Rob asked: "My real question is this... They want to know what it would cost to replace this piano with an identical 1904 Starr upright for insurance purpose, and what might be a comparable upright today. I have a pretty good idea of the various grades the new upright could be, but I'm not sure where this piano stood in it's day as far as the quality and prestige of the piano. So would this piano have been at the lower end, middle or higher end of the spectrum? I'm guessing one of the first two by appearances but I wanted to appeal to the group as a whole to get a collective idea. Anyone have any Starr experience? Either way, I know it's not much, but I wanted to make sure I got it right... The owner is claiming it's worth enough for me to go out and buy a brand new Steinway M... :-)" I own an 8', (actual 7' 10"), Starr Grand. Built like Godzilla! My mover said it was the heaviest he'd ever encountered!<G> Quality? Middle of the road. I've run into several Uprights, most, I'd classify as middle of the road, nothing outstanding sort of thing. Usually, well built w/good tone and touch. Most certainly not in the Chickering/S&S/Knabe/M&H class! That's my take on that. Joe Joe Garrett, R.P.T. Captain of the Tool Police Squares R I
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