<HTML>In a message dated 1/6/03 3:31:20 PM Central Standard Time, avery@ev1.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">I have to disagree here. There's one H*** of a lot of difference between a Whitney and a Steinway L!!!! >By the same token, if someone wants to buy a Steinway L for only $2,000, >because that is all they can afford, is it a good buy, and are they >getting a bargain? (assuming the reason it is only $2000 is because >everything is shot, and the piano needs $20,000 worth of work). Of course >not. They would be better off buying a good used console. Not even! That L is worth all the work needed. The Whitney isn't! End of MY rant! :-) </BLOCKQUOTE> I agree the Steinway is a much better instrument, and it will be worth it to rebuild.  But if someone had only $2000 to spend on a playable instrument, would you recommend that they buy a Steinway L for $2000 that is unplayable, or a $2000 console that does play? Remember, they don't have ANY more money to spend on a piano. By the same token,  would you recommend they spend $500 on a Baldwin Studio that is unplayable, or $500 on a Whitney that does play. Again, remembering that they don't have ANY more money to spend on a piano. Wim </HTML>