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Hello.

So my search for the piano continues with no words from Petro IV owner - I assume they are not interested in selling at this point.
In the meantime, I found a 1979 Steinway model M on the market and am planning to go and check it out. Before doing so, I wanted to reach the experts here again to gain some insights.

The seller said the Teflon is all taken out and the soundboard was updated 10 yrs ago.
I asked for any document that lists exact jobs done at that time to understand what the issue of the soundboard could have been. The seller will try to get the details but does not seem to have it now.

So.. I am just thinking to go and feel and hear the piano for now. But is there something I should be particularly checking when I see the piano considering the age and the work done to the piano? The seller posted it at $26K without appraisal.

Thank you!

If you like the way the piano plays, get whatever documentation you can from the seller And then schedule an Independent tech inspection.

I'm not sure a 40-year-old Steinway M is worth $26k, Teflon or no. My inclination would be to shop around. You can probably find something better (and larger) for a similar or even lower price. Other brands can offer better value for the money in your price range.

Take anything a private seller says with a grain of salt. Most private sellers have no idea about the true condition or value of their pianos.

I suggest that you read Larry Fine's excellent Piano Book about buying a used piano; there's a detailed chapter about what to look for including a checklist. Then inspect the piano yourself. Then, if you like what you see, have your own technician inspect the piano before you make any kind of offer.

As for establishing a fair market value, you can use Larry Fine's guide How Much Is It Worth? and even use PianoBuyer's Seller Advisory Service (and it's best to have a technician's report for that).

Note, I have no relationship to Larry Fine or pianobuyer.com and am in no way compensated for recommending it. It's just an excellent resource.

"Soundboard is updated" is pretty nebulous, and if something was done could have involved other work being needed. For example, if you're going to just shim and refinish the soundboard, you're going to restring...and while you're doing that, maybe recap the bridges...and while you're there, maybe replace the damper felts, and possibly the pin block...and down the rabbit hole we go!

Because we don't know the scope of work done, nor how well it was done, it becomes hard to assign a value to it from across the internet.

But all the research won’t tell you whether you will like the sound or the playing experience to even consider if you want to pay for the piano tech inspection. Why would you go through all the hassle of researching Steinway M value and depreciation if you don’t like the piano in the first place?

Thank you all for your insights.
That is kind of what I am thinking too. So I am going to feel and hear it myself tomorrow to see if I even want to do much more thinking and researching about it.
I was a bit concerned about the soundboard update because I wasn't sure what that really means. But first and foremost, I will have to like it enough to consider anything further seriously. Thanks @Pianosearcher, for the resources you shared. I will take a look at the chapter you suggested.

And for the point of @violarules, I also have some doubts about the age of the piano and how well it could compare. I just saw a video from YouTube on why new pianos may be the way to go if I am looking for touch and action and stuff, which I have been struggling with as I have tried some used pianos.

Thinking about that price for a 1979 Steinway M...

I remember a couple of years ago I visited one of the piano shops in the area. If I mentioned this store by name, everyone would recognize it instantly as one of the top shops on the East Coast, if not the entire US. In that very store, they had a 2006 Mason AA. The thing was fantastic; voicing, regulation, everything; one of the finest pianos I laid my hands on that day and there were many top-tier instruments to choose from.

They were asking $22k with a warranty for that Mason AA.

Not sure how this is related to the price of the Steinway M
Yes, if you don’t want a Steinway, there are many good options. But if you want a Steinway, then the price of a Steinway is the only consideration. ..Steinway Pianos will not necessarily correspond to other brands. We all have different preferences and some of those preferences can be non-negotiable

I didn't mean to hijack the thread, only to demonstrate that it is possible to find a highly satisfying, musical piano from a reputable dealer that does not cost as much as this Steinway M from a private seller.

By all means, shop around and buy the piano you fall in love with (that checks out by a tech).

Did you buy the M&H AA?

I'm finding that the Mason and Hamlin AA (one of my favorites) has a serious flaw. There are not enough bolts to support the pinblock in the field. And the pinblock goes quite far in front of the pins unsupported. With the flange cast at a steep angle, the strings pull the pinblock down and cause the pins to hit the front of the hole. I was able to fix this by adding 6 more screws closer to the agraffes.
-chris

I would have if it would have been prudent financially, but we had just bought a new house, still had a car payment, etc. Life. What can I say?

That’s the same thoughts that made me not buy the gorgeous Bosendorfer 214VC I tried a year ago. Oh well. It is a thrill to know there are pianos like that.

Have you spoken with M & H about this?

Based on what I've seen, $26k for a Steinway M that has been refurbished well is not a bad deal. Yes, you can find used very nice M&H's, Baldiwn's, etc. at a better price point, but a Steinway does usually bring more money just because of the name. Just make sure it checks out!

It was a pre- tension resonator MHAA. So i am assuming that it got recognized and fixed. Not sure though.
-chris

I thought M& H always had a tension resonator. Can you please clarify?

Mason and Hamlin made pianos before the Tension resonator.

Yes, pre-1900. Resonator were used after that date. Didn’t realize you would be working on something that vintage.