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Joined: Jan 2014
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I finally have the ability to purchase a grand piano, which is something I've dreamed of doing for many years. I'm considering a Steinway B, M&H BB, and several others. The problem, however, is that my job is of a nature that I almost certainly will have to move inside of 12 months, and then likely will have to move again 12 months later. I'm not really certain what will happen after that. So, my quandary is this:
1. Is it better to purchase a high-end grand now, knowing full well that I will *definitely* have to move it at least twice, or 2. Is it better to purchase a less expensive grand with a view towards selling it after I "settle down" knowing full well that I will *definitely* be less than thrilled with it while I've got it?
I don't want to anger the piano gods, either way.
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Joined: May 2001
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As long as you can find a very reliable mover, I think you should buy your dream piano now. The cost of moving the piano several times will probably be less than the increased price of your dream piano in a few years vs. today's price plus the loss you will take selling the less expensive grand.
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Hi PianoMan40 - Welcome to Piano World!
Why deprive yourself in the meantime?
Your piano won't be damaged if you use a quality piano mover for each relocation.
Life is short!
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
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FWIW: The Steinway Model B grand weighs approximately 760 lbs. And it is, by a considerable margin, the lightest (roughly) 7' grand piano available.
(But, then, I've been advocating lighter weight pianos for some time now with little success.)
ddf
Delwin D Fandrich Piano Research, Design & Manufacturing Consultant ddfandrich@gmail.com (To contact me privately please use this e-mail address.)
Stupidity is a rare condition, ignorance is a common choice. --Anon
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It really depends on how much time you have and how much money you have.
If you're old and rich, get the Steinway B, and pay to move it.
If you're young and broke, get a digital that you can move yourself, and save up for that great piano a couple years in the future.
If you're young and rich, get the Steinway.
If you're old and broke, welcome to the club. ;-)
-- J.S. Knabe Grand # 10927 Yamaha CP33 Kawai FS690
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I would guess, from a monetary perspective, you would do better buying the top quality piano now, then paying to move it; compared to the depreciation of a lower-quality grand 10 years from now. The higher-quality grand will depreciate in value as well, but unless you are planning on selling it, you won't care.
Also, for some reason, the price of top-quality pianos has been going up a lot recently. If you wait 4 years, you could end up paying $10k-$20k more than if you buy it now.
Poetry is rhythm
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As long as you can find a very reliable mover, I think you should buy your dream piano now. The cost of moving the piano several times will probably be less than the increased price of your dream piano in a few years vs. today's price plus the loss you will take selling the less expensive grand. I totally agree with pianoloverous!!
Feurich 172(Hand built in Gunzenhausen Germany) Yamaha CGP 1000 1920 Cunningham player piano
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Get the one you want and start living your dream now! The pianos only get more expensive as time goes on...
-Michael
Estonia L225 in April '14...
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If you can afford a Steinway B, MH BB, you can afford to move it. Don't worry about the mechanics of the move, just abstract it. You simply write a check and it magically shows up in your new house. My guess is you could get it moved across the country for $1000-$1500, living room to living room.
The only thing that adds a bit of complexity is a piano is like a dog when you're looking for a rental. It's another thing to consider when finding your next pad.
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1. Is it better to purchase a high-end grand now, knowing full well that I will *definitely* have to move it at least twice, or 2. Is it better to purchase a less expensive grand with a view towards selling it after I "settle down" knowing full well that I will *definitely* be less than thrilled with it while I've got it? I don't want to anger the piano gods, either way. Greetings, The question can't be answered until there are others asked, such as, What is two years of playing your dream worth? Is the price of a move worth a years playing? How important is it to you to be thrilled? What would you do if you knew you only had 10 years of life left? 20 years? 6 months? There are no guarantees, other than that our time is finite, thus, the only thing of real value we possess. Why wait for that perfect time which we all know many never come. If you can afford your dream piano now, carpe diem and let the movers worry about the tote. P.S. the piano gods don't care what you play. Regards,
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A couple of thoughts. I have the Mason-Hamlin BB and love it, but for its size it is about the heaviest piano made. It is a tank. The good side I would think is that it can take a little bit of abuse (which I hope it never gets, but good to know it is well-built) but if going up a lot of stairs, some extra movers might be required. It took 5 men to take mine up one flight of stairs. The cost to move it was similar to the comments others have posted above, so I would think you could budget this amount for each move and be in the ball park. On the Steinway issue: my daughter bought a new one about eight or ten years ago and the price just keeps climbing on them. If she had waited for three or four years, it would have cost her about 40-50% more. If she had bought a cheaper "temp" piano, the loss from trading it in and the increase in cost would have made that even more of a hit, I think. If you can afford one of these pianos now and can imagine yourself adding a few thousand for the moves, I would go for it now. Just my opinion. Best wishes.
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I fell in lust and as it turns out, love, with a Mason & Hamlin BB and, despite being a callow lad, have NOT YET been tempted to cheat. I read about the "bond" that piano shoppers experience but was skeptical until I found my baby. This note is only to support the idea that, for some of us, M&H BB is "the one."
Good luck
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1. Is it better to purchase a high-end grand now, knowing full well that I will *definitely* have to move it at least twice, or 2. Is it better to purchase a less expensive grand with a view towards selling it after I "settle down" knowing full well that I will *definitely* be less than thrilled with it while I've got it? I don't want to anger the piano gods, either way. Greetings, The question can't be answered until there are others asked, such as, What is two years of playing your dream worth? Is the price of a move worth a years playing? How important is it to you to be thrilled? What would you do if you knew you only had 10 years of life left? 20 years? 6 months? There are no guarantees, other than that our time is finite, thus, the only thing of real value we possess. Why wait for that perfect time which we all know many never come. If you can afford your dream piano now, carpe diem and let the movers worry about the tote. P.S. the piano gods don't care what you play. Regards, I can't really agree. Since paying for the dream piano now is apparently no problem, as I see things the only downside to buying the dream piano now is the cost of the various moves. The downsides of buying the dream piano later are the price will be greater, there will be a loss when the non dream piano is sold, and less time for playing the dream piano. The cost of moving the piano several times will probably be much less than higher price of the dream piano + the loss taken on the non dream piano.
Last edited by pianoloverus; 02/01/14 10:41 PM.
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PLU - Of what are you disagreeing?
It seems that you and Ed agree, but he was more poetic.
My comment, near the top of the thread was: "Life is short!"
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
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All good advice.
If you elect to buy the BB or S&S now:
It pays to think ahead. What may go hand-in-hand with multiple moves due to job transfer is renting an apartment while looking for a house, and renovations, if required. For some this has meant storing their grand piano during the process. If such is the case, be certain that the storage facility is climate controlled at an appropriate level for a piano. This means CH&A plus humidity control (42% is ideal). The added costs here are not too bad - but are vital to the maintenance of a healthy piano.
In tandem with employing a qualified L&B piano mover, risk should be minimal.
Best wishes.
Last edited by bkw58; 02/02/14 09:38 AM. Reason: typos
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1. Is it better to purchase a high-end grand now, knowing full well that I will *definitely* have to move it at least twice, or 2. Is it better to purchase a less expensive grand with a view towards selling it after I "settle down" knowing full well that I will *definitely* be less than thrilled with it while I've got it? If you buy a lessor grand, and plan to sell it after you settle down, then you're going to pay to move the lessor one anyway, so the cost of moving rationales are essentially moot (i.e. you pay to move either one), but the cost of your dream piano will likely increase (unless you buy second hand). It seems your real question is can your dream piano stand up to the hazards associated with frequent moves and temporary storage, and the answer to that is "yes" if done properly. I spent years in a similar situation: always going to where the work was, and moving around every 6 to 18 months. I kept a home in my hometown, but it often went unheated or uncooled. So I delayed a lot of things I wanted: a dog, a piano, etc. Considered getting a digital piano along the way, but didn't. My advice: live your dream now. You never know where you'll be or how your plans will roll out.
Last edited by Retsacnal; 02/02/14 03:34 PM. Reason: Typo
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