Our church has been looking for a grand piano for a new auditorium. I located a 9' Baldwin grand at a dealer andhe stated that it had been rebuilt some time ago, but did not kn ow the details. The action feels superb, the keys do not have any slop qand the overall condition is good. My question is that many of the notes really have a tinny sound. Would this be solved with voicing or would it indicate having to replace the hammers or possible a problem with the strings? The price seems right at $28,000.

soundboard?

It's impossible to evaluate a piano by email. For due diligence on a purchase of that magnitude, get a technician (uninvolved with the dealer) to give it an inspection and appraisal. You can find one here:
http://www.ptg.org

You don't mention the piano's age, but a concert grand typically gets lots of wear. There are many fine new pianos in your price range (not 9', but still suitable for a church).

--Cy--

Cy is absolutely right. You need to have a tech evaluate the piano. As a percentage of the investment it would be sheer stupidity not to. If this was a $1000 piano I would recomend Larry Fines book that explains what to look for in a piano so you don't get ripped off.

Analysis of sound and the actual cause is something only an experienced tech or rebuilder would know. pay for the good one.

Tonyf,

If a piano less than 9’ will look OK, I suggest visiting a Yamaha dealer and checking out a MIDI Grand, such as the MPC2 5’8” acoustic grand piano. A laser beam inside monitors the action and converts the info to MIDI. A 9’ CFIIIS sample, which is part of the electronics, can be piped through a small studio monitor under the piano making the 5’8” sound similar to the 9’. You still hear the acoustic piano loud and clear, but the bass is similar to the 9’. You can also play MIDI synths and keyboards from the piano keys, adding pipe organ, strings, choirs, etc. The CFIIIS sample is very high quality and can be put directly into your PA instead of using a microphone.

I’ve sold several of these to churches who wanted nothing to do with digital music. Every single church bought one and they are thrilled when I call them.

Tuning is easy. Just tune the acoustic piano to the CFIIIS sample note for note. Then smooth the acoustic piano octaves and other intervals slightly to accommodate the inharmonicity.

To your original question, yes it is possible that voicing would take care of the tinny sound. It is common that pianos start to sound tinny, and the hammers need voicing. The hammers may just be slightly worn and need voicing, or they may be badly worn and need replaced. As Cy says, it is impossible to evaluate the piano over the internet.

Hmmm. I wonder how "rebuilt" it is. Strings and pins? Hammers? Damper felts? pinblock?. I would suggest that for that amount of money you buy a piano that is suitable as is. Let the seller fix any problems to avoid the risk of getting stuck with a piano that will give you headaches in the future. Remember, it will sound different in the church, and the present problems could be magnified.