Further details on Steinway

[Stan Kroeker]

Today I examined the Steinway 'B', serial no. 367398 that I mentioned in my
previous post.  This was Oscar Peterson's piano prior to receiving his
'gift' of an Imperial grand from Bösendorfer years ago.  Here are some of
the details of its condition:

Tuning pins - average 20 inch pounds torque

Pitch - A440 (hasn't been tuned in 2 years - go figure)

Soundboard - 4 fairly narrow cracks, no compression ridges (indoor RH has
been averaging low 40's for the past few weeks here), no climate control
system.  Crown along longest rib approximately 3/16"

Bridges - no visible deterioration (no cracks), downbearing detectable at
all points along both bridges.

Action centers - cloth bushed, swing test on sample hammers/shanks within
tolerance.

Knuckles - somewhat flattened, reminiscent of heavy play over years.

Hammers - surprisingly light string cuts given the condition of the knuckles.

Key Bushings - worn, keys quite wobbly.

Regulation - acceptable but room for improvement.

Subjective assessment of tone overall - satisfyingly even and bright but
with a warmth reminscent of its german cousins.

This piano is a bit of an enigma.  Pitch and tuning very close given
elapsed time since most recent tuning but tuning pins unacceptably loose.
Soundboard cracks don't appear to have influenced the sustain and tone of
the instrument negatively.

I now need a jumping-off point to extrapolate a realistic value for this
piano.  Last night I visited a few web sites of dealers advertising mostly
used Steinway pianos.  I see what older restored (whatever that means)
instruments are being sold for, and I would presume these values are at the
lower end of the Steinway spectrum.  If some of you would be so kind as to
suggest what B's sell for, in your corner of the world, it would help me to
find the pricing niche for my client's piano.

Thanks for all your help.

Best regards,

Stan Kroeker
Registered Piano Technician

Kroeker & Sons Piano Experts
59 Quiring
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Canada R2G 1Y5

Ph. 204-669-5881