Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum 2002 Bosendorfer 214 Strauss Pyramid Mahogany

Hi all. I have the opportunity to purchase a the referenced Bosendorfer for 30k from a private party. It's an absolute stunning instrument and while I can't have my tech look at it (he's unavailable), I'm wondering if I should just go head with the purchase. The tech who tuned the piano for sale mentioned the block is tight, has no obvious defects, maintains a sweet sound and sustain throughout the registers. I played the piano and his thoughts on the sound was exact. Hammers have almost zero wear (still the original), light corrosion as it's in the Santa Cruz area of California.

I'm a pretty decent pianist and have been looking at pianos for 15 years. While I can't open the fallboard and inspect the action, is are there any major defects that should be aware/beware of that would escape a performer's eye/ear?

One note-the piano does have a PianoDisc player system on it and seems to have affected the touch a bit. Not the smooth Bosendorfer touch I'm used too but not bad.

Do 2002 Bosendorfers really go for just 30k?

Exactly! If it were me I’d find another technician to inspect it. Sounds somewhat fishy to me. It would be a fabulous deal if it’s for real.

USD$30,000 sounds about right to me, as almost everything of consequence costs more here. A few years after this piano was made, I bought a car here in Sydney for $AUD135,000. It cost some SoCal car forum members USD$65,000 for the same spec.

This piano costs around AUD$150k here, but I didn’t try bargaining at the time so I have no idea how much you could actually buy it for.

I agree with those recommending you get another highly qualified tech to inspect the piano. The tech who has been servicing the piano might have a conflict of interest. You could also ask the tech you get about the action that you feel is not quite as good as the typical Boesendorfer and see if that can be rectified. The touch that you feel is not ideal might be due to the player installation but it could be something else.

A new Strauss model in pyramid mahogany has an SMP of 225K so the selling price seems very good if the piano is in excellent condition and you like it. OTOH it might be a mistake to buy it just be the price is so low, especially since the touch seems less than optimal to you.

That is an amazing deal. I purchased a 1999 Bösendorfer 225 Strauss model in pyramid mahogany from California six years ago, for significantly more (it's the most beautiful piano I've seen in my life, and I was told by multiple people that I got a great deal on it). Perhaps the sellers are very motivated to sell.

If you won't lose the purchase by delaying, I'd recommend that you get a second opinion from a different tech.

The Strauss decor is available on different lengths, no? Which doesn't mean that $30k isn't an excellent deal. But maybe less crazy than if OP were being offered an Imperial.

I'd advise having it inspected by someone who represents you and your interests.

Things that sound too good to be true usually are. And even if it's in the right price range, 30k is still a significant amount to put at risk. An inspection is a relatively small price to pay for peace of mind.

I am loving this piano and this would be my lifetime instrument. I am concerned about the Pianodisc player system affecting the action (and a hole in the belly of the instrument). Does the player system affect the action? If removed, can I get back the factory specs on the action of is it forever altered? I know the hole in the belly will always be there but how big is that opening for the player system? After reading through another user's dilemma with the player system, I am wary.

Strauss's personal Bösendorfer came up for auction here a few years ago. It was ebonized. I think it sold for about $30,000.

Wow! I'll have to look that up.

The length of this Strauss model is known as is the SMP for a new Strauss of similar length.

In a similar situation the concerns I had would delay any commitment on my part until I had the instrument thoroughly inspected by a reliable, independent technician.

Your action depends upon how much of a risk factor your concerns involve. Even at the "bargain" price of $30,000.00, I would not want an instrument - with that name on the fallboard and all that it stands for - that was compromised in any way.

Regards,

I open the fall board on my Bösendorfer and remove the action whenever I feel like it for cleaning. It’s simple. Have whoever s selling it do it in front of you. It takes less than three minutes. If it plays fine you probably won’t find anything wrong,

Usually a slot is cut for the player solenoid rail and the trap work (pedals) have to be altered to work with the player system. An independent technician can tell you to what extent regulation might improve the feel of this piano. At nearly 20 years old, if the regulation hasn't ever been touched up, it will definitely need it. The quality of aftermarket player system installation and performance tends to vary, from what I've heard and read from others in the know.