i found a very good (perhaps too good?) offer for a BACHMANN 114 upright piano on the "mercatino musicale" website.
The seller has made available a photo of the purchase certificate which proves that the piano dates back to 1987, and he is selling it due to non-use. So far, so good. He tells me that it only needs tuning and that it is possible to go and try it out without obligation.
Being totally inexperienced and wanting to buy it specifically to start taking piano lessons (I have only taken 2, I am really at the very beginning), I have 2 questions: 1) if it needs to be tuned, how can I try it and verify that everything is okay? 2) Does the derisory price (350 euros) stem from the fact that the piano is very old and he has been trying to sell it for years and therefore had to lower the price, or is there something wrong with it?? Thank you for any advice you can give me!
The wisest thing to do would be to go and evaluate the piano with an expert technician, so as to verify that the instrument has no damage. Perhaps behind what seems like a simple tuning to the owner lie serious mechanical problems that could drive the price up from €350 to €3500, which would not be a very attractive choice given the age of the instrument and the intended use. Of course, I do not feel comfortable blaming the owner since I do not know the instrument and, above all, he might be inexperienced.
Another thing to evaluate with an antique instrument is the serial number in order to verify the actual age of the instrument, but I think a technician can handle that.
In any case, let's wait for advice from someone more experienced than me
The owner provided me with the purchase certificate, which also includes the serial number. Yes, perhaps it is better to go with someone experienced. The only problem is that the piano is not in my city (Varese) but in Milan, so I don't know if a technician from here would make this "small" trip and, above all, at what price! Does anyone know if it is a good brand? At this price, I am tempted to grab it immediately! And even if it only lasts me 5-10 years, in the end, it would be like getting an electronic keyboard!
My fear is the transport; I hope to hire the right people, otherwise it will arrive home in 1000 pieces, hehe
I also found an ad for a Pearl River that is only 16 years old.. so much more recent. For 400 euros. The owner told me straight out that the price depends on the fact that he needs space immediately and therefore is trying to get rid of it.
Pianos must be examined. All stories can be true or not. If anything, I would prefer the Pearl River, which also seems to me to be a larger size. Many things need to be verified and especially if there are no problems and/or irreversible damage. A Technician is needed
F
FTozzi
Member
Reply 6 by FTozzi
Posts
7
He will certainly spend more on transport than on the piano 😃 Anyway, jokes aside, it is fundamental to rely on serious companies for piano transport. Always. Never rely on companies that do simple standard transports even if they involve heavy loads. Piano transport is a veeeery delicate matter, and must be entrusted to expert hands.
