Drop action=spinet. Action on keys/free hanging legs=console action on keys/legs attached to case at bottom=studio such as U1, UST-7 and such Big=Upright David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 ----- Original message ---------------------------------------- From: Farrell <mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org> Received: 10/26/2007 5:15:53 PM Subject: Re: Spinet/Console Definition; was: Appraisal Value >> If it's tall, with a full-blow action, it's not a spinet. >Well, I said "tall (for a spinet)". I'd guess it was close to 40 inches tall - no shorter >than that. The music desk was level with the lid. >Not trying to split hairs or challenge anyone, but rather determine the definition of >spinet and console. To the best of my knowledge, there are two streams of piano >type definition defining four types of vertical pianos (spinet, console, studio upright >and upright) - the layperson's and the technical definitions. The layperson definition >is based strictly on how tall the piano is. My understanding is that the technical >definition of a spinet is that it has the drop action - whether or not it has the >compressed or full size action does not matter. A console does not have the drop >mechanism, i.e. the action sits on key capstans, but has a compressed-size action. >Then the studio upright has the full action directly on capstans and the upright has >the action either on capstans with riser extensions (think Yamaha U1 or U3), or the >stickers common in the old uprights. >> Even if it's >> console size, but has a drop action, it's a "drop-action console." >Opinions on this? IMHO, if it has a drop action, it is a spinet. Or do we use five >classes on vertical pianos? >> If the >> rear ends of the keys (capstans) extend under the wippens, then it's a >> console. >Well, if it has a compressed action. If it has a full size action, it would be a studio >upright. >> Yes, a dealer might ask $2K, >Right, which is why I defined "retail value" as what the dealer would ask for it.... >Oops, I see I did not define "retail value". I meant to. Well, I guess there is another >question: Does the phrase "retail value" mean what a dealer would ask for it? I >thought that to be the case. >> but through the newspaper, between private >> parties, it might be hard to get more than $1200 - $1500 unless the finish >> is really like new. >Agreed. If even close to that. I see the majority of pianos like this go for somewhere >between $500 and $1K in a private sale. >> (Looks always seem to matter more than the quality of >> the instrument) >LOL! Good point. So sad, but oh so true. That's why I told the lady that there would >easily be a $200 difference in the price of the piano if she were to be able to remove >the 39 or so glued-on letters on the middle keys (ABCDEFG). >Terry Farrell >----- Original Message ----- >> If it's tall, with a full-blow action, it's not a spinet. Even if it's >> console size, but has a drop action, it's a "drop-action console." If the >> rear ends of the keys (capstans) extend under the wippens, then it's a >> console. >> Yes, a dealer might ask $2K, but through the newspaper, between private >> parties, it might be hard to get more than $1200 - $1500 unless the finish >> is really like new. (Looks always seem to matter more than the quality of >> the instrument) >> --David Nereson, RPT >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> > I'm looking for a reality check on the retail value of a 1983 Baldwin >> spinet - midwest USA prices. >> >> It is a tall one (for a spinet) with the Baldwin full-blow action. Case is >> good to very good, and mechanically the piano is in very good condition - I >> would estimate that it has average to light wear for a piano its age. The >> regulation is good. >> >> I'm guessing that a dealer would ask about $2k for such a beast. Yes? >> >> Terry Farrell
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