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<DIV><FONT face=Arial><EM>> If it's tall, with a full-blow action, it's
not a spinet. </EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><EM></EM></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><EM></EM></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><EM>> Even if it's <BR>> console size, but has a
drop action, it's a "drop-action console." </EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><EM></EM></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Opinions on this? IMHO, if it has a drop action, it is a
spinet. Or do we use five classes on vertical pianos?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><EM></EM></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><EM>> If the <BR>> rear ends of the keys (capstans)
extend under the wippens, then it's a <BR>> console.</EM></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><EM></EM></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Well, if it has a compressed action. If it has a full size
action, it would be a studio upright.</DIV>
<DIV><BR><EM>> Yes, a dealer might ask $2K, </EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>> but through the newspaper, between private <BR>> parties, it
might be hard to get more than $1200 - $1500 unless the finish <BR>> is
really like new. </EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV>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.</DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV><EM>> (Looks always seem to matter more than the quality of
<BR>> the instrument)</EM></DIV>
<DIV><EM></EM> </DIV>
<DIV>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).</DIV>
<DIV><EM><BR></EM></DIV></FONT>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Terry Farrell</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>----- Original Message ----- </FONT></DIV><FONT
face=Arial>> If it's tall, with a full-blow action, it's
not a spinet. Even if it's <BR>> console size, but has a drop action,
it's a "drop-action console." If the <BR>> rear ends of the keys
(capstans) extend under the wippens, then it's a <BR>>
console.<BR>> Yes, a dealer might ask $2K, but through the
newspaper, between private <BR>> parties, it might be hard to get more than
$1200 - $1500 unless the finish <BR>> is really like new. (Looks always
seem to matter more than the quality of <BR>> the
instrument)<BR>> --David Nereson, RPT<BR>> <BR>>
<BR>> ----- Original Message ----- <BR>> > I'm looking for a reality
check on the retail value of a 1983 Baldwin <BR>> spinet - midwest USA
prices.<BR>> <BR>> It is a tall one (for a spinet) with the Baldwin
full-blow action. Case is <BR>> good to very good, and mechanically the piano
is in very good condition - I <BR>> would estimate that it has average to
light wear for a piano its age. The <BR>> regulation is good.<BR>>
<BR>> I'm guessing that a dealer would ask about $2k for such a beast.
Yes?<BR>> <BR>> Terry Farrell<BR></FONT></BODY></HTML>