I'm still undecided between a Black Satin vs Semi-Gloss Mahogany upright from Knabe (model WKV 118 - and both are 2009). Both pianos are priced right and my research has led me to one of these two. I guess my biggest thought now, which may seem trivial and petty, is color. I still cannot decide. I like the Mahogany very much, but now I'm thinking it will negatively affect resale value in 5 years if we decide to sell and upgrade? Will it matter? Will potential buyers then merely want black? Or will it matter little so long as the Wm Knabe name and rich tone speaks for itself? Any final thoughts? Thank you all!

Mahogany


or Black Satin

For grands, black appeals to a wider audience and tends to increase percentage of resale. For uprights in a furniture style, black is much more rare. So ... my answer would be a pure guess. They are the 2 most popular colors from Knabe, I wouldn't worry about it. Get the one you prefer and chances are someone else will like it if the time comes to upgrade.

Sam was spot on.

Although the mahogany is a more popular choice, I think you would be safe for resale with either one.

My 2 cents,

I'm not so sure it matters when it comes to resale; or, if it does matter, it is not a major factor... when you buy used you can't be too choosy in regards to the exterior finish. When I was looking for a pre-owned grand I wanted a wood-grain finish; almost every pre-owned grand I looked at was ebony. So, I accepted the ebony and learned to appreciate the appearance.

Now, ebony satin would be my first choice... it's amazing how we can change our mind over time.

Rick

I have to disagree as far as resale since we can have brown upright pianos sitting at the store, take them back to the shop, refinish them in black and sell them within a couple days. Black and I am talking about Satin not high gloss out-sells any wood colored piano about 10 - 1 here in this area.

Black will go with everything but it could depend on your area. We also use a custom sage green color which is the next hottest color next to black and that also out sells the natural wood. Corvette yellow, now not so much but they still move.

I have even tried to preserve some of the fancier cabinet work that comes in but if a customer wants satin black they get that. Especially when the electric bill is due.

J C
Nashville Piano Rescue
www.NashvillePianoRescue.com
Since 1918
Lascassas TN

Its always "horses for courses" and "no accounting for taste".

When it comes to uprights, woodgrain rules - to *my* taste. With that said, I may just happen to be looking for a WHITE upright. I like white grands, but never thought I'd want an upright in white. But there ya go.

Black looks terrible on uprights in my little world. Its only so-so for grands - and in any case a piano should be shiny. Black, white, woodgrain, hot pink, chartreuse, whatever - satin looks old and tired, even though it does hide fingerprints better.

At lest there aren't any Stainless Steel pianos that I know of. What with the current fetish for Stainless appliances, I'm moderately surprised. Boy, that would be UGLY!

For you Zormpas.

I know when I was looking for my piano a few weeks ago, I was specifically looking for a dark mahogany Yamaha vertical piano. I now know that a mahogany Yamaha vertical piano is pretty rare, the vast majority are black. It just happened to luck out and the first Yamaha vertical piano I found was a very dark mahogany restored U3, and I bought it in short order (within 10 minutes of seeing it) realizing that it wouldn't be likely that I'd find another one like it so easily.