My first post... be gentle.

My wife and I are in the market for a piano. Her sister and brother-in-law are both musicians and recommended a Yamaha. We have both played in our distant past, and are looking for a reliable high quality piano which will last for years to come.

Recently, I stumbled upon a private ad for a Yamaha P116 (walnut finish). The seller claims that they are the original owner, that the piano is ~10yrs. old (actually 16-17 years by my research on the S/N), and that the piano is in "good condition". Asking price is $1850.

I plan to have a piano professional/tuner from a local Yamaha dealer take a look at it to evaluate the condition.

Anything else that I should be worried about in a private purchase?

Thanks for any help...

Dave

I honestly would not have the local Yamaha dealer's technician look at it. They most likely will try to sway you from purchasing the used Yamaha privately and convince you that you should buy something from them.

Sellers always exagerate on the piano age, so I am not suprised to hear that they said it was 10 years old, when in fact it was found to be 16-17 years old.

If you like the way the piano plays and sounds, I would hire an independent piano technician to evaluate this piano. If it checks out okay, the price certainly seems fair in comparison to other used Yamaha's on the market.

Ditto.

Thanks for the help Chistopher and Steve.

What's the best way to find an "independent" piano technician? Yellow pages, web? I guess word of mouth is always the best... guess I should ask around.

I thought it would be good to have someone who knows specifically about Yamahas, or perhaps piano mechanicals are all pretty much the same?

Dave

Centerfield,

A piano is a piano is a piano! They are all 88 keys, have hammers, a soundboard, etc. However, they all play and sound quite differently. An independent technician might have a preference towards one brand or another. But they will always (almost always) tell you what they think of it (the piano).

Also, you should find out who has maintained the piano, ask the name of the technician who serviced it and make sure it has been continually tuned and not neglected and/or abused.

I went through a similar process when I went to purchase my Petrof 124 upright used from a private party. They said 10 yrs old when it was really 12. The thing is though, if it's a well-made instrument and you like the touch and tone of it, then nothing (except a mechanical problem) should keep you from buying it.

I had a private tech look at it only to give me an extra insurance that there wasn't any sort of hidden flaw that might cost me big $$$ later on and to make sure the quality and workmanship of the piano was up to snuff.

I play my piano everyday and I love it. It stays in tune very well and it has a lovely tone that I really enjoy.

Yellow pages and websites is how I found the tech that examined my piano.

~omnisis

I had a private tech take a look at the piano. He said that it probably hadn't been tuned in 10 years.

The piano does look like new inside & out. I guess it's mostly been used as a nice looking piece of furniture. I'm thinking I may not care for the style too much...

The tech also said that it needed to be "regulated" and it would take a couple tunings to get it into shape. Anyone know if there would be any long-term effects from not having had the piano maintained well for 15 years?

In case of the P116, one of the best pianos Yamaha ever built, there should be no 'long term' effects.

My own hunch is you're on to an excellent piano at a great price!

norbert

Norbert,

I'm not familiar with that particular model...what can you tell us about it?

_____

Center,

I agree 100% with what Christopher said. Get an independent tech.

I.,

This is one of the "school" models that Yamaha marketed in the USA, built in the US - today using a Chinese action. It was originally made to compete with the Baldwin Hamilton and the like.

10 years ago it was not a bad piano, but the U series is better in just about every spec.

True Rich, but only if the U series can also be gotten for the meagre $ 1,850 stated.......

norbert

I think the price is an aweson price and a good deal for you. Go for it!

I sell Kawai and Yamaha pianos, and I am in your area and I still say go for it!

Rich,

Was this a precursor to the P2 and the P22?

Just for clarification for non-US PW members - the P-series we get in Europe is made in the Kemble factory in the UK...

Whoops,

Right church, wrong pew, Tyrri. Although I know little about the UK factory first hand, friends there in the piano biz compare them with US built product.

Thanks for the clarification.

While I'm not familiar with the 116, our kids' music school has Yammie P22's as it's staple studio piano - they now have 4, and they take a pounding, but still tune and hold up very well. I'm impressed by the bass tone of the P22, very good for a small upright, and can imagine the 116 to be no different. What you have going for you here is the price. Provided your tech gives the green light, it seems like a good deal.

On the age thing, it could well be that the current owner is the first owner, and it just may have sat in a showroom for a few years before being moved. It's not all that uncommon for an instrument to be a few years off the assembly line before it finds its first owner.

Jamie

Great to sell the piano !

For our experience , our local customers like to buy Yamaha U series . And vast of stock (from Yamaha to Kawai and other Japanese brand names ).


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Jaz Leung

The original thread is now three years old!

What's the point here?