Old, tired Berry, help needed

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Jerry
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Old, tired Berry, help needed

Post by Jerry »

Hello

I am considering buying a Berry upright iron grand. The gold embossed writing above the keyboard reads Berry Upright Iron Grand, Full Trichord, Overstrung. It has a serial number of 20043 stamped in three separate places. It is in a rather nice dark french polished mahogany type wood.
The current owner says it is in need of a tune and there are 3 or 4 places where the wood would need revarnishing where hot cups etc. have been placed on it.
I guess the best way to describe it would be 'distressed'; which is why we like it. (it looks like your old school piano, if you know what i mean!)
I've looked inside the case and everything is attached, albeit dusty; and it seems to play well, with no keys/pedals sticking.

The agreed price is circa. £200. Does this sound about right?(i realise that without viewing valuation is difficult; but a rough ballpark figure is all I'm looking for.
It would be a present, so I don't want to buy something that is only fit for scrapping, but we don't mind an element of restoration/servicing; especially given it's apparent age.

On your forum i've found a new serial number(21679) dated to 1925. Does this mean that this one would be turn of the century?
(which excuses it's condition)

Is it worth a £50 investment of asking a piano tuner to take a look at it?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Jerry
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Bill Kibby
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Re: Old, tired Berry, help needed

Post by Bill Kibby »

Only a tuner can tell you if it is capable of being tuned. The number suggests 1924.
Piano History Centre
http://pianohistory.info
Email via my website.
If you find old references or links on this site to pianogen.org, they should refer to pianohistory.info
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