<p>I have the good fortune to own a piano that has been passed down multiple times since the 1950s by people who recognized its limitations. It's the piano I played on as a child subjected to the tender mercies of Mrs Demick, Mrs Hodder, and Mr Guernsey, none of whom could make me fall in love with the instrument despite being wonderful people and fine musicians in their own right.</p>
<p>It's a Shearer upright that cannot be tuned to true pitch, and possibly can no longer be tuned at all. The major function it serves in our home is sentimental: baby pictures and HS graduation pictures of the kids plus our wedding picture cover the top. (This continues my childhood tradition: I practiced under the stern eye of my deceased grandparents...)</p>
<p>I'd like to put the poor thing out of its misery.</p>
<p>But at the same time I don't want to get rid of it. While I'm familiar with the various "piano as public art" projects and at one time tried sincerely to donate it for a piano burning, I'm thinking I'd like to hold on to it as a piece of furniture. </p>
<p>Is it possible to take out the "guts" of the instrument and retain the outer box? I'm envisioning something like a bookshelf, or even better, a music cabinet. My carpentry skills are limited to hanging photographs unevenly, so this would be a project that I would hire someone to do. </p>
<p>Is this even possible? What would need to be done and does anyone know how expensive it might be?</p>