Factors to Consider While Buying Restored Piano
A few important things you need to know
before buying a restored Steinway.
In comparing prices from different Steinway
dealers of NEW instruments, you are pretty much assured you are comparing apples
to apples. However, even here, some dealers will go to greater lengths than
others to thoroughly prep, or tweak, a new Steinway to bring an individual
piano to its full potential. The Steinway Company expects this from their
dealers as part of their dealer agreement but, sadly, many do nothing more than
tune the instrument on the sales floor. It's interesting to note that more than
50% of ALL Steinways are sold to non-players.
Most are sold to buyers who merely want the
finest in their living rooms, and who also have an appreciation for the
financial investment of a Used
Piano. Many of these buyers will have an automatic player system
installed on their piano to give them musical pleasure of the instrument as
well.
Now, let's talk about buying a Restored
Piano from someone like me. Prices for these older restored vintage
Steinways will vary somewhat, but the difference in quality can range
enormously. The three essential points to consider are:
1) were GENUINE STEINWAY REPLACEMENT PARTS
used? As the Steinway Company says, "If Genuine Steinway Parts have not
been used, it's no longer a thoroughbred Steinway",
2) what was the EXTENT of the restoration?
and lastly,
3) was the WORKMANSHIP of high standards?
To start with, it is important to know that
the Steinway factory employs hundreds of people, each of whom has been trained
to do one of many specific jobs. For example, one of the lowest paid workers
would do nothing more than sweep the floors of wood shavings, while the highest
paid are those who do action regulation, voicing of the hammers and tuning. It
is these men and women who are bringing the touch, or feel, and the tone into
the instrument.
The restoration of a Steinway involves most
of the same steps involved in the making of a new Steinway. Having said that,
some restorers are a one-manned band, meaning that one or two people are doing
the entire process themselves. While it's possible they might do as good a job
as a restoration factory, it's not likely. Each step of the process requires a
unique talent, and if that knack isn't exercised with great regularity, a less
than perfect job will be performed.
Other than looking for a used piano, if you
are also looking for good Music
Lessons, then check https://renaissancemusic.co.uk/
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