Purchasing an acoustic piano

Watch my video tutorial on buying a used piano.

Hi thanks yesterday I tried but I had network problems today I will watch it. Thanks

Hello, I have an update regarding the subject

after various vicissitudes involving 'scammer' private sellers and shopkeepers who 'have to' sell and peddle whatever they have, I found an

August Forster Lobau from around 1940, Haydn model, 150 cm, Renner action, cast iron plate, cross-stringing, ivory and ebony keys, and walnut case

I liked it, but I brought a technician who is also a conservatory professor and restorer to get his opinion.

He told me that there are some dampers to be fixed, a small fine-tuning to be done, and obviously the tuning because it is a tone low.

He also says that there aren't many similar instruments, that it's a bargain, and advises not to let it slip away. He says that modern instruments will never sound like these wooden ones

and that it's always a 'Forster'!

cost of the piano 1000 euros

cost of fine-tuning 350 euros

although the cost may seem tempting, I would like your advice

thanks!

It's all to be seen! The fact that it is a tone flat could depend on two things: neglect and lack of tuning for almost 10 years, or insufficient holding power of the tuning pins (which keep the strings under tension). In the first case, one proceeds to restore the 440 pitch with more than one tuning session, cautiously. Some strings might break. If they are steel, they must be replaced with the exact same diameter. If they are copper, they must be custom ordered. It is better if changed in pairs.

In the second case, the poor holding power of the pins is a significant problem: there is nothing to do but replace them and, consequently, the strings as well. A major job.

Then, besides small repairs, one must check the efficiency of the hammer rail and the mechanical pins.

The costs seem rather low to me... so everything needs to be verified.

Schimmel was mentioned, a great instrument.

Good luck with your research

P.S. The important thing is to have a competent technician who can truly advise and intervene in the best possible way.

The piano is a Forster, not a Schimmel, which I searched for but in vain.

The technician who gave me the evaluation is renowned in town; he told me that except for small things, the piano is in good condition and, according to him, little used.

He says that as soon as I bring it home, he will come and fix it in two consecutive mornings. The thing that encouraged me is that he told me:

<The piano sounds good but can sound even better>.

I will update you soon, in the meantime thank you very much

To start with, maybe it could work, but I would say to listen to and evaluate also what Paolo says. The repair costs are seriously too low in my opinion.

Anyway, evaluate carefully.