How much is a 30-year-old Yamaha Grand Piano worth? Experts?

Question

I am considering to buy a Yamaha Grand Piano, here are the claimed details from the retailer:

Age: Around 30 Years
Type: C2 (173 CM/5'8'')
Condition: Display item mainly -- has not been played much
It has been Re-painted
There are minor scratches on the keyboard/piano
Also a few spots showing little white
None of the strings/hammers have been replaced
Price: Around 5500 USD

All the details are claimed by the sellers and I have no idea if they are true or not. I tried playing the piano then I found it to be loud just as a upright piano (you know Yamaha), but then they told me its out of tune and hasnt been fixed in a long time.

Should I buy it? Experts please help -- any details on prices of similar piano would be of great reference/comparison. Thanks.

Answer 1

Have an independant piano tuner/technician acompany you and assess the piano on your next visit. It will cost you something, but is well worth it.

Ask the seller to tune and voice the instrument. You cannot really tell how a piano feels and sounds until it is operating properly. I usually don't like to hear that it hasn't been tuned in "a long time". This is a sign of poor care.

A Yamaha of that age is getting near the point where, under normal use, you might consider new strings or new hammers/action part -- or both. Since they claim it has not been played much, perhaps it will not need that for a long time. This is why you need a technician to help you with these things. Restringing can cost $4000, and new hammers another $2000

It might be better to look at a younger piano and pay a little more for it.

Price-wise, if it's in good condition, that's an attractive price. I would expect to see that size Yamaha (in good condition, mind you) selling for closer to $8000.

Remember, hire an independant technician. Kinda like having a mechanic look at a used car, ya know?

To VicSEO below: The concept of Yamaha making pianos differently for U.S. climate conditions is nonsense. Which U.S. climate conditions? The New Orleans climate or the Phoenix climate?? This is a myth perpetrated by Yamaha's U.S. division to protect their dealers from the competition of literally thousands of used Yamaha's in the market place. That story is absolute pony loaf.

Answer 2

I am in agreement with other forum members to have this piano inspected by a qualified piano technician, preferably one who is a Guild member.

Nevertheless, there is another important issue that you may not be aware of and that's whether or not this is a "gray market" Yamaha C2 which is considered not acclimated to U.S. weather conditions. Any number of these Series C "gray market" Yamaha grands were sold some 30 years ago and no amount of tuning will correct the damage to dried out soundboards which were not treated properly to U.S. climatic conditions since the gray marketed grands were not intended to leave the Asian marketplace. So, get the serial number of the piano from the seller and run it through Yamaha's website to check, if in fact, this C2 is an authorized U.S. exportable grand. Notify the seller of your awareness of this "gray market" concept and watch the seller's reaction. If the seller's reaction is negative to giving you the serial number; walk away from this deal. "Gray market" Yamaha grands are considered worthless since their soundboards cannot sustain long holding chords.

As an alternative piano selection, check out the G-series Yamaha grands which may be posted on craigslist.com. As far as I know, the G-series were not "gray marketed" to the U.S. and for $5,000, you probably could get a reasonably good condition used G2.

Good luck!

Answer 3

NO, even though it's generally a good idea to bring a technician with you (and the money you pay the technician is always worth it) this piano doesn't sound like it's even worth the bother. If a piano had been well cared for, it really shouldn't have scratches on the keyboard or needed paint job. If they asked for $5500, most likely it's not even worth $2500. Rule of thumb: don't get a used piano from a retailer, find a reputable technician to give you suggestion or referral or look for private owners who have to sell their pianos.

Answer 4

Old Yamaha

Answer 5

Because whiskey does not age after it's removal from the Oak barrels, it is only increased in value by the packaging or the glasses in the set. Some gift sets have not become very collectible. A large library or book store would be the best source of a price guide. Perhaps the "Canadian Club" site has a guide? Good luck

Answer 6

It's possible yes

Answer 7

The same question pops up again