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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 12
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 12 |
Hello Everyone:
I've unfortunately been missing for awhile... so would like to say Hello again!
I've been unable to play well since last April due to a left hand injury I suffered (mallet finger on the DUI joint of the left pinky finger), and need to have additional corrective surgery for it, Unfortunately the splint provided by the initial orthopedist I visited did not heal the injury correctly, so still have the condition. Surgery is later this year.
At any rate, I was presented with an opportunity to purchase a 1991 (?) 5"9' Webber Piano (Young Chang?) for $1500.00
I do not know the model but the Seriel Number starts with G ******. .
The piano was purchased by the original owner in the early nineties and used for a short time for piano lessons by her child. However, it was not used past then and has sat pretty much as a piece of furniture since and has not been tuned or otherwise maintained. It looks brand new inside and out. I have read that not maintaining a piano can cause problems with the tuning block etc among other things. So, the piano may not hold it's tuning. It has been kept in a usual climate indoors. I have also heard that Young Chang's build quality at the time was not stellar and was ranked on the 4th tier of pianos manufactured then.
The person selling it is asking $1,500 - I do not know if I should purchase it (sight unseen) before someone else does or pass. I will not have time to have this inspected by a piano tuner etc.
I previously had a 5"9' K. Kawai in the mid 80's that I stupidly sold for a portion of what I paid. I wanted to purchase something that had the same build quality and sound as that one.
So should I hold off to buy a Kawai or go in for this? I have no idea what a used or new 5"9' Kawai would cost.... although I hear the Shigeru Kawai are very expensive and excellent quality instruments. I even came across a Piano Retailer that rebuilds Kawai piano's for resale exclusively. I have to see if I can locate their name again!
Also need to know what a piano move should cost (about a 1 hour distance - a few stairs).
Thank you for your input. As I only have a couple of days max to decide I wanted to post here as soon as possible.
It's nice to be back in the Piano World Community!
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 14,305
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
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Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 14,305 |
I wouldn't purchase sight-unseen, but $1500 is not a lot of money, if you're willing to take a flyer...it's no Kawai, but it's not exactly awful...Go look and you'll have a better idea of what you want to do. There are several posts on the board about how to check out things on a used instrument by yourself.
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 724
500 Post Club Member
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500 Post Club Member
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Posts: 724 |
$1500 sounds like a good deal but only if you like the piano. I would go check it out and not buy it sight-unseen.
How did you mess up your finger?
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 12
Junior Member
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OP
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 12 |
Hello and thanks for the replies. I messed up my finger tucking in my tee-shirt. I jammed my finger against my belt. I wish I could say it was caused by something not as stupid. I now have to have the two bones of the DUI joint fused together. Hopefully following the surgery, I will be able to position my left hand for chords and scale runs normally.
By the way Jolly is there a huge difference between Kawai and Young Chang from that era? And if u know, what would be a good price on a new Kawai of that size? Thanks for ur previous responses.
Last edited by Caravan158; 06/02/17 03:55 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 14,305
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A really nice KG-2 Kawai of that vintage will carry around a $10k sticker price.
I'm guessing the Weber is a 5'7", not a 5'9". If so, they are a Korean made, fairly decent sounding piano. I do think that vintage will have the Young Chang action bracket problem possibly crop up (you can do a search on that here). But guys who were in the biz at that time are certainly welcome to correct me. 😀
If you like the piano, $1500 is not a lot of money to gamble.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,633
1000 Post Club Member
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1000 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,633 |
Yes, that vintage falls into the Young Chang action bracket problem era.
Eric Gloo Piano Technician Certified Dampp-Chaser Installer Richfield Springs, New York
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Joined: May 2017
Posts: 18
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I just had my 1985 Kawai KG-2D delivered today here in NJ. I paid $375 for the move. Only stairs in and out were those leading to the front door. Travel distance was about 35 miles and 45 mins. My piano is in very good condition but does have a hairline crack in the soundboard. Crack doesn't seem to effect the sound of the piano.Tech is coming tomorrow to clean and lubricate the action, clean the soundboard, voice it and give it a good check.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 16,105
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I just had my 1985 Kawai KG-2D delivered today here in NJ. I paid $375 for the move. Only stairs in and out were those leading to the front door. Travel distance was about 35 miles and 45 mins. My piano is in very good condition but does have a hairline crack in the soundboard. Crack doesn't seem to effect the sound of the piano.Tech is coming tomorrow to clean and lubricate the action, clean the soundboard, voice it and give it a good check. Congratulations on the Kawai KG-2! They are great pianos! Post pictures when you can. Enjoy! Rick
Piano enthusiast and amateur musician: "Treat others the way you would like to be treated". Yamaha C7. YouTube Channel
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 4,677
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4000 Post Club Member
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In my limited experience, one seldom goes wrong with a Kawai.
Currently working towards "Twinkle twinkle little star"
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,864
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4000 Post Club Member
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The price of the Weber is low - a bit too low. A good Weber is just average at best - a starter piano - not close to a Kawai. As mentioned, it might have replaced action brackets, a repair that doesn't always go well. If you don't like it, you should be able to sell it for more than $1500 - so risk is limited.
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
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Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
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