Another conundrum

[cazmal]

Now I'm playing at level 5, I am looking to replace my Broadwood baby grand.
I have narrowed down my search so far to a secondhand Steinway model M of approx 1980 vintage (previously owned by a concert pianist for practice at home)

or

a new Schimmel Konzert grand 189T

both for similar money

What would you do?

[Barrie Heaton]

Put it this way would you buy a secondhand car from a taxi driver The S$S may have been played to death so I would get it looked over first with a view that you may have to spend money on it later

Barrie,

[PianoGuy]

German S&S or a Yank?

[cazmal]

German S&S or a Yank?

Was under the impression that Schimmels were made in Germany - am I wrong?

[PianoGuy]

Schimmel are made in Germany, but Steinway & Sons are made either in Hamburg or New York.

[cazmal]

Schimmel are made in Germany, but Steinway & Sons are made either in Hamburg or New York.

Ok - on your wave length now.
It is a 1980's Model M from Steinway & Sons New York

[PianoGuy]

Are you sure?

They all say New York on the frame, but it's not necessarily where they're from. A German one has curvier cheeks (the bits of the side at the enbd of the keyboard) than the NY one which is kind of angular.

Hamburg

New York

Spot the subtle difference? The Hamburg one looks a bit more classic, the NY one a bit more pert!

Anyhow, a s/h NY one is not as valuable as a s/h Hamburg one., and certainly not the same investment potential. Largely a snob thing, but there were some patchy NY ones which let the side down.

[cazmal]

Thanks piano guy for your reply. The piano in question is definately a NY model as the provenence is known, and it has angular cheeks.

I must admit, I would prefer a Hamburg model.