This post is also on the main forum and a breakaway from an earlier one I started asking for the value of a 1991 Yamaha G2r

Last night my son and I went to inspect and play this piano. While it did seem to sound good to us (untrained at how it should sound) and on the outside looked to be in excellent condition, upon careful inspection both under and on top I found several cracks on the sound board, one from end to end right up the middle on the top side running the length and the ones underneath ran across the sound board. (Are these boards laminated boards? If I recall the grain did run opposite from topside to the underside.) This piano had been moved to London England and back twice and also spent some time in heated storage.

While reading Larry Fines book he does mention that cracks may not be a show stopper but they are and can be an issue.
How bad could this be? If it sounds good at this time will that be changing because of the cracks?
If the asking price is $7500 what should these cracks do to the value or is this piano simply just an ornamental piece and not to be considered as an instrument for 2 aspiring children at this time?

I am also wondering could it be an opportunity to purchase something at a very discounted price subject to the owner?

Thanks
RonVF

Take pics, and post them next time around.

While the cracks themselves may not cause a problem, it's definitely a symptom of the piano suffering from its environment. Chances are likely that other, more serious problems may exist.

Whatever you spend in advance to have a technician check out tuning pin torque and other vital measurements is negligible compared to the cost of repairing such problems after you've already purchased it.

Much better to get the bad news now, along with the cost of repairs, when negotiating price.

--Cy--

I think be careful here, as a 2001 piano should not show cracks unless it has been in a really cruddy environment or something more serious happened to it.

I am not a piano expert, but I thought cracks were expected in much older instruments and perhaps after many decades. Am I right or wrong here?

I would check the serial number on the Yamaha web site (link below)and make sure it is not gray market. Normally cracks disappear once the piano is returned to its proper environment.

http://www.yamaha.com/pianoserials/index.asp

Cracks disappear??? The wood grows back together? Please tell me you mean the gaps can close up...

Yes the gaps close up. I have one in the garage that does that. That doesn't mean it won't buzz.

Where you are at, Jurgen, you probably don't see the 12% dryness we get here. The cracks finally will stay.

The problem with grey market is the emc of wood in japan is higher. Over 9% there instead of 7%. You will never get the piano back to the original state here. The pianos made for that climate develop cracks here. If you send one to arizona they fall apart.