Do pianos die?
Absolutely. Pianos can be junked because of one devastating problem such as a badly broken cast iron plate (see why is my piano so darn heavy?), or because of an overwhelming amount of smaller problems that make restoration economically unfeasible. I am occasionally in the position of having to inform a client that their piano has reached the end of its useful life, and although it is sad to have to do so, I'd rather condemn the piano than bring them false hope and useless expense. When called to do an estimate, I'm expected to be objective, not sentimental.
Many piano parts can be recycled. In the restoration of other pianos I often am able to reuse many parts. In fact I have an extensive collection of good condition parts and am often able to use "original equipment" when restoring an older piano.
I have built clavichords and hammered dulcimers almost entirely from junk piano sources.
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