appraisal question another thonk?

[Farrell]

> Should I just say it's got to have a new board and
> action, and be done with it?  For many people, they
> would be fairly satisfied with this instrument
> (although it's not up to its real potential) if those
> few notes weren't bad, however.

I don't buy and sell pianos enough to tell you what the piano might be 
worth - although I did sell a S&S teflon L in similar condition for $8K 
recently for a local church - but I think there is a difference between the 
value of the piano as a musical instrument and its value as a sales 
commodity.

>From what you describe, from the standpoint of a musical instrument, it 
sounds to me like it is salvage material - maybe $10K - $12K (assuming the 
S&S sticker is still on the fallboard) - maybe more if the finish is 
salvageable. However, from the standpoint of a commodity to sell and make 
money, if it looks decent, it may be "worth" quite a bit more.

Terry Farrell

----- Original Message -----
> A church that is selling 5 pianos has asked me to give
> them an appraisal for each one to determine selling
> prices.
>
> I've done quite a few appraisals over the years but
> one of these pianos, a  1978 Steinway B, has a strange
> sound that has me puzzled in terms of how the value of
> the instrument is affected. If you can help me, not
> necessarily with a $$ amount but with diagnosis, I'd
> appreciate it greatly.
>
> This B has a strange sound in the first 5 or 6 notes
> of the treble strings and bridge.  The tone is weak,
> reminds me of a really cheap sounding old baby grand,
> tone is unfocused, makes you think about poor
> termination somewhere;  I would perhaps describe it
> like  a recent post that mentioned a tenor "thonk".
>
> The  bridge glue joint in that area looks ok, bridge
> looks ok, there is some downbearing.  I swapped some
> hammers and it sounded a little better but the same
> basic sound characteristic remained.  I tried to
> overcome the weakness and noisy thud with voicing and
> hammer hardening, and I got louder but basic sound
> problem still persists.  Underneath "looks" alright
> ribs and board no glue joints separated.
>
> This B is a teflon era piano with hammers worn to the
> point of  needing replacement. The action "works" but
> has a high DW - 60 plus and UW corresponds. A few
> keytops have those dirty hairline cracks.
>
> The soundboard has a couple of cracks that are closed
> up now but this winter will most likely be more
> obvious.  Cracks are not under that area of the
> bridge.  The overall sound of the piano is not bad,
> just underpowered, somewhat unfocused - the worn
> hammers could contribute to that.
>
> Should I just say it's got to have a new board and
> action, and be done with it?  For many people, they
> would be fairly satisfied with this instrument
> (although it's not up to its real potential) if those
> few notes weren't bad, however.
>
>
> Not knowing what the cause of this strange sound is or
> how to set the price range for them.  It's in a
> building that is distant and someone has to meet me
> there each time I look at it, so I don't have easy
> access.
>
> Bob Hull
>
>
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