Inquiry

[Farrell]

I suggest to take the salvage value of that piano in your area ($5,000??? -
maybe more if it is a fancy case and the soundboard is crowned nicely and
strings have good downbearing everywhere). Add to it the cost of doing the
partial rebuild (strings, hammers, refinish - $6,500??? - was anything else
done?). Subtract some percentage because it has been some number of years
since the rebuild tasks were done (several years - as in maybe 5?, maybe
knock 30% off the $6,500 = $4,550). So, $5,000 + $4,550 = $9,550. Now adjust
this based on gut feeling, how the piano really rates in performance and
looks, and what you may know other similar pianos go for in the area. If it
really looks, sounds, and plays fabulous, you might go as much as double
that - only because some folks will pay that much.

One very critical question to answer, IMHO. Does the piano as it is, or with
whatever aspects of it the prospective owner is willing to improve, meet
his/her needs/expectations. That is, if the prospective owner will only
settle for absolute top performance, the piano is only worth the slavage
value, because it likely needs to be completely rebuilt.

My 3¢ worth.

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dick Beaton" <rbeaton@initco.net>
To: "PianoTech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2000 5:14 PM
Subject: Inquiry


> Just tuned a Steinway L #225270 (1924)  The owner is thinking of selling
it
> and wants to know how much to ask.
> Piano was partially rebuilt in FL several years ago.  This piano at one
time
> had a player action in it, so it is about a foot longer than normal.
> It has new strings and tuning pins. Also hammers are new and could see
quite
> a bit of new felt. She says the plate was refinished.  The soundboard is
> original and has a long crack next to bridge.  Piano works well and sounds
> good.  It was also professionally refinished in dark wood color.
>  I'm quite sure the pin block is original and the tuning pins are new.
They
> were not drivin down far enough. About 1/4 inch showing below the coils.
The
> coils look nice.
> Any advice of sugestions?
> Dick MT
>
>
>
>