Just how long do pianos really live anyway?

Rodgers' Piano @ http://www.pianorestoring.com/frames.htm
Assuming that your piano is kept in an environment that has reasonable levels of humidity, heat and air purity a piano can last practically forever.  The humidity should be between 30% and 60% with no exposures outside that range for any length of time and only for occasional brief occurances (like moving).  The heat a piano can tolerate can be quite extraordinary provided it is only subjected to extremes for limited periods of time and limited occurances.  Normally the piano should live between 60 degrees and 80 degrees all year 'round.  As to the air, coal dust that was common in the 1800's and early 1900's was horrible on pianos and organs of all kinds.  Now our air is cleaner but cigar and cigarette smoke can be very toxic to a piano and can create problems that can only be remedied with rebuilding.

Finally, your piano needs to be tuned by a good tuner at least once a year and you should do what he/she tells you is needed for your piano promptly upon being told.  The tuner is your friend and is eager to preserve your investment and keep your costs down (at least the honest ones of us do this.)  Keep in mind that a piano of traditional construction will need to have its pin block, action parts, bridges and sound board replaced one a century but even better if done once every 50 to 80 years.  The core of the piano will live practically forever provided the "perishable" components are kept refreshed and in good order and the core is given the living conditions described above.

I'm in possession of an 1885 Chickering concert grand piano myself.  This piano has definitely spent time outside the proper limits.  But the core is still sound so I can do with it all I wish with the expectation of having a piano that is better than it was when it was new after I'm done.  See future blogs to learn what I do with this special and very old piece.  Actually, although I call it "very old" there are many instruments out there that make mine look like a spring chicken.  But I acquired what I have because I wanted a piece with bones I could do things with that I had in mind.  Watch for future installments about this piano in the future.