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I started out wanting to restore a 100 year or so Steinway B for 20k. Now I want to buy a piano that I know will sound good and my search has led me to a Yamaha C3. Specifically one from 1978 selling for $11,000 after taxes and delivery.

Is this a fair price you would pay for a 40 year old C3? It has a lifetime trade up

No.

For reference:

There's a 2005 C7 on PianoMart.com right now for $21,500.00, a 1980s-ish C5 on Houston's Craigslist for $12,500.00.

I wouldn't pay more than $6000,00 for a 1970s C3.

If $11,000.00 is your budget ceiling, you might like to try a new Brodmann or Ritmuller.

I looked at two C3's recently at dealers in the Seattle area. One was a 2006 and listed for $14,900. The other was from the 90's (I forgot to write down the exact date) and was not in as good a shape and was listed for $12,999. This was list price and there was definitely negotiation room. This also didn't include tax or delivery so you'd add 9% and about $400. The former had lifetime trade up as well, not sure about the latter.

So, if the piano is in good shape, it doesn't seem like a ridiculous price. Maybe see if you can wiggle the price or maybe get some extras like free tuning and a bench.

Sorry, I mean a newer Brodmann or Ritmuller above.

You didn't indicate:
- whether this is a private or dealer sale (lifetime trade up does suggest a dealer sale)
- if dealer, what is the reputation? any kind of warranty (doubtful on a 40-year old piano, depending on condition)
- the condition of the piano (condition is everything in a used piano)
- maintenance history (if there is one)
- local market demands

These determine the selling price, so it's hard to say whether this is a good price. A 40-year old piano could be a candidate for considerable work, or may have some serviceable life left if well cared for.

Nor did you say whether or not you like the touch and tone of the piano - presuming that you have already tried it.

Regards,

It’s a dealer well known in this area for their high end pianos like Bosendorfer. Piano is in ok condition with hammers been filed already.

I don’t know if putting these 6 foot grands in my small living space is in my best interest. Maybe I’d be happier with a U3 or similar.

In other news there are some Steinway “S” restored going for $7-8k

It's easy to say the price for the 1978 C3 is too high. But the Yamaha C series grands are generally well thought of among the piano playing community and hold their value very well. It may or may not be worth the price.

Only a qualified piano tech could tell you for sure how good a condition it's in and advise you on the price. If you really like it you could always try and negotiate the price further or just keep looking until you find a piano you like along with the price. There is a happy medium between the two (piano and price).

I was fortunate to find a 1978 Yamaha C7 being sold by a Church that went to all digital pianos. I'd rather not say what I paid for it publicly (in case I ever decide to sell it, which is not likely ) but I paid less than what the dealer is offering you the 1978 C3 for. But that does not mean the C3 is not worth it. Something is worth what a buyer is willing to pay and seller willing to sell for...

Good luck!!

Rick

When I was looking, last year, I tried a nice 1990 C3 for 12K, 1992 G3 for 10K, decent 1980 C3 for 7.5K and a 2001 C3 for 15K. The '90 and '80 C3's were from private sellers and the rest from dealers.

Of course, the Yamaha C3 grand pianos are known for its high quality engineering and they are meant for professional piano performances. It is an instrument which matches the requirements of all the level of piano players. I think the company will not give you the life time trade up and as of my knowledge it is only for 5 years for the grand pianos and 7 years for the acoustic pianos. If you are in search of the pianos with the life time warranty you can find many other brands like Bosendorfer, Estonia, Mason and Hamlin. In Yamaha you can also find the Yamaha home digital piano with the better features and it is an acoustic instrument.

Everything depends on the condition of the piano. 40 years is quite old for any piano, but at the same time there are good examples of older Kawai and Yamaha pianos still in professional service, with minimal technical work done on them - perhaps new strings, hammers and damper felts.

A piano that has had minimal home use will be in better condition, but one thing I have noticed in these older Yamahas is that the bass tone tends to get a little dumpy sounding and lacking in sustain. At worst it would require a new set of bass strings if this has happened.

Is this price too high? I don't know. I know that in the UK one could expect to pay anything from £7000 to £12,000 for a Yamaha C3 of that age. The higher price would indicate better condition and perhaps some replaced parts.

No piano makes have lifetime warranties.

I've suggested this before and followed my own advice. Piano Outlet in Coral Springs, FL offers an amazing price/quality relationship being that they source used pianos directly from Japan and run a lean business model. I just checked their website and they happen to have a couple of C3s right now. One is 1992 and $12,500 (including new strings), the other is 1979 with new bass strings for $8,500. First time I spoke with Russell, he told me the 1992 I eventually bought was like new because hardly played, I expected it to be typical sales talk... but it turned out to be accurate. My very experienced piano tech confirmed. Might be worth getting on a plane to check the place out. Russell is a fabulous pianist so maybe you could get him to do a Skype-like demo with your first.

Sorry if I sound like a "fan-girl" but like finding a great restaurant, I really just want to share my little discovery.

Respectfully, by definition a Yamaha home digital piano is NOT an acoustic instrument.

This 1978 C3 is not going to last much longer without much
work done on it .You have to decide if it is OK if it only lasts another 20 years perhaps a bit more if you are lucky .
You could but a new upright for that price .

That you could. A really nice, brand-new U3. Probably even in mahogany if you like. It would give you decades of worry-free musical pleasure. No such guarantee with a 40 year old instrument.

Too much for a 1978 C3!
I think the right price should be 7/800$.
Wonderful instrument in any case