Piano Consultation and Appraisal

With decades of experience servicing many brands of pianos, Lynn Rosenberg is often consulted to assess condition and value of instruments. We offer consultations to those wishing to understand the potential for repair or restoration of a specific piano, wishing an honest valuation of a piano they plan to purchase, or an appraisal to use for insurance purposes or to set a sale price. You are also welcome to get our guidance on environmental or placement issues to locate your piano in best conditions for humidity, temperature, and acoustics.

Identity and Background of the Piano

The initial focus will be on the piano’s identity. The brand, model and age will be major factors. There are premier brands, and within the brand, esteemed models. Older pianos are not automatically at a disadvantage if the instrument was initially high quality and was well maintained. Certain instruments with rare or historical nature will demand extra consideration. Grand pianos generally have higher value and potential than uprights if restoration is the plan.

A review of a piano involves not only its condition but its history. Appraisal is always assisted if the history is known. Were there previous owners? Are purchase or repair records available as provenance? Was its use environment in a home, school, concert hall, or professional venue? Does it have a history of active use or was it in storage? Is visible wear consistent with that reported activity? Heavy performance history compensated with strong maintenance records will be considered in wear assessment. However, poor or incomplete maintenance will be a negative factor.

Piano Condition

A value or repair appraisal by Rosenberg will look at the piano’s condition:

  • Status of the soundboard, bridges, pinblock, frame, and overall cabinet
  • Action condition including hammers, dampers, pedals, key responsiveness and repetition quality
  • String condition of original or replacement parts, tuning pins, and pinblock’s ability to maintain proper tension
  • Harp, case soundness, finish condition, presence of veneer damage or missing parts

Repair versus replace is a cost-benefit matter

A condition review reveals how much useful life remains in components like hammers, strings, and other action parts. Excessive wear may suggest the need for rebuilding, which affects market value. A piano that “looks unused” is not automatically in better condition. Historic or premium brand pianos typically justify higher repair or restoration costs, and purchase prices.


A piano’s true value reflects not only what it is, but how well it has been preserved, how it performs today, and how desirable it is in the current market. Factors other than financial for a cost-benefit decision on “repair versus purchase of an alternative” will include time urgency, sentimental or historical nature of the instrument, and piano brand prestige.

Rosenberg is an expert partner in evaluation

Use our experience during your assessment, as we can honestly evaluate condition, estimate costs, and help frame your decisions. Our knowledge across brands plus experience with maintenance and repairs will work to your advantage.

We often are called in to tune or repair a newly-purchased used piano and note that the buyer could have benefitted by getting expert advice before selecting an instrument requiring reconditioning. Call upon us when considering a used piano for purchase. We can tell you a lot about your prospect once we know its brand, model and age.