Bechstein Value

[mikebechstein]

I have just had my piano valued and I’m not sure what you people might think about it.

Background – I inherited a Bechstein Model 9, circa 1911 (considered, I have read, by many to be one of the best uprights ever made and certainly one of the best of that golden era). It was totally original but had only ever been tuned. So, I found out who was the best guy in my area to overhaul pianos. (He has since been appointed the only Steinway dealership in my part of the country based on the same reputation. So it seems I was well informed.) He completely overhauled the action, new leather and felt etc. New Renner hammers and made to order strings. The case work (which is lovely rosewood and not too ornate) went to an excellent cabinet maker to be re-stained (it was bleached from years of light) and re-finished.

When I got it back, nearly three months later I couldn’t be happier. The action (although a little heavy) was very responsive and the sound with the new hammers was out of this world. Such a warm sound that only a well aged piano can produce. After it had settled over the next few years, I got it regulated and voiced by the man who has the contract for maintaining the pianos at the Sage Gateshead and for the Northern Sinfonia. He is one of the most (possibly the most) respected technician in my area. The combination of his maintenance over the last year or so and the excellent overhaul made me wonder about value for insurance etc. I always go into piano shops when I travel (all over the world with work) and have tried many makes including (mainly new) Steinways, Bechsteins, Bosendorfers, Bluthners, Yamahas and Kawai (to name a few). So when I got a valuation from the guy who overhauled it I was expecting around the same as, or maybe slightly less than, a brand new Boston 132 or a Yamaha U3 (due to mine having more attractive casework and better sound but an older action and obviously a shorter overall expected lifespan.) That would have made it around £6500. The valuation I got was £2000.

Does that sound right to any of you? Are second hand prices in the UK that low or should I get it valued by somebody else?

[nyonyo]

I always have the following question for a rebuilt or overhauled piano, how could we still regard your piano is still a Bechstein or other famous pianos while everything are new except the body of the piano?

[mikebechstein]

The heart of the piano’s sound is its soundboard. The strings, the hammers and the way it is played affect the sound but all can be altered. The soundboard, frame and body make up the bulk of the instrument and (usually) none are changed. If these are good to begin with then, with maintenance, the good instrument can remain a good instrument or even improve. As to whether it is still a Bechstein I would say that:

a. it sounds like a Bechstein
b. it looks like a Bechstein
c. is a Stradivarius no longer a Stradivarius if the strings are not original or if a new bow is used?
d. or, is a Rolls Royce no longer a Rolls Royce if you change the oil filter yourself?

It's an interesting point though.

That aside, what about the value?

[nyonyo]

The problem is that Becstein is still around, therefore, why buy a used century old Becstein that was rebuilt while we can just a brand new Becstein that if something is broken the piano is still under warranty. Therefore, £2000 is about right.

I personally will not buy a century old piano just for the sake of having a Becstein or Steinway unless the price is low. From my experience of trying old rebuilt Steinways, virtually they are not in good condition. However, I ,one time, tried a rebuilt old Becstein with Yamaha keys, they are lovely, but I still will not buy if the price is too high. By the way, I do not really like the action of Becstein (kind of stiff).

 If people appraise yours at low price, you won't be happy. Therefore, just enjoy your piano, who cares what other people say about the value of your piano. Since you are happy with your Becstein, it is priceless!

[richard black]

Old upright pianos don't command much price however good they are, simple as that. Plenty of dealers would try to do you for more than 2 grand, of course, if they had the piano in the showroom; but selling privately that's probably all you'll get except, possibly, from another dedicated Bechstein lover (no, not me, I just got my Model V grand!) who knows what's what. But then if you're not planning to sell it why would you care?

[mikebechstein]

Cheers for your input.

No I am not going to sell it, it just suprised me how cheeply you can get an excellent upright if you are willing to buy older. I wasn't expecting so much of a difference between old and new.

Mike