Piano Alexander Hermann

mrkennethalan · Post by **mrkennethalan** » 24 Feb 2006, 23:03

I'm looking for a good piano for my little daughter and meself, good and inexpensive

I've come across a piano "Alexander Hermann" in a music shop. It is at least 15 years old -- it is made in GDR-- but I believe that it is "new". It seems to have the wood messed up a bit, perhaps that's why it's never found a buyer. Here in ANdorra folks have a lot of dough, they only buy fancy looking things.

Anyway, it seems to have a wonderful sonorité, with a bass more impressive than most all the other pianos I saw there (Romschild, Yamaha). Maybe I could get it for 100 or 200 euros. But ... do you know anything about this manufacturer. And more generally, would it be a silly idea to buy a piano that has been effectively abandoned for 10 years or more?

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 25 Feb 2006, 20:48

I don't know anything about the make - that's more Barrie or Pianoguy's department, being a new (in piano terms) piano, but from a tuner's point of view, the neglect can probably be overcome. It would take 2 or 3 tunings before it was happy to stay in tune and at pitch, but PROVIDED IT'S STRUCTURALLY SOUND!!! it should be fine. But do get it looked at by a professional before you put your hand in your pocket; it might save an expensive mistake. I think it will probably be fine - I find in wealthy areas the kids express a desire for something on a whim, get it IMMEDIATELY and two weeks later go off it, and aren't made to carry on by their parents. Because the parents don't need the money, they don't bother trying to sell it (because they correctly surmise that a one day old piano is worth a fraction of a new one) so it sits in the corner, unplayed and abused (hence the state of the case) until it's an eyesore which upsets the decor...which is, possibly, where you come in!
Get it checked over first, but remember that worrying about the casework is like worrying about the box that a pair of shoes comes in; look beyond the box!

mrkennethalan · Post by **mrkennethalan** » 26 Feb 2006, 19:33

Thank you for your reply, Gill.

I went back to the piano shop with a friend of mine who used to restore and repair and tune pianos with his father in the south of France. He was surprised to see the sorry condition of the pianos, and thinks that it would be a mistake to buy anything from this shop. He said that with his father they had many pianos in their workshop but always well cared for. Would you buy a car that hadn't been well maintained, he asked me.

I believe that I will follow his advice.

By the way, I find this forum fascinating.