How to dispose of a piano?

April 18, 2005 10:28 AM

Nobody wants my 100 year old concert upright piano. I have to absolutely get rid of it. But how?

I've tried offering it for free, including moving costs, to likely and even unlikely places, with no luck. Our local trashmen will pick it up if we hire piano movers to place it on the curb. Then it gets dumped in a landfill. Is there some other solution I might consider?

posted by subatomiczoo to Home & Garden (27 answers total)

Could you email me a picture? I might be interested, and pay for moving costs.
posted by xammerboy at 10:30 AM on April 18, 2005

It wouldn't be me, it would be my girlfriend, so others that are interested should still chime in.
posted by xammerboy at 10:32 AM on April 18, 2005

Have you tried Freecycle?
posted by jacquilynne at 10:34 AM on April 18, 2005

Where are you? If you are within 50 miles of Asheville, NC, I want it & will come pick it up.
posted by mygothlaundry at 10:35 AM on April 18, 2005

I'll take it too, and I probably know people in various metropolitan areas who would take it. Where are you?
posted by geoff. at 10:38 AM on April 18, 2005

Response by poster: the piano is in madison wisconsin!
posted by subatomiczoo at 10:41 AM on April 18, 2005

I would try Madison Freecycle and local schools, if you haven't already.
posted by cushie at 10:47 AM on April 18, 2005

Have you tried craigslist? That one is the Milwaukee version - there might be a closer location listed on the right side.

If only Hartford were closer...
posted by Moondoggie at 10:48 AM on April 18, 2005

Donate to a church? We donated a crappy old upright that was left behind when we moved into our new house.
posted by scratch at 10:53 AM on April 18, 2005

I would bet if you post it in the "free stuff" for chicago craigslist it'll be gone quite shortly. Other ideas: donate it to a school? Donate it to a charity?
posted by true at 10:55 AM on April 18, 2005

I know someone who's looking for a piano, especially if it's cheap or free. Email me.
posted by suchatreat at 11:04 AM on April 18, 2005

I'll nth the suggestion for giving it to a school. Especially one that doesn't have a lot of room in their music budget. They'll love you forever. I assume it's in tune?
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 11:11 AM on April 18, 2005

Aww, too far. Otherwise I'd want it. Would a 100-year-old piano qualify for exhibition in your local classical concert venue?
posted by casarkos at 11:11 AM on April 18, 2005

When we bought our house, there was a piano in it, and we thought we were going to get to keep it. But then an urban church that the owners had contacted came to get it, and we were thrilled that it was going to a good home. I don't think the church had its own piano before that, so all were happy all around.
posted by GaelFC at 11:15 AM on April 18, 2005

Launch it with a trebuchet, obviously.
posted by driveler at 11:15 AM on April 18, 2005

Is it in good working order? I am in Madison, Wisconsin, and used to program the Cinematheque, which I happen to know is in the market for a new piano for its many silent film screenings.
If the cost of tuning it and transporting it is less than the cost of getting an entirely new piano, and if the Cinematheque high sheriffs deem it tuneworthy, I think I can find a home for yer piano.
posted by Dr. Wu at 11:16 AM on April 18, 2005

If you can't give it away, donate, donate, donate.

Here's a brainstorm list:Try schools, youth groups, churches, Elks, Moose and few halls, retirement facilities, your town hall, YMC or G A, contact a piano tuner for leads, churches, contact piano teachers, contact conference centers, rehabilitation facilities, hospitals and, public assess TV stations.
If all else fails, please consider driveler's suggestion. It's fun and wholesome family entertainment.
posted by johnj at 11:40 AM on April 18, 2005

The flinging of pianos dates back at least to Nothern Exposure. It's a fine tradition.
posted by Alylex at 1:31 PM on April 18, 2005

if all else fails, cut it up into pieces and make something out of it...
posted by judith at 1:34 PM on April 18, 2005

urm, Northern
posted by Alylex at 1:38 PM on April 18, 2005

judith: if all else fails, cut it up into pieces and make something out of it...

Ya. A 100 year old piano is pre ivory ban. Lots of wood workers would pay for the privialge of taking it away just for the keys.
posted by Mitheral at 1:56 PM on April 18, 2005

My parents in Palo Alto are similarly looking to de-piano from a less old (1970's) but still in good condition concert upright. If any nearby MeFi'er wants to retrieve it, I'm sure they'd be just as happy doing that as listing it on Craig's. [My email's in the profile.]
posted by thomascrown at 2:25 PM on April 18, 2005

Subatomiczoo - if none of the above Madisonians can take the piano off of your hands, please send me a note (my email address is in my profile) - I know someone in Monona who would probably be happy to relieve you of your piano.
posted by UKnowForKids at 2:26 PM on April 18, 2005

I am in Madison and need a piano for a good cause (the UW Cinematheque)! Can you email me (yoshikami at gmail dot com) and we can discuss this more?
posted by tulseluper at 2:57 PM on April 18, 2005

I'm not 100% sure, but you might just post about it online somewhere.
Lots of people may offer to take it off your hands. :D
posted by whoda at 7:05 PM on April 18, 2005

If you do happen to decide to destroy it by dropping it from a crane, and record the sound, I want a copy of the sound it makes.

Just sayin'.
posted by geekhorde at 7:50 PM on April 18, 2005

What geekhorde said.
But I hope it will continue to make music, instead.
posted by Goofyy at 11:50 PM on April 18, 2005