Kawai Piano Store of second-hand pianos modify hands privately each year. Only a mall number are in good playing situation. We know for buying second-hand pianos and preparing them for resale is an essential aspect of our company. Of the several pianos offered to us we actually obtain fewer than one in ten of them – and virtually each and every one desires operate on it to a higher or lesser extent
When hunting for a piano it is significant to recall two issues.
Pianos are not all of the very same top quality.
Prior to 1914, in the boom years of piano sales, huge numbers had been created in tiny workshops to satisfy the demand for low-priced pianos. They had been of poor good quality when new and hundreds are nonetheless about, a number of generations later, in dreadful condition.
There had been some fantastic pianos made in the 1920’s and 1930’s. They are now 60,70,80, years old – practically old age in the lifespan of a piano. If they have been well maintained during their life they can nonetheless be superior instruments, but if they have been neglected or abused they will be tired, second rate pianos.
Some will be “the family heirloom” passed down through quite a few generations, a great deal loved but generally unplayed and neglected. Such pianos may have sentimental value to their owners but their correct worth, as a playing piano, might be nil.
Pianos do not final forever
A piano is made up of about 5000 components a lot of of which move. While enormously strong and heavy it is really difficult and sensitive to damp, dryness, changes in temperature, wear and tear and neglect.
A fantastic piano, effectively maintained, has a lot the identical helpful lifespan as a human – handful of are in really good shape immediately after 80 years! Bear in mind that the piano you purchase will in all probability be the only one particular you ever buy so look for the youngest and greatest high quality instrument you can obtain.
So What Should really I Appear For In A Second-hand Piano?
Quite few men and women have any technical know-how about pianos. The list under will give you an notion of some of the challenges generally located in second-hand pianos.
Sticking keys or hammers
This is normally the result of being in a damp atmosphere. The felt absorbs moisture, swells and movement is restricted. If only a single or two notes are sticking it may be doable to ease them. If lots are sticking the action (i.e. the moving components inside the piano) likely requirements to be dismantled and rebuilt. Costly!
Noisy keys or noise from the action
A sign of put on. A tuner could be in a position to make adjustments to lessen the unwanted noises but if it is badly worn a rebuild will be necessary.
Tough Tone
Almost certainly the result of worn and compressed hammer felts. If they are not also badly worn they may perhaps be in a position to be reshaped. Seriously heavily worn hammers cannot be treated in this way and new hammerheads want to be fitted.
Dull, dead tone
This may be partially due to worn hammers but is far more probably to indicate that the piano strings have lost their original suppleness and will need replacing. This is a important undertaking and only high high-quality pianos can justify the expense.
The dull tone may well also be the result of splits having developed in the wooden soundboard. These can be repaired but, again, it is only worth carrying out this to definitely great pianos.
Out of tune
Every single piano goes out of tune as the tension in the strings modifications slightly. If the complete piano is out of tune it is in all probability mainly because it has not been tuned for some time. Depending upon how far it has fallen under pitch one or additional tunings ought to put this proper.
If, However, only one particular section of a few notes is truly very badly out of tune and is clearly very considerably worse than the rest of the piano, this signals genuinely complications. IT si probably that the tuning plank has lost its capability to hold the tuning pins tightly sufficient to hold tension on the strings. It is common on pianos created prior to the 1960’s. They were not constructed to withstand the dry atmospheres designed by contemporary central heating systems. The timber loses moisture and shrinks, the pins go slack and the piano is beyond economical repair and useless for playing purposes. Keep away from at all costs.
Woodworm
Far more typical in older pianos. They attack the timber – look for compact holes and tiny heaps of wood dust. To check, the piano wants to be dismantled as far as practicable and closely examined with a torch. Appear behind it and beneath the keyboard. Keep away from something that has or has had woodworm.
Moths and mice
Damage the felt hammers, dampers and essential washers. Minor damage is not crucial but substantial harm is costly to place appropriate.