A free piano can be the most expensive instrument you ever own. Before money or a moving truck changes hands, work through this list.
Play every key
All 88. Note any that stick, repeat poorly, or sound dead. A handful of issues is normal; a pattern across a whole section suggests action or hammer problems.
Look inside
- Soundboard: hairline cracks are common and often harmless; separated ribs are not.
- Tuning pins: heavy rust or pins sitting at wildly different depths signal pinblock trouble.
- Hammers: deep string grooves mean the felt is worn and voicing or replacement is due.
- Bridges: cracks along the pin line are a serious, costly repair.
Check the pitch
Bring a tuning app. A piano sitting a half step flat has not been serviced in years and will need a pitch raise plus follow-up tuning.
Ask three questions
When was it last tuned? Has it ever been in a garage, storage unit or unconditioned room? Has any work ever been done on the action? The answers tell you more than the brand name on the fallboard.
For anything expensive or sentimental, a paid pre-purchase inspection is cheap insurance. We provide them across North Texas.
The brand on the fallboard matters far less than the condition behind it.
Still unsure how this applies to your instrument? Call (972) 266-3671 and describe what you are hearing. We answer questions like these every day, and it costs nothing to ask.
Ready to get your piano playing right again?
Call our Grand Prairie workshop for honest advice, transparent pricing and an appointment that fits your schedule.