Many wonder what their piano is worth. Some have a piano that is really old and wonder if it is an antique and may be worth a lot. How old does a piano need to be before it starts going up in value?
In general a piano has worth based on how well it plays. If a piano’s touch is consistent throughout the whole keyboard, its strings hold pitch well, its dampers do their job, and everything in general does what it is supposed to do, the piano will be worth more than one that doesn’t meet these qualifications. The instrument’s looks somewhat affect its value: people will pay more for a piano that looks good. But the majority of a piano’s value comes from its playing ability.
So what about really old pianos? Very few pianos are worth anything because they are old. Some have historic value because of who owned them or some historic event they were a part of. Pianos that truly have the title “antique” are typically built before the year 1850 and even then may or may not have special value.
If you’re looking to buy a piano, don’t pay extra for a piano because the owner calls it an antique unless you just want a piece of really old furniture. If you already have a really old piano and it still plays ok, enjoy it. Enjoy playing it and realize that it has been bringing joy to people just like you for many years.