How much is a 30-year-old Yamaha Grand Piano worth? Experts?!


Question:

How much is a 30-year-old Yamaha Grand Piano worth? Experts?

I am considering to buy a Yamaha Grand Piano, here are the claimed details from the retailer:

Age: Around 30 Years
Type: C2 (173 CM/5'8'')
Condition: Display item mainly -- has not been played much
It has been Re-painted
There are minor scratches on the keyboard/piano
Also a few spots showing little white
None of the strings/hammers have been replaced
Price: Around 5500 USD

All the details are claimed by the sellers and I have no idea if they are true or not. I tried playing the piano then I found it to be loud just as a upright piano (you know Yamaha), but then they told me its out of tune and hasnt been fixed in a long time.

Should I buy it? Experts please help -- any details on prices of similar piano would be of great reference/comparison. Thanks.


Answers:

Have an independant piano tuner/technician acompany you and assess the piano on your next visit. It will cost you something, but is well worth it.

Ask the seller to tune and voice the instrument. You cannot really tell how a piano feels and sounds until it is operating properly. I usually don't like to hear that it hasn't been tuned in "a long time". This is a sign of poor care.

A Yamaha of that age is getting near the point where, under normal use, you might consider new strings or new hammers/action part -- or both. Since they claim it has not been played much, perhaps it will not need that for a long time. This is why you need a technician to help you with these things. Restringing can cost $4000, and new hammers another $2000

It might be better to look at a younger piano and pay a little more for it.

Price-wise, if it's in good condition, that's an attractive price. I would expect to see that size Yamaha (in good condition, mind you) selling for closer to $8000.

Remember, hire an independant technician. Kinda like having a mechanic look at a used car, ya know?

To VicSEO below: The concept of Yamaha making pianos differently for U.S. climate conditions is nonsense. Which U.S. climate conditions? The New Orleans climate or the Phoenix climate?? This is a myth perpetrated by Yamaha's U.S. division to protect their dealers from the competition of literally thousands of used Yamaha's in the market place. That story is absolute pony loaf.


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