Need Some Help from the Real World

Alan Barnard tune4u@earthlink.net
Sun, 18 Sep 2005 14:10:33 -0500


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This is a portion of the letter I am sending my customer's insurance company:

"Subj: Appraisal and insurance valuation of policy owner’s Steinway & Sons model M grand piano, serial number 473688, built (and purchased new) in 1981
 
To Whom It May Concern
 
I thoroughly inspected this instrument on Friday, September 17, 2005. This included removing and inspecting the action, which comprises most of the moving parts that are subject to wear and tear with usage.
 
I found the piano to be in very fine to excellent condition in all particulars including appearance and condition of the case & lid; soundboard; bass and tenor/treble bridges; strings; legs and casters; pedal mechanism and lyre; hammers, dampers, whippens, and related action parts; lid hinges and other hardware.
 
1981 was a transition year for Steinway action parts. From 1961 on, they used a Teflon bushing system for all action flanges. Designed to reduce problems caused by humidity variations that result in dimensional changes in wood and felt, the Teflon parts actually introduced more problems. Beginning sometime in 1981, Steinway reverted to rock maple flanges with felt bushings, which they had used prior to 1961 and has been the nearly exclusive practice of all other manufacturers for over 300 years. This piano was built with felt bushings."

This piano needs regulation, badly, but hasn't been played all that much. The hammers have fairly shallow and clearly defined grooves. No green gunk, no Teflon. The case is low-gloss or satin black with square legs. It includes an adjustable black leather artist's bench (not a dual) in excellent condition.

>>> I would dearly appreciate responses from as many people as possible who have a knowledge of the market for used Steinway grands. Personally, I have none: We don't see many good pianos out here in the sticks. My edition of Larry Fine does not cover this period and I'm not sure his general pricing guidelines are helpful here, anyway.

Please specify the market your estimates would be for, e.g., "In Cincinnati proper .... out in rural Ohio, ...." Etc.

>>> Also, this piano is for sale, if anyone is interested. No one still at home is a player and they want to move to a smaller house. Any interest? 

Alan Barnard
Salem, Missouri


Alan Barnard
Salem, Missouri
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