<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1276" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV>Terry,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I was hoping someone would have piped up by now - I'm in a similar situation.  I'm acquiring a 5'2" Knabe at a very reasonable price, former Ampico player, mechanism removed.   Very tired, needs complete re-*********.   I'm told by local techs (Milwaukee) that with complete restoration and refinish it could bring $12,000.  </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Mike</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com href="mailto:mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com">Farrell</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 1/7/2004 12:40:36 PM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Knabe Value - Help Please!</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have the opportunity to pick up a Knabe grand at a very (very, very) reasonable price. I have my own thoughts, but I would sure appreciate any opinions on its resale value (if I were to try and sell it from my home). Description is below (I would clean it, tune it, and regulate the action). I'm in Florida and prices are pretty close to those in the Midwest.</FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2> Thanks.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Terry Farrell</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Knabe (Aeolian) baby grand </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>5' 2"</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1961 </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Piano is owned by original purchaser (very old woman who recently passes away)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Everything on this piano is original</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Piano was used very little - very little wear on hammers, etc.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Walnut exterior (natural finish) in very good condition (actually perfect except parts of case the finish is starting to get crackly - from five feet away, you can't see the defects)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Piano has French Provincial legs & matching bench - very attractive piano</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Strings have light rust and plate is nice looking, but kinda dirty around tuning pins, etc.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>No cracks in soundboard or bridges</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>No or minimal false beats (none in the dozen or two tested)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>No killer octave section (I've observed this on a number of Aeolian grands.... that's another story)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Amazingly well balanced tone across entire keyboard</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Bass strings are in good condition (not tubby)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sound like a very nice studio-sized piano (I suppose because it is studio-sized - but not all make the cut!)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Action looks like new and plays quite well (I would need to regulate it)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I have little doubt this woman bought this piano 42 years ago, had it tuned a few times, never had it regulated, and played it only very lightly - it is much like new, the only deterioration coming from sitting in her living room for 42 years.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>