M Schultz Co. Upright piano info?!? I have an upright piano. It says M Schults Co. The serial number is 30313. The serial number (NOT the model number) of the piano. To locate the serial number on a vertical piano, open the top and look inside. Almost all of them include the serial number on the plate in a small 'window' near the tuning pins. The number will usually be a 4 to 7 digit number, but may include a letter or two. The History of M. Schulz Pianos Established in the great piano hub of Chicago in 1869, by Mathias Schulz, M. Manufactured quite a few lines of pianos in its day. Some of the piano manufacturer’s more popular lines included Irving, Maynard, and Bradford, in addition to their own name brand line.
It is actually much easier to approach the topic of value from an entirely different perspective. First, let's talk availability. Today, on the Internet, there are people who are selling 'complete' circa 1920 upright player pianos in unrestored condition for less than $200.00, and there are dozens to choose from. As far as prices at auctions, upright players hardly ever command more than $800.00 in working or semi-working condition. The same is true at sites like CraigsList. Here in New Jersey, if you can get $1200-$1500 for a fully functional circa 1920's player piano, you're having a great day. Reproducing players can go for as high as $14,000.00 to $16,000, and higher, but only when the piano is in the highest class and in perfect working order. Again, we come back to condition, for it is the condition of a unit, both inside and out, which determines it's basic value. Let's say you have a working player that looks pretty nice and is regularly maintained by a qualified player piano technician. I can almost guarantee that the technician has a good idea of the units value and would be happy to tell you. If the unit looks nice and is not well maintained, you will most likely have to hire a professional to evaluate the units condition and he will give you an idea of it's approximate value. Let's say the unit looks pretty rough, has chipped ivories, a few corners crushed in, ding marks here and there and the player doesn't work but it's intact. Well, it's considered unrestored and it's worth less than $200.00. What about restoring the unit. Surely they must become more valuable if they have been professionally restored. WRONG! At the present moment, it costs more to restore a player piano than it's worth. Remember those units that I was offered for the cost of moving? I usually decline the offer because even at cost, it's almost impossible to sell a restored unit for what I've put into it in time and materials. Generally speaking, the return one can expect is $0.35 for every dollar spent in repair or restoration costs. Then you might wonder, 'Why have it restored?' Answer... because you love it. That's the only reasonable answer. Player pianos are not an investment!!! Unlike a fine violin, player pianos get WORSE with AGE and every single one will have to be restored, at a healthy fee, at least every forty years (much sooner on certain types). Ouch! So, what's it worth? If you haven't figured it out by now, you need the services of a profession technician who will charge about $80.00 to $95.00 an hour for his talents. Frankly, that's a lot less expensive than just two of the main reference books that any qualified technician has in his office and most good technicians have dozens of books. Have we got the time to do all the research for free? Frankly, No! It's best if you hire a professional rebuilder and have him perform a complete evaluation. If you have the Name of the Manufacturer, the Serial Number and the units General Condition, i.e., working or non-working player mechanism, appearance, etc., then visit the Blue Book of Pianos website and write to Bob Furst. He has collected quite a bit of information about numerous piano companies. As a final word, all of the above is simply my opinion based on forty years as a player piano technician. I could be wrong!
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This page was last revised on April 6, 2020 by John A. Tuttle.
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The History of M. Schulz Pianos
Strohber Piano Serial Numbers
Established in the great piano hub of Chicago in 1869, by Mathias Schulz, M. Schulz & Co. manufactured quite a few lines of pianos in its day. Some of the piano manufacturer’s more popular lines included Irving, Maynard, and Bradford, in addition to their own name brand line.
In the early 1920’s, Otto Schulz, Mathias Schulz’s son, took control of the company and successfully grew the business by acquiring the Mathias Organ Company. In addition to expanding their selection to include organs, the company also designed the Aria Divina Reproducing Action, which they implemented in their reproducing pianos.
M. Schulz & Company was very successful until the Great Depression hit and they, like so many others, was forced to shut down due to lack of demand. The original Schulz building engraving still adorns a modern renovated building today in Chicago. [1]
M Schulz Piano Serial Number Age
About M. Schulz Pianos
M. Schulz manufactured grand and upright pianos, as well as reproducing and player pianos – all of which had a reputation as first-class instruments. Known for their highly accurate, almost perfect scale, M. Schulz pianos were crafted from quality materials. Each instrument was built with great care, so as to uphold the company’s reputation.
M Schulz Piano Serial Number
When played, M. Schulz pianos have a round, mellow, pure sound that is easily distinguished by the discerning musician. The pleasing notes these instruments produce are housed in equally visually appealing casework; a true treat for any pianist. [2]
Restoring a M. Schulz Piano
After total restoration, an M. Schulz upright piano can be worth up to $18,000. Depending on the depth of restoration that your M. Schulz piano needs, it may not make financial sense for you to restore it. Our restoration experts at Lindeblad can review your instrument, provide you with an estimate, and walk you through the restoration process. Reach out to us today and let us help you determine the worth of your piano!
References:
[1] Pierce, W. Robert. Pierce Piano Atlas: Anniversary Edition, 2017 Our 70th Year. Albuquerque: Ashley, 2017. Print.
[2] http://www.bluebookofpianos.com/agess.htm#M.%20SCHULZ%20&%20CO
![]() M Schulz Piano For Sale
Images:
http://forsaleinhaslet.blogspot.com/2008/11/1913-m-schulz-co-upright-piano.html
http://www.chicagonow.com/look-back-chicago/2013/05/forgotten-merchants-m-schulz-co/#image/3
M Schulz Baby Grand Piano
http://www.chicagonow.com/look-back-chicago/2013/05/forgotten-merchants-m-schulz-co/#image/1
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