Pianos are wonderful instruments. Many of my students learn on pianos that are over 100 years old. If well maintained, these antiques can produce a rich sound that has character unmatched by newer pianos. Sometimes, inside the casings, there are notes from piano tuners or maintainers that give clues about the instrument’s past. One of my students has a beautiful 1902 Gerhart Heintzman “Upright Grand” made in Toronto, old tuner’s notes tell of a life on the prairies prior to coming to the west coast. One can only imagine grandma playing Christmas carols on a Saskatchewan ranch in the depression years.
Local piano tuner/maintainer, Jim Anderson recently replaced the old bass strings and felts and the piano sounds great… likely much as it did in the early 1900’s.
Jim loves the old pianos; and if you’re considering purchasing one, consider having it inspected by an expert maintainer (like Jim) prior to purchase. They can be wonderful instruments, but can also be expensive headaches if you unknowingly get into an instrument that has problems.
Cheers, Ron