very minimum required for it to function. Restoring should mean putting back to original condition, renewed appearance wise and mechanically too. Very few piano establishments will go to the extent we do, i.e. the remanufacturing of the piano. This will entail correcting the original flaws as well as restoring. The complete remanufacture of the piano consists of replacing all parts worn with new original parts or with parts custom made if original parts are no longer available. There is much ado and confusion between terms used in this field. The piano purchaser should ask what repairs were done and which piano parts have been changed, in detail, in order to establish the real comparable value of the piano sold. A wise piano customer is an informed person.

Q: Is it worthwhile to have this 'ABC' brand piano restored?
A: As long as the working piano is sound structurally, its veneer in a relative good condition, it might just be worthwhile. Naturally, if the piano owned is well played, it shows that it was liked. Usually, a piano that was a good quality piano in its time deserves a quality restoration. The reward will be a superior instrument in a beautifully made cabinet. The purchase and the restoration will be an investment in the future rather than an expense.

Q: I need a piano between two thousand and three thousand dollars. What do you have in my price range?
A: You have to be aware that if you spend less than $6,000 CAD or $4,000 USD you will probably regret the purchase later. The piano will not offer encouragement to the person taking lessons on it. It is much harder to advance when playing on a mediocre piano. When your child quits playing because the piano cannot give back what it is supposed to, when you'll want to resell it, you will realize that the bargain piano was not such a bargain after all and that it will not fetch much. On the other hand, an expertly restored piano will not depreciate.

Q: I cannot find any information on the web about the manufacturer of my 'ABC' brand piano. Can you help me?
A: Since the invention of the piano some 300 years ago, there were over 3,000 piano manufacturers in Canada and the US alone. Many have come and gone. A defunct company would not have a web site on the Internet. We can give you some information on most piano manufacturers, and we will do it as a free service, unlike most piano dealer sites you would visit.

Q: I wouldn't be afraid to take the whole piano apart and to start rebuilding the piano myself. Can you assist me?
A: No, the task of rebuilding a piano requires a lot of knowledge, patience and experience. It is a lifetime apprenticeship.

Q: Can you send me a catalogue or price list of the pianos you have for sale?
A: You will understand that we do not have a catalogue nor a price list as we make the pianos one by one. See, this is how we work. You tell us what the piano of your dreams is. While talking, you tell us the brand, the style, the size, the preferred touch, the finish, your favorite color. We will establish if your budget would allow you to realize your dream and direct you to the closest match. The other side is, you own or have inherited a dear old piano that has seen better days. We will put it back to new condition inside and out.

Q: We are looking for a white Steinway baby grand piano. No one seems to have one, do you?
A: We can make the piano of your dreams in any color, as long as the wood permits, for example, a piano made from oak can receive a mahogany coloring but will not have the grain to match.

Q: My piano tuner told me that my 'ABC' brand piano cannot be tuned, or that it will not hold the tuning. How come?
A: There may be several reasons why a piano will not hold the tuning:

1. The strings of your piano are too brittle from age, rust or stretching and keep on breaking and will need replacing.
2. The tuning pins are loose from the constant tension and the regular tunings done over the years, and will need to be replaced by larger pins.
3. The pinblock is worn out and can't hold the pins any longer and will need replacing.
4. The bridges are cracked or broken and will need replacing.
5. The plate or harp is cracked and will need repair.
6. The piano's structure has let go of its animal glue and it is warped; the piano will need replacing. Do not take the sledge hammer to knock the piano to pieces. A piano can kill. It has happened. There is 35,000 lb. of tension on strings!

Q: When is a piano an antique?
A: The Canadian and American customs authorities consider a piano to be an antique when it is 100 years old. Therefore, there will be no duty levied on the import of an antique instrument.

Q: How often should a piano be tuned?
A: Most piano tuners suggest a piano should be tuned every six months. However, most piano manufacturers suggest 4 tunings a year. It is our opinion that in dryer or extreme hot/cold climates, the piano should be tuned 4 times a year.

Q: Where should I place the piano in my house?
A: A piano should be protected from heating vents or outlets. As well, the piano should not be exposed to the sun as the heat will dry the piano out and make the finish fade too.