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I found a private ad for a 6 foot something 1973 Knabe Grand that has recently been "completely refurbished" and refinished. I've seen the ad many times, but wasn't interested because of what I've heard about this vintage. But... the owner has been lowering the price each week. He's moving, he says, and can't afford to move the piano; nor does he have room for it. Now the price is set at $3,500. I can't help but entertain thoughts about the piano.

So my question is, are Aeolian era Knabes pianos that should be be avoided at any price (ie: Kimball La Petite grands) or might one be worth considering if it's cheap enough and had work done?

I've read many opinions about these, and they all fit in two categories:

1. Aeolian Knabes can be good/decent pianos, but fall short of the standards of the original Baltimore Knabes.
2. They are junk.

So what are they, trash or decent pianos, and why? What caused the decrease in quality? Workmanship? Design changes/downgrades?

I'm going to look into what exactly the seller means by "completely refurbished" and I'll also look into who did the work. Without a doubt, if (and that's a big if) I were to see it, I'd take my tech with me; but I don't want to bother wasting my money, time, or thoughts on this piano if, generally, these are pianos that are worthy of being made into firewood. So does anyone care to comment?

1973? Aeolian era?
The Knabe that Samick reverse manufactured was a 1928 model.

Keith

Here's general info about the rebuild/recondition/refurbish confusion:
http://ptg.org/resources-pianoOwners-definitions.php

http://ptg.org/resources-pianoOwners-rebuilding.php

--Cy--

Well, that's interesting. I knew Samick reverse engineered a 20's Knabe. In fact, I read it here on PianoWorld; but I'm not sure why my question prompted that response. Thanks, though!

I would be more concerned about why it was refinished than that it was a Knabe of that era. They were decent pianos. I remember recommending one of them for a church over a Yamaha a bit later in the 1970s. They were better sounding pianos, and played reasonably well.

The design changes between the Aeolian American makes and their earlier incarnations were often less than those in Steinways, because they were not financially able to make drastic changes, like cutting down the rims, something that I dislike in newer Steinways.

^ Thanks Cy and BDB. Yes, I was wondering the same thing about the refinishing. I'm going to have a lot of questions for the seller, and then if I'm satisfied with them I'll have my tech tell me what he thinks.

Where would you rate those Knabes if you were to compare them to modern pianos, or even the new Knabes? If you don't want to compare them to specific brands, what price range or tier would you expect them to sell in?

For instance, if I were to spend $11,000 on a new piano today, would I most likely be purchasing one of greater, lesser, or equal quality to the Knabe's produced in the 70's. Maybe that's unanswerable... I'm just trying to get a better sense of how those of you who have have experience with these view them.

I'm not sure why my question prompted that response. Thanks, though! [/QB][/QUOTE]

The Aeolian era was the 1920's. My comment was to indicate that an Aeolian piano from that era would be good considering Samick used one as their model.
I thought you made a mistake on the age of the piano you are looking at. 1973? Aeolian? a '73 Knabe is a Samick, I believe.

No it was Aeolian who manufactured them until the East Rochester plant closed on July 22, 1982

Frank,

My experience with Knabe's from the early 70's is not good. Very inconsistent quality. You never know what kind of problem you will find, both in the action as well as the rest of the piano. Sometimes you could find a good one. This is the time I first started tuning, and it was very discouraging to see this quality from all of the Aeolian Rochester brands. And that was the better Aeolian factory!

Since this piano has been "rebuilt", I suggest you keep an open mind. It might be a beautiful piano. Be sure and have your tech check it very thouroughly. Let us know what you find.

What about a rebuilt 6'4" 1933 Baltimore Knabe for $12K? I had a tech check it out, and he confirms that it's in great condition. Can you compare it to a newer piano in a similar price range?