# How to get rid of an old piano? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 30, 2022, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159 "2022-06-30T01:15:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/21 "2022-06-30T11:51:39Z")
Heads up - pianos aren’t easy to move w/o damage to the piano, your home, or yourself. Something to consider whether you are trying to move it to the curb yourself, or inviting someone who is uninsured into your home to move it. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/22 "2022-06-30T14:29:22Z")
[This](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuuJr6i9mcA&ab_channel=BestMovieTrailer) takes care of the piano… and other things. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/23 "2022-06-30T19:41:12Z")
> **[r/trebuchetmemes - Classic Trebuchet Satisfaction](https://www.reddit.com/r/trebuchetmemes/comments/71m8jn/classic_trebuchet_satisfaction/)** > > 58 votes and 13 comments so far on Reddit ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/24 "2022-06-30T19:59:08Z")
Been there, [done that](https://schumanchu.eu/html/r1/r1_00120.html). I also composed a [concerto for piano and five stories](https://schumanchu.eu/html/r1/r1_00118.html) in G moll (G = 9,81 m/s²) that I have not been able to perform yet. Wanna give it a try? ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/25 "2022-06-30T20:06:56Z")
My dad accepted a piano as a gift once. Mom was not pleased. It was in terrible shape and nobody in the family plays. I came home from school one day and the piano was all taken apart and on the curb for trash, except for the sound board. We played with the sound board for a bit and…well I don’t remember how dad got rid of that. Our trash company is pretty good at taking large items so dad may have put it on the curb. ---
**Author:** ![StarvingButStrong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/starvingbutstrong/32/335_2.png) [@StarvingButStrong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StarvingButStrong)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/26 "2022-06-30T20:17:33Z")
A cup or so of gasoline, and a match? My family moved about a lot when I was a child, due to my father’s job kept transferring him. One of the houses we rented when I was eight or so came with a huuuuge (or so it seemed to me) upright piano in a room off the living room that we kids sometimes ‘played.’ My mother asked the landlady how she wasn’t worried that someone would damage or steal the piano. The landlady said she lived in hopes of that. It was still there when we left. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/27 "2022-06-30T20:23:03Z")
> [@StarvingButStrong](#): > > A cup or so of gasoline, and a match? I know someone who burned the wooden parts of an old player piano. That smoke from old wood really smells different. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/28 "2022-06-30T21:14:59Z")
My mother couldn’t find anyone who wanted to but her upright piano. It was decent make and she had it tuned once in a while but no one was really interested. Her best prospect was someone who had a child learning piano and only had room for an upright. Then they found a Steinway for a decent prize and didn’t even want mom’s piano for free. I don’t recall if someone took it away for free or it was sold with the house in the end. Anyone who actually wants a used piano will find an oversupply of them on the market. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/29 "2022-06-30T21:15:35Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I know someone who burned the wooden parts of an old player piano. That smoke from old wood really smells different. Like old paint and varnish? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/30 "2022-06-30T21:21:05Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > You could drop it on a coyote. Seems legit. > **[The Acme Piano Company - San Diego, CA](https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-acme-piano-company-san-diego-2)** > > Specialties: Serving San Diego, Riverside, Orange County, Los Angeles, and surrounding areas. As the definition of 'Acme' declares, Acme The Piano Company provides the peak of perfection in every aspect of our business. If you are seeking new piano... ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/31 "2022-06-30T21:27:49Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Here’s an alternative method of disposal: And another. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/6Rn8jBzsg9U/hqdefault.jpg "Piano on Fire Trebuchet Toss at Burning Man 2015") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Rn8jBzsg9U) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/32 "2022-06-30T21:30:37Z")
When we got rid of our old piano a year or two ago, we called the city and scheduled a large item pickup, then dragged it out to the curb. (Literally. Two of the casters broke off as we were coming down off the front step, so we couldn’t even roll it.) It was kinda cool when the city came to pick it up. They drove up in basically a big dump truck with a crane arm on the back, grabbed it with the claw, swung it around and unceremoniously dropped it in the back of the truck. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/33 "2022-06-30T21:53:19Z")
I suggest calling nursing homes and independent living centers. They need piano for church services and resident entertainment. Volunteers often come and provide live music. A nursing home might have a beat up piano and would jump at the chance to upgrade. I’d even consider giving them the piano and hiring movers. Write it off as a charity expense. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2022, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/34 "2022-06-30T22:48:41Z")
Generally, you pay professional haulers to take it away. But … You sometime get lucky. Some relatives spent some time with us helping to prep for our move. One of them is a WHIZ at Facebook Marketplace. Among stuff we thought was going to be tossed or given to thrift stores but was sold for actual $$$ was the piano. The buyer and us had the manpower and gear to get it out safely. They were very appreciative. So, try such online listings first. You never know. But the care in moving trumps the cash. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/35 "2022-07-01T00:49:41Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Like old paint and varnish? Maybe a little but it’s the same smell from after a wooden structure (house, garage, etc) fire. The older wood just smells different. > [@Shoeless](#): > > They drove up in basically a big dump truck with a crane arm on the back, grabbed it with the claw, swung it around and unceremoniously dropped it in the back of the truck. That impact must have sounded awesome. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2022, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/36 "2022-07-01T01:06:32Z")
Upright? Not in perfect condition? Not famous name? People give them away for free all the time. Offer it on Craigslist or FB for free- but they must do all the moving. Perfect condition Steinway Grand? Very marketable. ---
**Author:** ![LH75](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lh75/32/4438_2.png) [@LH75](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LH75)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/37 "2022-07-02T00:23:17Z")
We go to a lot of estate sales. The people that run the sales say that pianos and pool tables are teh hardest things to get rid of ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/38 "2022-07-02T05:05:25Z")
> [@jnglmassiv](#): > > That impact must have sounded awesome. Only surpassed if it landed on a pile of bagpipes. ---
**Author:** ![dummygladhands71](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c0e974/32.png) [@dummygladhands71](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dummygladhands71)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/39 "2022-07-02T15:24:45Z")
I 've seen them made into nifty outdoor planters ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2022, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159/40 "2022-07-02T15:56:08Z")
I brought home 2 pianos I picked up at an estate sale for free. I disassembled both for the wood, sold the strings to a local piano tuner (he was thrilled, new piano strings are expensive) and sold all the keys and hammers through a thrift store. I ended up burning much of the wood in my wood stove due to a 2 week long power outage. I still have 3 of the 4 hinges and one of the tops is a shelf in a bar I built. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-piano/967159.md?page=3)