[pianotech] approx. retail price of 1929 Mason and Hamlin

[Mike Spalding]

Paul,

Here's a couple of figures that might help you to ballpark it.

Street price of a new A is usually around $35k.

Unless there is something really exceptional about the rebuild, a newly 
rebuilt piano will usually sell for less than a new one, so let's be 
generous and say it was worth $30k when newly rebuilt.

The piano in question was rebuilt 10 to15 years ago, Larry Fine suggests 
that a 10 to 15 year old new piano would have depreciated value of  51% 
to 60% of its new value.  If we apply this same depreciation schedule to 
the rebuilt piano, it's value would be $15k to $18k.

The granddaughter's expectations might be very realistic.  In the end, 
it depends on finding the right buyer.

Mike


Paul Mulik wrote:
> Hello all,
>  
> Can someone give me a ballpark figure on the retail price of a piano?  
> It's a 5'8" 1929 Mason and Hamlin.  It was rebuilt perhaps 10-15 years 
> ago, I do not know by whom, but they did a great job.  It has a new 
> pinblock (with new strings, naturally), new hammers (including shanks 
> and flanges), dampers and flanges, whippens, and keytops (not real 
> ivory).  The soundboard appears to be original, I don't know about the 
> bridges.  I think the cabinet is mahogany, but I'm not 100% sure.  The 
> whole thing is in beautiful condition, with no damage except light 
> scratches on the keyslip and fallboard, obviously caused by 
> fingernails, and a small crack in the treble area of the soundboard.
>  
> Anyway, it is in Joplin, MO and the owner has passed away and it is 
> being sold by her granddaughter.  She is hoping to get $15,000, but I 
> thought perhaps it could be worth coonsiderably more than that.  I 
> just don't have much experience with prices for pianos of this caliber.
>  
> Thanks,
> Paul Mulik