Steinway 1098 (used)

[bluemerle]

I am seriously looking at a S&S 1098.  It's a 20-year old piano.  Sounds beautiful.  Asking price is right above $4K.  This is what makes the piano imperfect:

1. Section of hammers (in the middle, I am a beginner, can't you tell?) were replaced, technician I spoke with is willing to do "fluff" the hammers out - thinks replacing all the hammers is too great of an expense with not enough benefit (~$2K)
2. Case is not in good condition, quite a few dings in the wood, beyond the point of "touching up", will need to do an entire case job at some point (~$3K).  Seller (and technician) attributes wear and tear to the piano being in a college practice room.

My question is, would you buy this piano?  I took piano as a young child and again as a teenager.  I am yearning to play again and want to resume lessons.  I don't live in a showcase house and am therefore not looking for a showcase piano, but rather one that has an amazing sound and will last for a long time (at least 10 years).  I am willing to fix the case at some point in time, just not now.  Thoughts . . .? 

[hrschlosser]

Some questions come to my mind:

1. Why need hammers to be replaced on a 20y. old piano?
2. Why were not all hammers replaced?
3. In which condition is the action, given that the hammers were badly worn out.

I think it is not a common repair to just replace a couple of hammers, especially not in a quality piano. This may indicate that the piano was used so heavily that the middle hammers needed replacement. I would assume that the action could be ready for a rebuild as well, given the high mileage the piano has.

Best regards,
Jens

[bluemerle]

Jens, thanks for your questions.  I need all the help I can get, so here goes:

1. Don't need to replace all the hammers at this time, I inquired about doing so because this middle section hammer replacement wasn't done "correctly" according to the technician; also, he is 70% certain that the replaced hammers are S&S; his thougts are to file the hammers and get them up to par, thinks I won't benefit from replacing all of them just to ensure a full set of S&S hammers

2. All hammers weren't replaced because the piano was in a practice room and was either a.) vandalized - hammers pulled out in the middle b.) got too much use in the practice room, school replaced the middle section only for cost purposes . . . does this sound fishy?

3. As far as I know, the technician says the action is in good condition. . . again, I don't know how else to test this out.  Part of the hammer "fluff" job he is willing to do includes fixing up some odds and ends inside the piano - this might have something to do with the action, I will find out the details.

Thanks for your help.

[hrschlosser]

bluemerle, what precisely makes this hammer replacement "not done correctly", according to your tech? Wheter the hammers in the mid-section are original S&S or not is not as important as is the question if the voicing of the piano can be made even. It makes sense for a school to repair only as necessary (replace only worn out hammers) to save cost.

I think a major question here will be: can you trust this technician and will the piano sound and perform to your liking.

Best regards,
Jens

[iumonito]

If I understand correctlym this is the samlles Steinway vertical,  a spinet, right?  Even if the piano was in good condition, I think you can buy a much better instrument with $4,000.  If you add a little more, you can get a good Chinese babygrand.  If you dont care for that, save money and buy a good digital.

Regarding the hammers, hammers sets are cut from a single piece of wool to ensure uniformity.  Replacing just a few sounds at the same level of craftmanship as tying up a knot to repair a broken string, or filling a crack in a  sound board with crazyglue. 

The only pianos I think receive worst abuse than college pianos are pianos in cruises.

I would stay away from this instrument.

(oh, and by the way, whether the hammers are Steinway or the cheapest made in China makes all the difference in the world.  Even voicing is also crucial, but to certain point one is the consequnce of the other, and even crappy sound is just marginally better than uneven crappy sound).

[pianopitchman]

iumonito,
The piano is not a spinet, but a 45" console (looks like a short version of the S&S K52).

I think that if you really enjoy the tone of the piano, it is not an unfair price.  A new 1098 would cost 4 or 5 times that.

[iumonito]

$16k - $20k buys you a 7 foot grand.  I disagree with your opinion that this is a good price.

[pianopitchman]

You can certainly get a 7 foot grand for that price.  However, in comparing apples to apples, you can only get a 45" Steinway upright (new) for that price.  For a 7 foot Steinway, you're in the $65-$70K ballpark.

[bluemerle]

Thanks to all for your help!  I bought the piano this morning and have been playing it all day!  I love it!  Unfortunately I don't know how much longer I can stand to have the case in its current condition . . .   

I'll let you all know when I end up getting it refinished, I hear the process can take up to 4 months!

[pianopitchman]

bluemerle,
Congratulations.  It sounds like you got a terrific little piano.  Enjoy.