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I need some advice/help. I have played for 35 years and am looking to upgrade pianos. I currently have a Hallet Davis, would like to have a studio or baby grand. I found a beautiful Story & Clark studio on Craig's List that came from a church. They sent me pics on request of soundboard, hammers, keys, etc. It looks like a great deal and coming from a church I'm sure its been well cared for. My problem is it is 7 1/2 hours away from me in the middle of Nebraska!! I am in NW Iowa, so I can't just jump in the car and go play it. Can anyone tell me about the action/touch of these pianos or any other advice re: this piano? They are only asking $250. It is the style I want, and I would really love to have it, just unsure what to do, since I have only seen pics and talked to someone (not very knowledgable) over the phone. Thanks!!!

Contrary to your thinking, pianos do not generally hold up well in churches. The swings in humidity are much greater than in a home. The fact that they are asking only $250 leads me to believe that you should pass on this one.

If your heart is set on pursuing it, engage a piano tuner near the church to evaluate the instrument. Post the results here & you'll get some valuable feedback.

You can find a tuner at www.ptg.org.

Thank you Steve-definitely gives me something to think about!!

I would discourage any one no matter the price to not buy a piano sound unheard. You just don't know. And if this piano is as far away as you say the money you spend in gas and time if it is not what you think then it would be a big push for what?

When buying used you're substituting time for money. Keep your eye on the Craigslist site for Iowa and also try to locate dealers. There's a list of dealers in Iowa here, below the featured ads.

Sellers' opinions of condition can contain elements of sentiment and ignorance. The best used piano money that you can spend is that spent for a prepurchase inspection by an experienced tech who has no affiliation with the seller. The time to spend the money for an inspection is when you've identified a piano that you really want.

Patience and persistence.

i drove 7.5 hours to look at a piano and bought it.

Listen to Steve. Churches generally don't get rid of pianos until they are pretty well shot and they can justify buying a new one. Stay more local and eventually you will see a decent deal closer to you.

They are getting rid of it because they are going digital (?)

I hope you were planning on driving a truck out to pick it up yourself in that an interstate piano mover would charge you 4 times the cost of the piano. I would heed everyone's advice and find somethinng local.

I think he said he bought it.

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Rick Aquino
Worldwide Piano
www.worldwidepianostores.com