Kohler & Campbell

[tomas1808]

Hi!

I just found an old Kohler & Campbell being sold for $530. I think it was made around 1925 - 1933 according to the serial number. The seller says that it was brought up to date by a specialist about 6 months ago. Dampeners were changed, hammers repaired, new set of strings, etc.  

Serial Number is #248851

I have heard that the new K&C pianos are crap (made by Samick), but what about these older pianos? Is this piano worth the $530?

Thanks!

[keys60]

Kohler and Campblell was a good NY piano. I know some would disagree with me because of the age of that piano, but if it was reconditioned to the point of enjoyable playing, everything works, holds a tune, reasonably smooth action, 530.00 doesn't seem too bad of a price and I would take it. Had it been original, I'd have probably walked.

[lhorwinkle]

That's a BIG if. Why would someone spend a small fortune to re-string the piano, only to sell it months later for $530?  This sounds fishy.

If you don't know pianos inside and out, they your own personal opinion about the condition means nothing. There's only one way to know: Have a tech inspect it.

[jimbo320]

If all the referb work is true and the sound board is okay I'd go for it. Kohler and Cambell's were good back then.

[tomas1808]

Well, the seller said that he just bought a grand piano and he needs the space. I think he is legit because he actually offered me to share the same piano carrier, so the same day he receives the grand he can send me the K&C, I will be there at the time of the moving obviously.

But above all I got a good vibe from him.

Thanks everyone!

[keys60]

Best thing to do is ask the seller if you can sit with it for a while and play it. If nothing quirky is going on, all the hammers release and rebound, every note works, nothings getting stuck and you are enjoying playing it for maybe an hour, it may be worth it. If it hasn't been tuned very recently and still sounds good, its probably holding a tune. Sure, glued flanges come apart and you may need the occasional quick repair here and there, and at that age you probably will, so what. Minor repairs are not that expensive. Annoying at times, but the piano wasnt a fortune to begin with.
Of course, if your experiencing trouble right from the start, walk away.

I bought a 50 year old Baldwin spinet that was all original for quite a bit more than that K and C and enjoyed the heck out of it. Occasionally a hammer would block or a glue joint would come apart, but it played great and had a nice fast, light action. After a while the kinks were worked out. I restrung it and regulated it(while apprenticing with a tech, or else it wouldn't have been financially feasable) and although small, pretty and cheap, its still a joy to play.
I have another piano so I use it to play duets with my daughter.

So don't rush, try to see what you're getting and then decide.

Good luck.

[tomas1808]

Thanks everyone!