Questions on Dealer and a 20 years old piano

[lowhm]

Hi all,

I would be most grateful if anyone can give me some advice.

I went around looking for an used piano today and met a used piano dealer.

The only one that satisfy my price range is a 20 years old Kawai NS 25, a 50" upright.

The dealer give a 1 year exchange warranty and a 40% depreciation buy back after 2 years.

My doubts are
1) what is the general warranty that is given by an used piano dealer
2) how long will a 20 yearls piano that looks well maintained last
3) what are the fine details to look for proof of a well maintain piano

Sorry to say that I cannot play a piano, but if you mentioned some general musical instrument terms, I would probably still can relate.
Oh......  of course, I am also reading the Larry Fine really fine book 
But I would be most glad to hear any opinion on these areas.

Thanks a million in advance.

Cheers.



Han Ming

[bench warmer]

If you are reading Fine's book then you know you can't really assess a piano from how it looks. At least get someone (maybe even a pianotech) who knows about piano actions, pinblocks, hammer wear, etc to get a better evaluation.

And of course, get any guarantees/promises in Writing (and make sure there's a good probability the guy will be in business in 2 yrs. to honor them).

Good luck

[leucippus]

3) what are the fine details to look for proof of a well maintain piano

You can check out the action just by playing it.  If it's smooth and consistent looking at it isn't going to really tell you much more.

If it were me, I'd look at the hammers where they strike the strings.  How deep are the string impressions on the tip of the hammers?  That's something that really can't be maintained very easily.  If the string impressions are really deep the piano is near the end of it's life (save for having the hammers reshaped or replaced which is quite costly).  If they are only moderate then either the piano wasn't played much, or it had been maintained fairly recently.

But I agree with previous poster that having a piano tech look it over is the best bet.

I have several pianos that I got for free.  One is a spinet which has almost no groves in the hammer felt at all.  However, the felt is coming ungluded from all the hammers.  The piano was obviously stored in a bad environment.  It's not a big deal for me. I'm just regluing them all.  But that not something that most people can do.  It would be extremely costly to have a piano tech do this.  In fact, some techs would refuse to reglue them and want to just replace them outright $$$! 

[lowhm]

Hi,

Thanks for such quick and informative response!!!!

Hmm....  I'm still reading the "getting a new piano" chapter of the Larry Fine book, think I need to catch up more as I do see details of checking out the piano on the "Used Piano" chapter. 

I did try a couple of bars on the piano and with a few other pianos there too,  and I do like the warmth of the piano compare to the others on display, which at least led me to think if it is worth the money afterall.

Is it common that a 20 years old piano to be still very much alive and kicking after all these years whether active or non active playing?

I know that I'm  asking questions that the book seems to have answered but I just can't help listening to another person opinion.
At least, I learn a new thing from your reply !!!!

I would be most glad if anyone can share her experience in getting a 20 years old piano.


Thanks again for all your kind response.

Cheers.



Han Ming

[kaiwin]

Personally I think Kawaiis have heavy keys. But not all, I may be wrong. As long as your satisfied with the piano then its fine.

GL!