Expert: maura macaluso - 6/8/2007

Question
Hello, I have a piano that my parents bought in 1977. She can't remember if it is Pecan or Walnut. How can we tell the difference? I have a picture of it if you would like to see it. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Nanci,  the main difference between pecan and walnut is the color.  Pecan is a light brown wood with dark brown striping.  Walnut is much darker, almost chocolate with perhaps some light cream color striping to the grain. The grain pattern of both can be a bit wavy or pretty straight. They are both fairly hard woods and are both used extensively by piano manufacturers. There are lighter colored  english walnuts but they are extremely rare and hard to get these days, though it is possible that it was used 30 years ago.  If this is the case you may have to have someone local, eyeball the wood to see if they can tell. I doubt that you may able be able to find a place underneath the piano that has not been finished but you can pick an inconspicuous spot and gouge out a small piece, a bit deeper than a scratch.  you should be able to tell the color.  Make sure the piece you pick is part of the main frame as sometimes a secondary wood is used elsewhere.  I am not very familiar with pianos but I believe the top can be lifted so that the strings can be gotten to.  Take a look in there, something tells me that they wouldn't bother to finish the interior.  Even if unfinished, the wood will have darkened over the 30 years since it's construction and you will need to find a spot to dig into a bit.  I will be away next week but if you would like to send me a pic to further try to determine which, just reply and I will be in touch next sat.  thanks for the question