Are old pianos worth any money?

Yes, some old pianos are worth real money, but most are not, and age alone tells you very little. A piano's value comes down to brand, condition, and originality, not how long it has been in the family.

Well-known makers such as Steinway, Yamaha, Kawai, Mason & Hamlin, or Bechstein can hold meaningful resale value even decades after production, especially in grand pianos. A common no-name upright, on the other hand, often has little to no market value once it passes the 40-year mark, and some are worth less than the cost of moving them. Between those extremes sits a wide range: a well-maintained older upright from a respected brand might bring several hundred to a couple thousand dollars, while a used grand in good playing condition from a premium maker can reach into the thousands.

Condition weighs heavily on the outcome. A piano that holds tuning, has a sound soundboard and action, and shows no water damage, cracking, or pest issues will always outperform one that has sat neglected, regardless of the name on the fallboard. Prior restoration can raise value, but restoration costs frequently exceed what the work adds to the resale price, so it rarely pays for itself on lower-value instruments.

If you're trying to determine whether your specific piano has value, start with its brand, serial number, size, and current condition. For a documented, defensible number, a professional piano appraisal prepared in accordance with USPAP gives you a fair market value you can rely on for a sale, insurance, estate, or donation purpose. You may also find it useful to read about what a fair price for a used piano looks like or how to tell if your piano is worth anything.