Trash

[Jim Alfredson]

If it works..I think if it worked, they'd sell it, not throw it out. I better just save up my money.

Oh, you have much to learn, grasshopper...

This is a true story. My father is a piano technician/tuner. One day, in the summer of 1998 (I think... can't quite remember) he gets a call from a guy. The guy says, "Yeah, I got your number from the side of your van. I got this organ in my barn and I wondered if you might want it." My dad asks him some questions about it and determines that it might be a B3. So we go to take a look at it.

The guy literally lives down the street from my dad. Within walking distance. So we head over there and sure enough, sitting in his barn, is a B3. It had a broken key, no fallboard (the piece of wood that covers the keys when not in use), no pedals, no bench, no speaker, but it's a B3 in great condition.

The guy tells us he was driving out in the country, saw the organ in someone's front row among a pile of trash, thought it was pretty, so he wrestled it onto his truck. (He probably left the pedals, bench, etc... but oh well). He then stored it in his barn for a few months before realizing he didn't need it.

Final cost to us: $20.

And after a little oiling of the motor and fixing the broken key, it works great. That's the organ on our record (and the upcoming new record) and that I use live every week.

People are weird. They throw stuff out. My dad has gotten so many pianos for free that are beautiful instruments that I've lost count. I got my piano for free.

Next time you see a Hammond on the side of the road and it's a tonewheel model, pick it up!!!

[Ed S]

Somewat related

About 5 years ago now, I was looking for a piano so my older son could start piano lessons. One of my nephews called me one day and said he saw a piano in the classifieds for $1. I figured it had to be a joke or a hunk of junk, but when I called, the guy said that it was a nice upright piano in very good condition. He just wanted to get rid of it and wanted it to be used and in a good home.

I told him about my son starting piano lessons and he said that he's hold it for me. A couple of hours later, my dad and I showed up to check the thing out. Fabulous condition. Looked great, played great, but needed a tuning.

My father and I had to drag he thing down about 8 stairs and up into a van, but we did it. When the seller saw how hard we worked, he would not even take the $1.

I got the piano tuned and the person who worked on it said it's probably worth $700 or $800. We've been using it ever since and I plan on keeping it for a good long time.

Edited May 12, 2005 by Ed Swinnich

[marcello]

"My dad has gotten so many pianos for free that are beautiful instruments that I've lost count. I got my piano for free."

Jim, I saw a program on a non-profit that takes old pianos and sends them to Cuba as a reaction/answer to the boycott. They are from the Bay Area.

I do some work with school children ( as a supporter) that promotes music, especially jazz, in schools in Rochester. As a homebulider, every year I meet someone who dosn't want to move their piano so I make sure some family with a talented kid get it.

And for "The Little Grasshopper"... I think you should get yourself a axe and wail on THAT keyboard for a little while!

[Jazz Kat]

If it works..I think if it worked, they'd sell it, not throw it out. I better just save up my money. 

Oh, you have much to learn, grasshopper...

This is a true story. My father is a piano technician/tuner. One day, in the summer of 1998 (I think... can't quite remember) he gets a call from a guy. The guy says, "Yeah, I got your number from the side of your van. I got this organ in my barn and I wondered if you might want it." My dad asks him some questions about it and determines that it might be a B3. So we go to take a look at it.

The guy literally lives down the street from my dad. Within walking distance. So we head over there and sure enough, sitting in his barn, is a B3. It had a broken key, no fallboard (the piece of wood that covers the keys when not in use), no pedals, no bench, no speaker, but it's a B3 in great condition.

The guy tells us he was driving out in the country, saw the organ in someone's front row among a pile of trash, thought it was pretty, so he wrestled it onto his truck. (He probably left the pedals, bench, etc... but oh well). He then stored it in his barn for a few months before realizing he didn't need it.

Final cost to us: $20.

And after a little oiling of the motor and fixing the broken key, it works great. That's the organ on our record (and the upcoming new record) and that I use live every week.

People are weird. They throw stuff out. My dad has gotten so many pianos for free that are beautiful instruments that I've lost count. I got my piano for free.

Next time you see a Hammond on the side of the road and it's a tonewheel model, pick it up!!!

Well it's gone. I guess all guys who have a B-3 now-a-days don't just go buy it in a store, (most of the time.) There's usually a cool story on how they retrieved it. I guess I'll have to wait. I have been jamming on my electric piano all day today, (have it on organ sound) and it has been fun for now. I hope to get a real organ someday, but now I'll have to use what I got.

Jim you give organ lessons?

[Jim Alfredson]

Jim you give organ lessons?

Yes, ready?

Listen to Jimmy Smith.

[Jazz Kat]

That's where I have been getting all my lessons up to now. The great organ records!