Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Buying a piano blindly...

Yes, yes, I know that this is a bad idea, but hear me out for a second.

Let's say that there is a piano I am interested in (which is in another state). It looks like it is in decent condition.

Would having a tech look at it then report back to me be a wise choice? At the moment, going to see the piano in person is out of the question. However, perhaps going on Skype with the tech might lead to some results.

What are your thoughts on this PW (besides the fact that I'm a total nutjob for even thinking about doing something like this)?

I did exactly that. The piano was on a different continent! I got a tech and a pianist to look at several and select the best one of the lot. It worked well for me.

The tech could tell you whether the piano's in good condition (and therefore whether you should bother going to see it in person), but he/she couldn't tell you whether you like its sound, touch etc. Are you buying the piano as an ornament?
If this piano's so rare and special that you have to consider it even though it's in another state, surely it's enough of an expensive and important purchase that you'd want to try it before buying it?

Definitely not buying it as an ornament. However, both you are giving me very helpful advice. Thank you.

@Phillip How did you get it to your home? I can only begin to imagine delivery costs..

@biasa199 everything is cheaper in eastern Europe

It was, and still is, in Bulgaria where my home is located. Delivery costs were, from memory, 500 Leva= 240 Euros, or slightly less

This is something that is possible to do:

1) If you are not terribly choosy about touch or tone.
2) If the piano is such a deal that it is worth the risk
3) If you light your after dinner cigar with cash because you just have too darn much of it.

Although Philip did OK with this I have lost count of the people just within this past year who came on this board asking about changing the touch and/or tone of a piano they chose and now cannot tolerate.

Some of those posters saw the piano in person but just played a few notes on them. Some bought them online without seeing them. Do not think that Philip's experience is typical. It is not.

My 2 cents,

ROFL..

Mine was #2 I can assure you.

Do you think that having a tech checking it out before making the trip out there would be a better approach?

Stevie Wonder has always bought his pianos blindly and he's doing just fine...

Groan

The last piano I purchased was bought sight unseen; and, it was a #2 in Rich's list. Ironically, it has turned out to be the second best piano I have ever owned... I love it!

My Yamaha C7 is the best piano I've ever owned and remains so; but I looked at it and played it first, before I bought it.

Rick