Dear List, I received a call from a lady who lives in San Francisco but is currently working in Vienna. She had just bought a Steinway M from a local store a few weeks earlier with the stipulation that a technician needed to OK the condition of the instrument. By the way she had another technician check it out before me but wanted a second opinion (I haven't heard what his report was yet). The deal with the dealer was that they only got M's 3 or 4 times a year and this was quite a instrument. She paid them $22,000 for the piano. I thought this was a bit high and wrote to that effect (We were conversing via E-mail). She was concerned that it might have teflon and that it might be a CBS Steinway. I wrote her that teflon is not the kiss of death and that I have a number of customers with beautiful Steinways with teflon. The piano was built in 1965 and according to Stephen Dove of Steinway that puts it before CBS. Anyhoo I went and inspected it yesterday. The piano looks good, ebony case in good shape. The bench has a number of scratches that they have touched up. Most of the keytops are cracked, one bass string has been replaced and about an octave in the treble has newer strings (poor workmanship with the replacements). Evidence of hard playing in my opinion. Action in poor regulation. Pulled action...hammers, shanks and flanges are new. Not Steinway parts. Good quality though. Wippens still have teflon but seem to be in good shape. Treble bridge has a small section with minor hairline cracks. Soundboard is perfect. What do you folks think? I wrote her that I wasn't very impressed and would have expected something much more for that kind of money. Such as a pristine instrument in original condition that had hardly been played. I would appreciate any advice in this situation as she wants to pull out of the deal and wants me to give something in writing for the dealer. Ach!!! I have litte or no connection with the dealer (although they did throw a new piano sale service my way a few weeks ago). I don't think they are going to be happy campers! David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA ilvey Pacifica, CA ilvey@a.crl.com
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