Manuel is a passionate, driven, and techsavvy AV technician, When faced with the daunting task of purchasing a new piano, there are numerous criteria that should be taken into consideration. In my previous post, I discussed the basic needs behind a piano purchase. In this article, the main focus is on why a rebuilt, used Steinway Piano may be a better choice than a brand-new piano.
First, let’s consider what you get when you purchase a new vehicle, as more people are familiar with this. You get the latest gadgets, the best technology, the best warranty (usually), and the prestige of being the owner of a new car. All of these factors contribute to the fact that when purchasing a new car, as soon as you drive off the dealer’s parking lot, you lose 30% of the value of the car. So, what have dealers who sell older cars done? Many of them upgrade some parts of the car to the new technologies, if possible, but usually the gadgets remain the same as they were when the car was originally produced. Some dealers refurbish the exterior, the interior, overhaul the engine, etc., to put the car in the best possible condition, and then they offer a stunning 100,000-mile warranty on the car, just as good as new. But best of all, when driving away with a pre-owned car, the owner realizes that although he doesn’t have the “prestige” of the brand-new car owner, he will have the “prestige” of a like-new car, and the knowledge that he actually saved 30% over the purchase of a brand-new vehicle.
With pianos, it is similar, but even better. First, the new piano will have new technology ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence - With ChatGPT, we find ourselves in the midst of a technological revolution these days. Many people are oblivious to it. For instance, my wife, who isn't very tech-savvy, has no idea how crucial these years are for the future of the next generations. Artificial intelligence is here, many will lose their jobs, and new technologies… , but probably not much different than the technology in pianos from about 1935 until the present, with the exception of some experimental technologies in the 1960s by Steinway, which they later removed. And the parts that are not the same can be updated to the latest technologies with little effort. For example, the strings and agraffes (the bridges) are the latest technologies. The Teflon of the 1960s is removed if desired. The bushings and felts can all be updated. And most importantly, the soundboard is updated or replaced to be brand new so as to have the impact equivalent to a new piano. In fact, other than the casing and the frame, almost every part of the piano is restored and renewed to preserve the original piano’s value, but update it to be just as modern as a new piano.
And here is where it gets better: the warranty offered at this point is similar to a brand-new piano, the value of the rebuilt piano is often much higher than the value of the new piano, and best of all, the sound and touch will be superior to a brand-new piano. The sound, in particular, can be better because of the aging and other factors in the original wooden casing and framing. The touch is improved because when rebuilding, the best technicians often spend more time than the factory because every part of every key must be reviewed and adjusted to bring it to the optimal touch.
Not merely the value, but the cost is a lot much better than a unique piano because you’re buying a piano which was initially produced in historically lower dollars, and the rebuilding expense, that is usually 30% lower than the expense of the brand fresh piano. As an example, our Steinway Model D pianos are indexed between $ 65000 and $ 79000. These are around 30% lower than brand hot Steinway D pianos, but their appearance, sound, standard, warranty, value is because wise because if not much better than a brand unique Steinway D from a Steinway Dealer or the factory. This really is due to the care and workmanship of the craftsman associated. There are 1 condition where the rebuilding of piano is not worthwhile: when the craftsman refuses to have the rebuilding abilities or skills. Unfortunately, this does result, thus a few of the rebuilt Steinway pianos could look like a Steinway, but they never sound or feel like a Steinway. That is a shame because then the value of the piano is similar to a vehicle with gadgets that don’t work or seats that are ripped, but you may be nevertheless paying for it as if it is actually brand unique. Ensure the craftsman has the skills and learning of the work necessary. The sound and touch are more significant in determining the standard of the rebuild over the general appearance of the piano because although refinishing the lumber is difficult, the abilities included in changing a soundboard, ribs, updating the action, etc. are more difficult.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
