Thinking About Selling Your Chickering Piano?

A Practical and Compassionate Guide**

For many families, a Chickering piano is more than an instrument — it’s a part of the home. It may have been the piano a child learned on, the centerpiece of holiday gatherings, or a treasured heirloom passed down through generations. Because of this, deciding what to do with a Chickering can be an emotional process.

This guide is designed to help you understand the realistic market value of older pianos while honoring the sentimental value they hold. Whether you hope to sell, donate, or simply understand your piano’s condition, the information below will help you make an informed decision.

1. Understanding How Pianos Age

A piano is a complex musical machine with roughly 10,000 moving parts made of wood, felt, leather, and metal. Even with excellent care, these materials naturally change over time:

  • Wood dries and shifts
  • Felt compresses
  • Metal strings oxidize
  • Action parts loosen
  • Tuning stability declines

This happens to every acoustic piano — Steinway, Yamaha, Mason & Hamlin, Baldwin, Chickering — regardless of original quality.

A piano’s age, environment, and maintenance history determines how well it functions today.

2. The Piano Aging Curve: What to Expect Over Time

Even under ideal conditions (stable humidity, regular tuning, proper regulation), pianos follow a predictable performance curve:

A+ (Years 1–5)
Peak performance. Clear tone, responsive action, excellent tuning stability.

A (Years 6–10)
Still excellent, with only minor signs of aging.

B (Years 11–20)
Tone begins to mellow; action becomes less crisp. Still very usable for most players.

C (Years 20–30)
Playable, but noticeably different from a new instrument in both sound and feel.

D (Years 30–50)
Musically limited. Action may feel sluggish, tone uneven, and tuning stability reduced. Serious players typically pass on pianos in this category.

F (50+ years)
Often non-functional as musical instruments. Issues may include sticking keys, loose tuning pins, pedal problems, buzzing, or soundboard cracks.

Important: A piano can still be beautiful, meaningful, and full of memories even if it no longer functions well as an instrument.

3. What This Means for Market Value

Most buyers are looking for a piano that plays well today — not one that used to play well. Sentimental value does not translate into market value, and restoration is expensive.

Here is the general value landscape:

A+ / A Condition

  • Strong market value
  • Attractive to serious players
  • Chickerings are especially appreciated for their warm tone and responsive action

B Condition

  • Worth significantly less than a new piano
  • Typically valued at ⅓ to ½ of an A+ instrument
  • Good for casual players or families

C Condition

  • Modest value
  • Usually purchased by beginners

D Condition

  • Very little market value
  • Sometimes a new student will take one if they cover moving costs

F Condition

  • Generally unsellable
  • Often at the end of functional life
  • Disposal typically costs $500–$1,000

There is no shame in retiring a piano that has served your family well for decades.

4. Understanding the Economics of Chickering Pianos

Chickering pianos were once among the finest American instruments ever built. However:

  • The company no longer exists
  • Replacement parts are not readily available
  • The brand name no longer carries strong market recognition

For comparison:

  • A new Steinway Model L or O (about 6 feet long) costs over $100,000 today
  • A Chickering restored to factory-new condition would be worth as much as $50,000 depending on the model and cabinetry
  • But restorations cost tens of thousands of dollars, and few buyers are willing to invest that amount in a non-current brand

If your Chickering was restored in the past

It would have been near-new at that time and worth as much as $50,000. 10 years later, it would have lost half its value and be worth $25,000; 20 years later, its value would be around $10,000.  At 30+ years after restoration — most restored Chickerings would only fall into the $1,000–$5,000 range, if they are still in good working order and didn’t have excessive cosmetic issues.  By 40 years after restoration, most restored Chickerings would have little remaining market value.

A written condition report from a certified piano technician is essential if you hope to sell it.

5. Where and How to Sell Your Chickering

Most private sellers use:

  • Facebook Marketplace
  • Craigslist

You will see many Chickerings listed for $0. These are usually non-functional pianos whose owners are trying to avoid disposal fees.

To stand out:

  • Get a written condition report from a piano technician
  • Have the piano tuned and ready to play before listing
  • Avoid listing it for free unless it truly has no musical value

Buyers respond to clarity, honesty, and documentation.

6. If Your Piano Is at the End of Its Life

Letting go of a piano can feel difficult, especially when it has been part of your family’s story. But if the instrument can no longer function musically, it has simply reached the natural end of its lifespan.

Many owners find comfort in thinking of it this way:

The piano served your family well for decades. It brought music, joy, and memories. It fulfilled its purpose.

There is dignity in acknowledging that.

7. If You Need Help Evaluating Your Piano

If you’re unsure where your Chickering falls on the scale, a local piano technician can provide:

  • A condition report
  • An assessment of tuning stability
  • Notes on action responsiveness
  • Recommendations for repair (if worthwhile)

This is the most reliable way to determine realistic value.

Final Thoughts

Chickering pianos hold a special place in American musical history, and many families feel a deep connection to them. Whether your piano is still musically vibrant or simply a beloved piece of your family’s past, understanding its condition and value can help you make the right decision.