pre-owned Steinway S

[pianojosh]

Hi all!
Thanks in advance for reading.
I'm having to downsize to a smaller apartment, and so letting go of my current grand. I'm looking at something around 5"1, which I know limits my options in terms of sound quality. I did find a preowned Steinway S from the 1960s that plays nicely and has a lovely sound. It hasn't been rebuilt, has original soundboard, hammers, and pinblock. Is it a red flag that it hasn't been rebuilt at this point? Will it need to be? Are there any questions I should be asking?

Thanks for helping me out!
 

[lelle]

I'm not aware that all old instruments need to be rebuilt. As long as the instrument has been taken care of well, it'll be useable, even if not as pristine as a new instrument. If it sounds good and plays good, why not?

What's your source on there being an issue if a 50 year old instrument has not been rebuilt?

[jbgods]

I would recommend holding on to a piano if you can.  It could become an asset one day.

[pianoguru]

a 1960s Steinway S may be in good enough usable condition.  However, it will not be equal to a properly rebuilt Steinway or a new one!  It all depends on the performance you are looking for and the cost.  At my store https://www.worldwidepianostores.com , We sell both used good condition Steinways and complete factory rebuilt Steinways.  One thing I would definitely avoid in a steinway is a "shop" or "garage restored" steinway.  Steinway will tell you it is a Steinwas. While clever marketing, it really has little to do with the exact parts replaced and more to do with the skill and machinery used in rebuilding the piano.  A quality rebuild using Steinway or similar quality parts and rebuilt in a factory (where the proper machinery is available to do the work) is the best way to go.  Having Steinway rebuild themselves in a shop in the midwest is the most expensive.   In any case, if you like the Steinway S and it plays well to your liking, I would say keep the piano and enjoy.  You can always have the piano rebuilt in the future, if you find the need to do so.

[pianos-galore]

A Steinway S from the 1960s can be a great find, especially if it still has a lovely sound and plays well. However, given its age and the fact that it hasn’t been rebuilt, there are definitely some considerations:

Original Soundboard, Hammers, and Pinblock:

The soundboard is a key element of a piano’s tone, but if it's over 60 years old, it may have some wear or hairline cracks. Even if it hasn't been rebuilt, as long as it still vibrates well and holds its shape, it might not need replacement. However, inspect it closely for signs of warping, cracks, or loss of resonance.
The hammers wear down over time, impacting tone. If they haven't been replaced, they're likely worn and could affect the piano's brightness or clarity.

The pinblock is crucial for tuning stability. If it’s original, ask how well the piano holds its tuning. A worn pinblock can make it difficult to keep the piano in tune, and replacing it requires a rebuild.
Potential Rebuild:

It’s not necessarily a red flag that it hasn’t been rebuilt, but you should expect that at some point, a rebuild or significant maintenance could be necessary. Many Steinway pianos are rebuilt after 30–50 years. If the piano has been well-maintained, it could still have life in it, but a rebuild might be needed in the next decade or so.

Questions to Ask:

When was it last tuned or serviced?
How has it been maintained (climate control, regular tunings, etc.)?
Does it hold its tuning well, especially after being moved?
Has it been evaluated by a technician recently? If not, it’s worth having one inspect it before purchase, especially to assess the soundboard, pinblock, and action.

If you're planning on keeping the piano long-term, it might be worth negotiating the price down to account for the possibility of future work. Otherwise, you might get years of enjoyment before needing a rebuild, but having a technician inspect it will give you peace of mind.
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