Knight Piano: Serial No. 40963

[Dan]

Hello there. I have an upright Knight Piano, with the serial number of 40963. I found this by removing the bottom panel and finding it on the lower-right quarter underneath.

If any advice can be offered on the year of manufacture, along with an estimate on value (bearing in mind that it is in good condition, albeit with no recent tuning), I would appreciate your help very much.

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this.

[Gill the Piano]

1965 if the numbers in Pierce's are right. No-one can give you a valuation based on year and make; that's like asking how much a 1965 Morris Minor is worth. Depends on condition - and same goes for your piano. There are things like loose wrest pins, cracks in the soundboard or bridges or even frame, moth/mouse damage, loose centrepins...the list goes on, but most of these things only a trained person can notice. Come on, now, deep breath, hand in pocket...call a tuner/tech!

[Dan]

Thank you very much for your quick response! Didn't realise it was as old as it is - it certainly doesn't look it (to my untrained eye!). Have checked the soundboard, bridges and frame, and there is nothing in the way of cracks or damage from moths/mice.

As you say, I'll probably have to get someone in to check the wrest pins and centre pins, as these are slightly beyond me I'm afraid! Usually, the value of it wouldn't be of great importance to me, but it was purchased about 12 years ago for £1,000, and the dealer who is interested can only offer me £600. Bearing in mind that it was used sparingly, and has been taken good care of, I feel he may be taking advantage of my naivete of such things.

If anyone has any further thoughts, I'd be more than happy to hear them!

[burstok]

I own a Knight piano which I bought in Farncombe in 1977. It was made in September 1976 [see extreme left-hand side inside the bottom half.], and the serial # is 58463. I bought this particular model because there is a plate inside the lid which says it is specially constructed to withstand extremes of temperatures. The temps. here in Montreal can vary between -40c in winter and + 40c in summer. In the U.K. I was a school music teacher and have since always been involved in music projects, so my piano has been v. well cared for. It was tuned just this morning. If you are interested, it cost me $100 Canadian .... .... about 60 pounds, I believe. The tuner, a 3rd generation tuner from Russia, pointed out tiny fractures appearing in the sound board and some wear on the pads .... an untrained eye would not be able to see these minor faults.Some time in the not too distant future it will cost me $250 to have some repair work done. I would love to own a Steinway Grand!! Meanwhile I like my Knight. It has a good tone and is in a good-looking teak cabinet.

Carry on playing.

Burstok.

[Colin Nicholson]

I own a Knight piano which I bought in Farncombe in 1977. It was made in September 1976 [see extreme left-hand side inside the bottom half.], and the serial # is 58463. I bought this particular model because there is a plate inside the lid which says it is specially constructed to withstand extremes of temperatures. The temps. here in Montreal can vary between -40c in winter and + 40c in summer. In the U.K. I was a school music teacher and have since always been involved in music projects, so my piano has been v. well cared for. It was tuned just this morning. If you are interested, it cost me $100 Canadian .... .... about 60 pounds, I believe. The tuner, a 3rd generation tuner from Russia, pointed out tiny fractures appearing in the sound board and some wear on the pads .... an untrained eye would not be able to see these minor faults.Some time in the not too distant future it will cost me $250 to have some repair work done. I would love to own a Steinway Grand!! Meanwhile I like my Knight. It has a good tone and is in a good-looking teak cabinet.

Carry on playing.

Burstok.

what do you mean by 'pads' ? A new term I believe....