KNABE SQUARE GRAND PIANO -FULL RESTORATION - WARRANTY FREE SHIP TO ANY MAINLAND USA ZIP CODE WITH BUY IT NOW Start Price USD 9,900.00 Current Price USD 9,900.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, October 03, 2008 End Time Monday, October 13, 2008 Location Elkhart, IN See more about 'KNABE SQUARE GRAND PIANO -FULL RESTORATION - WARRANTY' Description (1) Knabe sq. grand piano front view. (2) Right side showing with lid raised.   (3) Close-up of keyboard showing exotic grain patterns. (4) Left side view showing legs and beading on case perimeter. (5) Close-up of Knabe logo and patent date above keyboard.   (6) Leg carvings. (7) Knabe name cast into piano's harp. (8) Showing hand painted flowers in original condition -on piano's harp. All pictures above are pictures of the piano for sale on this listing. The piano's description follows below:   KNABE SQ. GRAND PIANO -ROSEWOOD - LOUIS XV STYLE ART CASE - CIRCA 1870 -FULL RESTORATON - RARE 88 NOTE FULL KEYBOARD. This exquisite Knabe piano is being offered here on Ebay by Vintagegrandpianos.com - as a promotion for the restoration and sale of vintage pianos. We are now in the process of performing the Full Restoration. Upon purchase, the piano can be delivered in December. This piano-when fully restored-has a fair market retail value of 25K minimum. We have been restoring squares and other grands for over 30 years. Please call us at 574-370-7430 to ask any questions you might have. In the beginning of piano-making history - there were only a few 'names' which deservedly received the highest degree of reputation for building the finest instruments - Knabe was -and still is - one of the few. The greatest piano virtuosos played and/or owned a piano made by one of the 'chosen few.' Among the few really celebrated and artistic pianofortes in the United States, the time-honored Knabe ranks pre-eminent, being distinguished for a distinctive tone quality that has often been described as the nearest natural harmonic sound to the human singing voice. During its celebrated career it has always been identified with the highest standards of manufacture, as well as by its close association with the artistic world. Knabe has shared a significant portion of the development of musical intelligence and culture in the United States for over 170 years. Knabe pianos have always been distinctive for touch, durability and endurance, and their glorious tone combines power, sweetness, delicacy and a lyrical- nearly poetic singing quality.This exquisite piano is being offered from our collection of rare valuable vintage instruments-as a promotion for our restoration services-by Vintage Grand Pianos - for over 30 years we have been restoring vintage pianos -including many Knabe, Steinway, Chickering, and other pianos from exclusive producers of the highest quality pianos available. This Knabe piano is the perfect combination of form and function, as the impressive beauty of this piano's carved cabinetry surrounds this highly melodic musical instrument. This piano is being offered for sale while under restoration -and will be delivered with full restoration -to the new owner. It comes with a 5-year Limited Warranty. Presented on Ebay at a price which is much less than it's restored value, the Knabe is an excellent investment. All new tuning pins and strings will be installed, and the cabinetry will be completely refinished. Also, the keyboard will be restored, and completely regulated and re-worked. The piano is undergoing full restoration and will be completed for delivery in December. . When completed and delivered, this piano's market value is appraised to be 25K minimum. From an instrumental perspective, this Knabe speaks of quality in many ways-from it's highly resonant sitka spruce soundboard- totally intact(found only in the best quality pianos)-to it's very responsive keyboard with all of it's original keys-all playing even before restoration began- a testament to it's incredibly strong construction and ability to endure through the ages. Before restoration, every piano will exhibit it's unique character when it is played, and this character will blossom when restotaion is performed. With bass strings running nearly the entire length of the case's interior, the amplitude of sound produced equals that of a 7' modern grand piano. The middle and treble registers are warmly resonant and very clear in tone- creating a balance which gives this Knabe a truly classical sound- a sound which is very pleasing to hear. The keyboard's 'touch' is very light and responsive, making it easy to play. When the instrumental restoration is completed, of course, the Knabe's sound and playability will be fully maximized. The structural form of this piano is truly a fine example of an American work of art. One has only to view it's many fine hand-carved curves to feel the fine excellence of craftsmanship from this extremely rare piece. This is an art piece has a 'presence' which can warm a room. Strong 'art noveau' influences are seen in the extensive hand-carving of the piano's legs, music desk, and pedal lyre. The name 'square grand piano' was derived from the piano's case having square corners. The great majority of square grand did, in fact, have four corners. However, a small percentage of squares were built with four rounded corners- as was this Knabe. This rounded design lends itself to highly aesthetic display from any position in a room. This piano's rare physical design adds to it's value as an art object.   ABOUT SQUARE GRAND PIANOS: HISTORY AND NEW PRESENT-DAY INTEREST: The Square Grand Piano has come full circle in it's journey through History..the square...once very popular in both musical and cultural circles..is regaining it's respect after a long decline in use. The square piano originated in Europe as an evolutionary step from the harpsichord - which had the same basic case shape - to the first pianofortes - the world's first generation of pianos which were of Viennese origins. The Viennese pianos had a rectangular case shape and had four legs, like the harpsichord - but contained a playing mechanism with 'hammers' which struck the piano's strings instead of using the harpsichord's method of 'plucking' them. This important change in design resulted in a much more melodic and less metallic tone produced from felt hammers striking the strings. The pianoforte- the first piano prototype- was 'born'. When European piano makers came to America in the 19th century, they began making various pianos, including a new hybrid - the Square Grand. Since many of the 'newfound American' piano makers were German, many Viennese and German piano-making designs were incorporated into the 'new square grand.' It had improvements such as an iron plate, stronger keys, larger and sturdier frame, and longer strings for a bigger, more deep and more resonant sound. These pianos were very popular during their period of manufacture and were often designed with a beautiful combination of Viennese and Victorian influences in their 'highly-carved cabinetry.' Classical pianists performed concerts with these 'new square grands.' Artists purchased them for their parlors and they became status symbols for the 'highly-cultured' as well. Squares lived their grandest era until after the turn of the century -1900. Three-legged grands and upright pianos had begun to replace the square as louder, more brassy sounding pianos became the status quo. Also, the 'newer grands' had actions with faster repeating notes and larger thicker iron plates capable of producing louder and different sounds from strings stretched to a much higher tension. Concert halls boomed with powerful concert grands, as these pianos could play to larger concert hall venues. For nearly 100 years the modern grand - as we call it- has retained it's throne in both musical performance and design. However, as the 1980's decade proceeded, there was a revival of 'early classical' music, and a renewed interest in the instruments which were played during the 1800's. Musicians began touring with their hand-made reproductions of Viennese pianofortes- a close relative of the square grand piano. Universities became interested in promoting the playing of music of 'original instruments' from the classical period....hence the renewed interest in square grands began. Steinway (and other) square grands were given attention in the Smithsonian, where they resided. Square grands began emerging from stately mansions and were brought to my shop for restoration. During the 1990's, this interest spilled over into the 'musical public' - including accomplished 'classical music' enthusiasts, and avid collectors of American Art pieces. The Square Grand had regained it's respect and proper place in History as well as the present day. Even today..most people have neither seen nor heard a square grand which has been restored...but when they finally do experience the beauty of actually seeing and hearing the beauty of a Square Grand, they are usually amazed. In 2008, you would be more likely to see a square grand piano at a performance outside rather than inside the museum environment.  BUYING A PIANO LISTED ON EBAY: 7 IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK: (Q #1) CREDIBILITY - WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE COMPANY? (A#1) WE HAVE BEEN RESTORING VINTAGE GRAND PIANOS FOR OVER 35 YEARS- WITH PIANO RESTORATIONS AND SATISFIED CLIENTS NUMBERING IN THE HUNDREDS. (Q #2) CUSTOMER RESPONSE - IS EBAY FEEDBACK POSITIVE? (A #2) OUR FEEDBACK IS 100% POSITIVE. PLEASE TAKE A MOMENT TO READ IT. (Q #3) WARRANTY - DOES THE PIANO HAVE A WARRANTY? (A #3) YES. A FIVE YEAR LTD. WARRANTY. WHICH COVERS THE COMPLETE SOUNDBOARD,HARP, STRINGS, AND TUNING PINS. (Q #4) SAFE DELIVERY- WILL THE PIANO BE SAFELY DELIVERED BY SKILLED PIANO MOVERS? (A #4) YES. OUR MOVERS ARE HIGHLY SKILLED IN SAFELY MOVING VINTAGE PIANOS, AND HAVE NEVER DAMAGED A PIANO DELIVERED FOR US. PIANOS ARE FULLY INSURED DURING DELIVERY AT ALL TIMES. (Q #5) QUALITY OF PIANO AND WORKMANSHIP - IS THIS A HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT? (A #5) YES. THIS KNABE PIANO IS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY. WE EXCLUSIVELY SELL ONLY THE HIGHEST QUALITY PIANOS EVER MADE. OUR RESTORATION SKILLS ARE THE BEST. (Q #6) PRODUCT PRESENTATION - ARE THE PICTURES AND DESCRIPTION DETAILED AND CLEAR? (A #6) YES. OUR GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE PICTORIAL VIEW OF THE PIANO, AND GIVE THE MOST COMPLETE DESCRIPTION POSSIBLE WITHIN THE EBAY LISTING FORMAT. (WE RECEIVE MANY COMPLIMENTS ON OUR PRESENTATIONS FROM EBAY CLIENTS.) (Q #7) SELLER/ BUYER COMMUNICATION- WILL I RECEIVE A QUICK RESPONSE FOR MY QUESTION? (A #7) YES. YOUR QUESTIONS WILL BE USUALLY BE ANSWERED WITHIN 12 HOURS OR LESS. IF THE ANSWERS TO ALL SEVEN IMOPRTANT QUESTIONS ARE 'YES', THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE A STRONG LOGICAL BASIS FOR KNOWING - CONFIDENTLY-THAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH A REPUTABLE FIRM. TO PLACE A BID USING 'BUY IT NOW': WITH THIS OPTION, THE ENTIRE AMOUNT OF $9,900 WILL BE PAID WITHIN 7 DAYS FROM END.  IF YOU HAVE DECIDED TO PLACE A BID TO PURCHASE THE PIANO WITH 'BUY IT NOW', AND HAVE NOT PURCHASED OR SOLD ON EBAY AND/OR HAVE A "0" FEEDBACK, THEN I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH YOU BEFORE YOU PLACE YOUR BID-JUST LEAVE A CONTACT NUMBER AND I WILL CALL YOU. IF YOU ARE THE WINNING BIDDER, THEN PLEASE MAKE CONTACT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE AUCTION'S END. I WILL NEED YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE AUCTION ENDS. TO PLACE A 'BEST OFFER' BID: YOU MAY PLACE YOUR 'BEST OFFER' TO PURCHASE THIS PIANO AT A PRICE LESS THAN $9,900. ONLY REASONABLE OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED. REASONABLE OFFERS REQUESTING FREE SHIPPING WILL BE CONSIDERED. PLEASE EMAIL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS.   SHIPPING: IF YOU PURCHASE THE PIANO WITH 'BUY IT NOW', THEN WE WILL PROVIDE FREE DELIVERY/SET-UP TO ANY MAINLAND USA ZIP CODE LOCATION. IF YOU PURCHASE THE PIANO WITH A 'BEST OFFER BID, THEN SHIPPING WILL BE PROVIDED ONLY IF SPECIFIED AS PART OF YOUR 'BEST OFFER' BID, AND AGREED TO. OTHERWISE, THE BUYER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL SHIPPING COSTS. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE US ARRANGE FOR SHIPPING, THEN WE CAN DO THAT...JUST CONTACT US FOR A QUOTE. ALL SHIPPING COSTS WILL BE PAID BEFORE THE PIANO IS SHIPPED. NOTE: (WE CANNOT ARRANGE FOR FOREIGN SHIPMENT, AND WE WILL NOT ACCEPT FUNDS FOR FOREIGN SHIPMENT.) SHIPPING IS PROVIDED EXCLUSIVELY BY FULLY INSURED MOVERS-VARIOUS CARRIERS-EXPERIENCED IN MOVING GRAND PIANOS. THE MOVERS I CONTRACT HAVE NEVER DAMAGED A PIANO FOR MY CLIENTS OR FOR US.  DELIVERY INCLUDES SET-UP, OF COURSE. BIDDING INSTRUCTIONS AND GUIDLINES: (1) IF YOU ARE A NEW MEMBER, THEN I WILL BE GLAD TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE  ABOUT THE BIDDING /PURCHASING PROCESS. NEW MEMBERS AND/OR MEMBERS WITH FEEDBACK BELOW '5' PLEASE LEAVE A CONTACT NUMBER BEFORE PLACING A BID, AND I WILL CALL YOU.   (2) WE STRONGLY REQUEST AND DEMAND THAT A BID NOT BE PLACED BY A BIDDER WHO WILL NOT  MEET THE PAYMENT TERMS OUTLINED IN THE TEXT BELOW. (3) WE WILL NOT RESPOND TO REQUESTS FOR FOREIGN SHIPMENT AND/OR ANY DEALS 'OUTSIDE OF EBAY' OR OUTSIDE THE EXACT PERAMETERS OF THIS AUCTION FORMAT. WE CANNOT ACCEPT ANY EXCESS FUNDS EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHICH WILL PAY FOR THE PIANO AND IT'S SHIPPING TO A ZIP CODE WITHIN THE UNITED STATES LOWER 48. (4) WE WILL ONLY RESPOND TO EMAILS WHICH ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THIS EBAY ITEM. IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT A PIANO WHICH YOU ARE CONSIDERING HAVING RESTORED..OR A QUESTION ABOUT A PIANO YOU ARE CONSIDERING SELLING, THEN PLEASE LOGON TO www.vintagegrandpianos.com AND CLICK ON THE 'CONTACT US' BUTTON -EMAIL LINK. (5) IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ITEM - ALWAYS ASK THEM BEFORE PLACING A BID. PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS: (1) PAYMENT METHODS ACCEPTED: PAYPAL: SEE BELOW: (2) PAYMENT IN FULL INCLUDING SHIPPING COSTS IF APPLICABLE MUST BE RECEIVED WITHIN SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER AUCTION'S END. (3) PAYMENT BY PAYPAL MUST BE MADE WITHIN 7 DAYS, AFTER AUCTION'S END. PLEASE NOTE THAT 'SENDING AMOUNT RESTRICTIONS' MAY APPLY TO SOME PAYPAL ACCOUNTS WHICH WOULD NOT ALLOW THE PAYMENT BY THIS METHOD. YOU MAY WANT TO CONTACT PAYPAL BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO PAY WITH PAYPAL TO VERIFY THAT THE ACCOUNT USED TO PAY IS APPROVED TO SEND THIS ITEM'S AMOUNT. IN THE EVENT THAT YOU CHOOSE TO USE PAYPAL AND YOUR ACCOUNT HAS A SENDING AMOUNT RESTRICTION. YOU MAY ELECT TO PAY IN MULTIPLE TRANSACTIONS WITHIN THE REQUESTED TIME PERIOD OF 7 DAYS. .http://www.vintagegrandpianos.com Please call us at 574-370-7430 to ask any questions you might have about this Knabe piano-or use "Ask Seller A Question" in this listing. PEACE. LOVE.   HAPPINESS.               > Place a Bid!