We assumed he would lower the price a lot because of that, just as you say, and he did. Depending on a technician's evaluation, no doubt he would go lower. His store isn't so big that he can just put this in a corner and let time pass.

If this sound board eventually failed sooner than anyone expected, there might be a market in those companies for buying this piano from me for further restoration?

If the piano/soundboard has 20 or 30 more good years left in it, I'm not too concerned with the resale value. There is no one to inherit the piano from us, and in 30 years I'll be 93 (but more likely gone!). I do appreciate your sanity measure, musicpassion. From the research, I'm wondering about the anxiety of hoping for 20 or 30 years, week after week, that "my" piano will last. I'm starting to have third thoughts because of that.

Yes there is value in a Mason Hamlin BB even as just a rebuildable core.

In my opinion there isn't for a Yamaha C7, by the way. (This is not a statement against C7s. They are fine pianos, but for a number of reasons people don't usually rebuild them).

Not that it's a big deal, but where do you get this notion that people don't rebuild Yamaha C7s?

I'd have to see hard, verifiable statistical data on this idea before I believe it.

Of course, I'm certainly no expert on pianos.

Rick

Not that it's a big deal, but where do you get this notion that people don't rebuild Yamaha C7s?

I'd have to see hard, verifiable statistical data on this idea before I believe it.

Of course, I'm certainly no expert on pianos.

Rick

Hi there, reading the pianoworld forums for the past 6 months has been very illuminating. Now I need your help, please.

I started studying classical piano at age 8, and in my 20s bought a new 5'9" Kawai grand, which I loved and played for 15 yrs before having to sell it. Then someone gave me a 1913 McPhail upright, which grew on me despite its idiosyncrasies. Now, older and with more time, I yearn for another grand, and my husband agrees I need to move on from the McPhail. Our budget is $10,000-$15,000 (tho $15K would be difficult).

Initially hoping for a lightly used Kawai grand, I'm surprised to find that I'm no longer drawn to them--even the new ones--they sound beautiful on other pianists' videos, but I haven't been feeling a connection or enjoyed playing them, nor several others I've been trying (e.g., Petrof, Baldwin, Young Chang, most Yamahas).

Today I played a 1928 Mason + Hamlin 7' grand for 2 hours and LOVED it! It has a warm, elegant, sweet yet full-bodied tone, and action on the light side but responsive to me, I felt. Very comfortable, strong connection. The bass strings look quite new; the hammers and dampers were definitely replaced and are not very worn; the pins and block look older but not in trouble (at least to the eye); the key tops have been replaced and are in perfect condition. The case is an absolutely gorgeous mahogany, and rock solid of course ...

except for this: the soundboard has several cracks in it. Why this doesn't show up in the sound when the piano is played I don't know, but it doesn't seem to be affecting it at all. So the big question is: Am I insane to consider a piano with a cracked soundboard??? The dealer has $21,000 on it but, when my husband said our budget is $10,000, he zoomed down to $13,000. There is likely still room for negotiation.

Of course we'd hire a technician to check it out thoroughly, but first it would be very helpful to hear from you folks whether we should even do that or just forget this piano. So far it's hard for me to forget. It's got soul!

Thank you kindly for any opinions, advice, thoughts.

Scout

Not that it's a big deal, but where do you get this notion that people don't rebuild Yamaha C7s?

I'd have to see hard, verifiable statistical data on this idea before I believe it.

Of course, I'm certainly no expert on pianos.

Rick

Rest assured, Rick, C7s are indeed rebuilt. It's doubtful that many are getting new soundboards yet, but they are certainly getting new actions, pin blocks, and strings! In fact, I have a client with an older C7 that will be restrung (and possibly a few other things) in the near future!

Hi Scout,

A Mason-BB from this era, in good condition, will blow the socks off other wannabe pianos. Masons are exceptional and not middle of the road contenders.

Do you consider a Yamaha C7 a "wannabe" piano? Don't misunderstand me, you're welcome to your opinion. But that would be a little surprising. But hey, we could all use a little surprising once and a while.

I agree Masons are exceptional pianos.

It looks like we have a differing definition for "rebuild". I don't consider restringing a piano a rebuild.

I consider a true rebuild to mean very comprehensive work that will make all parts of the piano like new. Certainly people put new strings,hammers etc. on Yamahas.

Also I do want to point out that my original language was "usually" don't rebuild. I think that is an accurate statement. The most rebuilt pianos, as someone already stated on this thread are Steinways, and Mason Hamlins.

Did I mention Yamaha? Why are you so defensive?