Steinway Model K

[joseph]

My friend is thinking of buying a 1927 Model K upright. The piano is in rosewood or something, and is totally original condition. Having played the piano I thought it was nice but it was a semitone flat which is confusing to the ear-finger-brain relationship, you know, and also makes it useless for chamber music.

The guy in the shop says that it can't be brought up to pitch or many of the strings would break, causing costly repairs. There isn't the money available just now to restring the piano, but we'd like to know if it will be useable. The dealer won't raise the pitch on it because he can't afford to risk having to restring it and sell it for more as a reconditioned piano.

The asking price is £3500 inc delivery and first tuning (not pitch raise tho). No mention of a guarantee, certainly not against raising the pitch anyway....

The tone is very even and the action feels nice. It has a full sound and there doesn't appear to be any cracks in the board etc...

Do we think this piano is worth it or should it be avoided?

[chrisvenables]

Hello Joseph. Definitely avoid the piano and the dealer. If there's no guarantee it can't be tuned to pitch it's useless.
Regards.

[Peter Smith Pianos]

Is the piano been sold by a specialist piano dealer or a general music shop?.Check strings,tuning pins and bridges if no rust a decent tuner should be able to raise pitch at quarterly intervals and a Steinway of that vintage if in good condition should not cause any problems.Get Gordon from Perth 01738 623788 to check it out for you.Agree with Chris comments if shop not offering warranty i would be sceptical,would also try to get the price down to allow for tuning and any action repair work.

[joseph]

Thanks for the advice. My thought on it is that the name on the fallboard is pushing the price up, not necessarily the instruments quality.

I'll pass the advice on and let him make his decision.