Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Is a Yamaha C3 from 1972 too old?

Hello,

I am new and this is my first post. I am a professional pianist looking for a medium-sized grand piano on a limited budget. I am wondering if a Yamaha C3 (6'1") built in 1972 is too old to buy. I have found one that is going for $6900. My technician says it is in very good condition, with only hammers needing to be re-shaped; crown is 3/32" to 1/8", tuning pins are fine. When I played some keys whose hammers he had re-shaped, I found that the sound went from way-too-bright to somewhat dull. He thought we should visit the piano again and see if it is possible to get just the right sound. He said that if I put a damp-chaser on it, that it could double the life of the piano.

Even if we got a sound that I loved after working with the hammers, I am afraid that the piano would begin to deteriorate after a few years since it is already 38 years old. Though I know that $6900 doesn't seem like much for a grand piano, I have never spent this much money on a piano before, and am nervous.

Thank you for any feedback.

Well, to be honest the instrument is not 6900.00 dollars. It is 6900.00 dollars less the complete grand regulation with hammer shaping and voicing.

So subtract $2000.00 off the asking price. The instrument will have to be moved ($200.00) and tuned ($150.00)

A 38 yr. old early Yammy will need string soon; if not now ... for another $4000.00 dollars.

Still interested? Not trying to rain on your parade.....................

I can’t advise you on any more because we cannot see the instrument in question. Only the tech you are working with can.

To get the right sound by going back and shaping hammers is a bit futile. The action has not been regulated or the key frame has not been bedded...... the instrument is basically in its raw state from being used by someone else.

Apparently they did not do much maintenance from what you have posted so far....

Yes I second what Dan say, strings : 35 years is a lot, hammers , for professional use you will get something wuth new hammers, but indeed if your budget is low you may prefer a piano with new wire and old hammers.

Maintenance : it is what keep the musical interest of an instrument. It is sad to say that but one advantage of the grey market Yams is that Japanese technicians follow a maintenance schedule, so action is rarely unevenly worn -they work under the control of the factory so they have to keep the instruments clean, screws tight, hammer shaped, etc, which is done on the fly , a visit being 3:00 it allow for some work to be done.

for a C3 a hammer set plus shank may cost around 2500$ plus 2 days work
general care of the action may take 2 days , coming from nothing)
the bass strings are shot long before 30years on those pianos, and the plain wire sound thin because of age and quality.

Then, you only can afford a second hand grand, you are obliged to accept compromize.

Is your technician able to change the strings set in a few days ? is he trained to mount new hammers ? does he have a sufficent level of exigence for touch and tone .?
If so you may deal with him, but the largest amount will be to pay the work, to put the piano at a good level.
in the end what count is that You like the piano, but on an old piano you should accept what you heard (muffled and thin tone)

Does not mean that the piano is not good, but take in account the repairs, particularely because you are professional the wear of the piano will be very different with you.

Good luck

Thank you Silverwood Pianos and Kamin,

I see your point about inevitable expense due to age of the piano. Ok, I will continue my search!!!

Thank you again.

May be you will be lucky and find a more recent one , probably for a little more. You have to be lucky, but it happens. I have seen a small grand Schimmel 150 in very perfect condition, dating 1985, really unplayed , sold for 6000€ (* 1,25) - rare,very rare, but it happens .
the Yamaha action is long lasting, but it have to be regulated regularely, or the knuckle deforms. the wear accelerates, etc.

I recently rebuilt the action on a 1965 Yamaha G7.

Sound board was in beautiful condition in it's ability to produce full fundamental's across the entire 88 keys, colorful interest and significant dynamic range.

I couldn't help but notice the Maple rim .... and the some of the nicest tight straight grained spruce keys I have ever seen.

I would look more closely at these "Older" Yamaha's.
Nice materials and very usable design.

I am not fond of the hammers from that period. I would change them.
Shaping helps the old hammers but the remaining felt is not resilient and although you can get a decent pianissimo, forte is strident and distorted.

I used the Ronsen Weickert Felt hammers on the Yamaha G7. Exceptional results and I am using them again on the C5 in the shop.

Thank you Kamin and Larry,

I have told the owner that I will not be purchasing the Yamaha C3. It was difficult to say no. But the age created too many unknown factors for me. I will continue my search, and try to learn all I can. I appreciate your input!

Though I am an advocate of buying newer preowned or new as it applies to THIS pricepoint piano category,that C3 would be a legit purchase for the right $ which would be 3-3.5K max in that you got $ to now invest in making it righteous.
Once these pianos reach the point whereas the restoration cost exceeds the market selling value than these pianos will filter down to the restoration firms for pennies on the dollar. They in turn refurbish or restore them profiting on the restoration labour. Technically the piano is a freebie if you pay for the restoration.