Found a Yamaha P22 (GA built, 1994; one owner) on Craigslist a couple of weeks ago. Made an offer, which was accepted, and had the piano moved this morning. Incidentally, if you are in Texas, PM me if you need a recommendation for a piano mover. The guys I hired did a great job at a good price.

A couple of questions:

I talked to a tuner yesterday and he suggested I wait a few weeks before having him come out. My teacher echoed his thoughts. Different relative humidity could affect the tuning. Certainly makes sense and I will do that. However, while I haven't really put it on my tuning meter to see how it is, I want to play it now. Would it be possible and/or worthwhile to have him come out and do some sort of "pre-tune" so I can play it now without it being too far off (if indeed it is)? I guess the second part of this question is, will it harm the piano to play it a little out of tune? I'm assuming not, but I'd like to hear input from you guys.

Second, what, IF ANY, furniture polish should I use on the wood of the piano? I have some recommended by the Amish furniture guys for a few pieces of hardwood furniture we have. I don't have to use any, and I won't unless I get a good consensus that says it is not only OK, but preferred. Just wondering if this is a good idea or even necessary. By the way, this Yamaha is Dark American Oak finish and I think the wood is Oak.

Thanks for the input!

Waiting for a 3 or 4 weeks is a good idea. If it's been many years since the piano was last tuned, you might be in for 2 tunings anyway. One to bring it up to pitch and tune it and a 2nd one in oh, a couple of months after it has settled due to string stretching etc. to tune it again.

You could have it tuned now. It's your choice. It may, or may not stay put too however, understand too that especially at this time of the year many of us are booked way ahead. I only have a few openings left in October, none in November, some in December and none in January. In other words, don't call the tuner after the 4 weeks has gone by to tune it. Schedule the appointment now instead or you're liable to wait 4-8 weeks longer depending on how busy he is.

No, it will not harm the piano to play it out of tune. It might drive everyone around you nuts though..

I am not a furniture guy but, in talking with the person that I have fix furniture bangs and such, he HATES IT when people use polish because it makes his job that much more difficult. He would rather they just dust it off with a very soft rag with water and vinegar he said. Very well diluted.

Found a Yamaha P22 1994 from craigslist as well. Will take a look soon. Mind sharing your price? Thank you!

They were asking $2K, then lowered it to $1800 after I looked at it (redid the ad, but I just saw it the other day after we made the deal). I offered them $1.5K and they accepted, but they were a little motivated. Plus, when my wife and I went over, we visited for a few minutes and they seemed to like us. I think that made some difference -- they knew we'd take good care of their piano! Don't ever underestimate these kind of what I call soft-sell techniques.

As far as the tuning -- I spot checked about 25 notes. I used my iPhone's tuner app and all the sample keys were consistently flat. The app has 7 marks between each note (e.g. F#/G) and all were one mark (or 1/8th, if you will) flat. I have used this check tuning on other pianos (church and school) and other instruments, including my electronic keyboards. I want a pro tuner to use the tools he trusts, but I think the app is reasonably accurate for what I'm using it for. I have no interest in tuning pianos for a living!

Thank you very much for the information. You got a good deal. Congrats!

Congrats on your new to you piano!
I don't understand why you're relying on a tuner app to assess the tuning instead of just playing it and using your ear( you've not mentioned doing this). Granted, the piano may be flat, but it may be in pretty good tune with itself, even if it's not at concert pitch, and might sound pretty good. The portion of your post I've put in "bold" seems like it might bare that out. No offense, just pointing this out. Enjoy your new acquisition.
Incidentally, your piano looks like one here in a local church that I have played. That particular piano sounds lovely. Reminds me of bells ringing.

I'm relying on the app to get at the very least a "down and dirty" idea of where the piano is, tune wise. I had a very busy week and an early morning yesterday (Sat) moving the piano and haven't sat down to play it since I wanted to relax and watch football yesterday. I played a few chords and arpeggios, and the piano sounded OK -- not to say I won't tune it but it sounds OK within itself, as you put it. I made the statement only to give Jerry an idea of where the piano was based on his comments.

At least for now, when I'm playing it and miss a note or two, I can just say the piano is out of tune and blame it!

When we got our piano we had it tuned after a few days, because we just couldn't wait for it to 'settle in.' Then we had it tuned about 6 weeks after that.

Now, years later, we still call the 'piano tuna' about 4 times a year. We're spoiled, picky, or 'just have good ears' as our kind tuner says.

I play a P22 at work. I like it, but I do wish it were tuned more frequently! I clean the crayon off of it when necessary.

I'm guessing work is an elementary school and not a college practice room?

Those are good workhorse pianos. I played several at my schools. Those and the Baldwin Hamiltons are good pianos. BTW, I think you got a great deal.

I had a player do that 2 days after our church piano was tuned. He said,"When's the last time this piano was tuned?" I said, "Two days ago"(wanted to say, "Yeah, i saw ya hit that note"). But he's one of those guys that thinks he doesn't make mistakes. Very talented player, but even the best hit a sour note now and again. If he can blame the piano, so can you.

Not college. Kids with autism, aged 2-15.
The P22 stands up admirably.

To clean my piano and organs, I use a clean, well wrung out, almost dry chamois and work on a section at a time in circular motion, then dry it completely with a dry towel or similar.

There's a big difference between hitting the wrong note and piano being out of tune... ah well.

Check with your doctor before using this technique for your internal organs.

We're a couple of weeks in. Still a week or two before I call the tuner, but its getting hard. It isn't that bad playing it, but I can definitely tell the piano is a little off.

One other thing - other P22s I've played seem to have a little "deeper" action -- its like the keys go down a little further. Assuming that's true, is that something a technician can adjust? I've heard these pianos are workable, but didn't know what all they can and can't do.

The key dip may be adjustable but shallow isn't necessarily a bad thing.