Bosendorfer appraisal

[VOCE88]

In a message dated 98-02-28 03:36:47 EST, you write:

<< Dear List,
 
 I got a call to look at a Bosendorfer today that was 6' 7".  It was baby blue
 on the outside, inner rim and some detail was Sepele.  The lower part of the
 lid was also Sapele.  The piano was a designer grand from 1958. The nose of
 the piano slanted down to the floor about 8 inches lower than one would
 expect.  The action was paralell to the floor.  The rake of the hammers
 compensated for the strings slanting downward.   The piano was made to look
 "modern".  The space age look was "in" in the art deco era of the 50's.  The
 plate was a soft grey blue.  All the strings were individually tied and had
 matching soft grey blue punchings to match at the hitch pins.  The customer
 would like an estimate of value.  It was purchased from the Seatle
area....Del
 do you know of this piano?  I have an idea it is worth $40 - 50k to the right
 buyer.  The piano plays like a dream.  Warm and dark yet has good sassy
attack
 when you lay into it hard.  The hammers need light reshaping and very little
 regulation.  The knuckles looked good and I reconditioned with teflon powder
 and brass brushing.  Strings had a little rust in treble where kids may have
 strummed the strings and left a oily residue to discolor the strings.  That
 came right off with a quick 3M scotch bright pad.  Please help if you can.
It
 was fun to see this piano.  They want to turn it quick to make a fast buck.
I
 think they paid $24,000 for it.  Am I out of line to say the piano has a
 replacement value of say $50,000?
 
 Thanks for your help,
 
 Ed Tomlinson
 Vancouver WA >>

Hi Ed -

     Of course, we all know that value on paper is different from the "real"
value - ESPECIALLY when you talking about such an unusual piano. If your
family wanted to wait for the right person they may get closer to that
50,000.00. However, in today's market, that instrument will be a hard sell. 

     Any chance of marketing it on the 'WWW ? That may be the best way. Or
place it somewhere that is known for unusual instruments, say Cunningham Piano
Co. of Philadelphia, perhaps?

     Good Luck,

Richard Galassini
Cunningham Piano Co.
Phila.,Pa.
215 438 3200