I'm new to the forum and I am grateful for the wealth of information I have found so far. A dealer (about 2 hours away from me) has a 2007 Steingraeber 205 that was "only used for 30 concerts" and, according to him, is in perfect condition. Apparently, the piano was in their piano rental program. I'm looking to purchase the piano but was wondering if there is anything I should be wary about given that it is a "rental" piano. What would be a fair price? I haven't made the trip to see it yet. Thanks in advance.

If you have any concern about the condition of this piano, hire an independant piano tech to check it out. A Steingraeber 205 is an awfully nice piano and 30 concerts is not a lot of use unless they were extensively voicing the hammers for many of the artists ( unlikely )

The current model 212 which is based on the 205 with a better bass and some other tweaks lists for around $117,000.

Here is a recording of some gorgeous Ravel on a PianoCraft custom Steingraeber 205 that you might enjoy.

http://www.pianocraft.net/videos/category/steingraeber/1048/

Good luck and keep us posted!

I just bought a Steingraeber C-212 from Keith's shop -- it's a lovely instrument, and Steingraebers are on anyone's short list of the best pianos you'll find.

Unless you're an expert, though, I'd suggest you engage one to provide counsel on such an expensive acquisition in such an opaque field of goods and services.

I was fortunate to have the wonderful Steve Cohen advising me, and he was absolutely indispensable. He never told me what to buy -- far from it -- but he gave me some background and perspectives on the whole process that made it much easier and, ultimately, more successful.

But Keith is right -- at a bare minimum, have an expert tech check out this particular piano.

Good luck!

Hey ClsscLib,

I hope you are enjoying your wonderful 212. That specific piano is one of my all time favorites!

Just to be clear though, the video I posted ( http://www.pianocraft.net/videos/category/steingraeber/1048/ ) is a Steingraeber 205, and not your piano.

This video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etl4900fOZQ is your Steingraeber 212!

Thanks, Keith. You did say that in your post -- I just breezed past it. No more decaf...

Acerostone,

Do you happen to live in Germany, not far from Hannover?

I tried a 2007 Steingraeber 205 used only for concert rental last year. I completely fell in love with this piano, which is just amazing, and was in top condition. I absolutely wanted to buy it, but various factors/events came into play that prevented me from doing it. Yet I continued to hope it wouldn't sell so I could buy it later! As a matter of fact, I posted extensively about this piano here on pianoworld:

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1471355/Re:%20Steinway%20B%20or%20Steingraber%20.html#Post1471355

So if it is this piano:

http://www.fluegelfink.de/verkauf.html

PLEASE DON'T BUY IT! Don't even drive the 2 hours to Hannover (I took a 15 hour train!).

By the way, I thought that the piano technician that sells it was a pure genius! The piano was marvelously prepped, and when I told him the piano might be a litlle too loud for my appartment, he did a 5 minute prep that made it softer.

I thought this model was actuallt better than the new 212 I tried.

Thanks for the advice. I'm definitely going to take a tech with me to view the piano. I'm trying to decide between a S&S B, Bosendorfer 214, and the Steingraeber. It's tough because I don't feel I have the expertise to really discern/appreciate the differences between the pianos. One day I wake up and I'm set on the Bosendorfer, the next day its the Steingraeber.

belsha,

Don't worry. I live in the U.S., so your piano is safe.

Well, you have a very good selection, you can't really go wrong with any of those! So lucky!!!

I wouldn't worry about it being a rental piano. 30 concerts is very little, and unless it was moved and/or damaged, it should be a fine instrument indeed, I would think.

Best of luck!

It's the individual pianos that count – and particularly, but not only, when they are already used or reconditioned– and not the brand. So waking up is not the moment to decide, but when you are testing/trying each individual piano – there can be large differences between different pianos of the same model/brand.

As of your list:

Steinway B - you can't go wrong (especially if its a Hamburg)
Steingraeber – wonderfully musical pianos, as good, but different, as the Steinway, but potentially harder to resell than the Steinway
Boesendörfer – can be magical – and then it's instant love – but it's harder to find a good one, used ones are often out of shape, and didn't like the newer models I've tested. Also aren't as versatile as the Steinways and Steingraebers.

As for the price, the 2007 Steingraeber 205 with 20 concerts or so I tried sold for 40 000€. That was an amazing price, compared to all the other used pianos I had tried during 6 months in a similar price range.

What would I be wary of with an ex-rental instrument?

1. Moving damage
2. Difficult-to-undo changes in voicing by prior users/techs
3. Warranty coverage

These things can be verified with a thorough tech inspection as well as your own ears and fingers. There are certainly fine examples of the other instruments you are considering too (and likely more used ones in the US market if you're budget-constrained).

I've played two model 205's. One was very interesting and to my liking, while the other had been voiced by someone who didn't know what they were doing, making the tone rather pedestrian...

Acerostone, Just Curious,

What city or locale are you in?

Ditto, along with indoor climate changes. If the piano has been at one venue for 30 concerts, it's a different case from being hauled around to different venues.

Keith Kerman,

It's nice to hear that 212 again and nice to hear the 205 as well. Don't be a stranger here. You may not need this forum, but it needs you.

I'd like to send a tech to evaluate the piano prior to me making the trip to the dealer. If the tech gives me the ok, then I would drive down. Does anyone see a problem with this? Do I need to be there while the tech is looking at the piano?

What is he asking for the 205?

Asking price is $45k.