around 15 thousand euros (16 for the yamaha), which is better?
The steinway is from a private individual, very far from me, in fact I still have to try it (I opened the topic to see if someone tells me beforehand that perhaps the yamaha is worth more), year 75, says single owner etc.
The yamaha is from my trusted shop, sold with warranty, serial number 58XXXXXX.
My doubts are, it's true that the steinway is superior in itself, however the fact that it is so short leaves me doubtful, plus the age of the pf also matters a lot (the yamaha will be about ten years old against 40 for the Steinway).
I don't know, in your opinion in terms of sound, of bass, of sheer sonic beauty, will a steinway micro-grand like the S sound better than a modern yamaha c5?
Play them both and maybe bring someone to play them while you listen from a distance... learn how to perform acoustic and dynamic tests! 40 years is not much, trust me! If a piano of this level has been neglected, the problems are often mechanical rather than sonic!
I would say that a Steinway should always be seen, even if the small S can be limited. The C5 is an excellent instrument and also offers longer key leverage. It depends on the maintenance status of the two. The C5 needs to be heard tuned and voiced. The Steinway too... but from a 155 one must expect a rather limited performance. Check carefully what interventions have been made on the Yamaha... like hammer shaving!!! and how these interventions were carried out. The shape of the hammers is important that it has been preserved.. even after shaving. Also check the condition of the soundboard and strings as well as the stability of the pedals. Even the tests suggested by Andry are fundamental.
