In the Market for A Steinway?
Welcome to this week’s blog.
We're circling back to the topic of my Steinway baby grand. As many of you know, it's been a cherished member of our family but now needs to find a new home. Today’s blog is all about the nitty gritty details so you can comfortably mention it to friends and family or anyone you know who’s looking for a beautiful used Steinway.
Model L: A Quick History
Firstly, a bit about its lineage. It’s a Steinway baby grand Model L, proudly stamped with the serial number 232689. Introduced in 1924, the Model L continues to be a favorite among amateur and professional musicians, renown for it’s tone, volume and touch. The “L” model was discontinued in 2005 to make way for the Model M, but families and professionals still seek the “L” because of its unparalleled craftsmanship.
How did this particular piano find its way to us? My Dad bought it second hand when we moved to San Francisco from Paris in 1971. One of the most appealing things about this particular beauty is that it's had pride of place in my parents living room since 1971. That’s 52 years!
What Condition Is It In?
If you know anyone who might be interested in buying it, it’s critical for them to know all about it’s current condition. Here’s the nitty-gritty:
Color and Finish: A rich mahogany that’s polished to perfection. There is sun damage along the left side due to its placement next to a window for many years.
Keys: Original ivory. No chips or damage.
Action: There is verdigris in the treble section which causes sluggishness in the keys. Parts may need to be replaced.
Lid Hinge: One of the lid hinges lost its pin, but a temporary replacement holds it safely in place.
Sound Board: No cracks or visible damage.
Underside: No cracks or visible damage. I couldn’t find it but there may be a signature or the name of the original builder on the underside.
Professional Inspection:
I consulted Christopher Ris, of Ris Piano, a Steinway specialist who’s been restoring pianos in the Bay Area since 1973. We did a thorough FaceTime examination, and he was pleased with what he saw. The original keys, soundboard, and the underside are in great shape. No cracks, nicks, chips or visible damage.
If you want a closer look, watch a short video clip HERE to see the piano from various angles.
Interested? Pricing Details:
For those of you in or connected to the Bay Area, my asking price is $9K. Jump onto Piano Mart, eBay or the Facebook marketplace and you’ll see Steinways listed for between $15K and $45K. These prices aren’t just because of the Steinway name. They are due to the unparalleled quality, craftsmanship and musical brilliance that the brand delivers. My list price of $9K is a fantastic value and takes into consideration the fact that you’ll have to pay to move it and tune it once it’s in your home. Those are separate costs, in addition to the asking price of $9K, that you’ll need to cover.
Next steps:
If you're interested in buying it or know someone who might be interested, contact me directly at anne@annelafollette.com. We’ll arrange for you to come see it and play it before making your decision. I’m selling it “as is” and as I mentioned, you’ll need to cover the cost of moving it and it will need to be tuned once it’s in your home.
I look forward to hearing from you. I’m confident that it’s going to find the perfect home soon and bring great joy to the family or musician that buys it.
As an FYI, I’m traveling to my favorite mastermind meeting this week so my weekly Wednesday live chat is cancelled. I’ll be back next week and hope to see you then.
xo,
Anne
Explore Surface Pattern Design by downloading my free ebook HERE.
Have fun and I’ll see you next week.
Remember,
It’s Never Too Late to Create®
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MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation. I grew up in Paris on the Place St. Sulpice and walked to school through the Luxembourg gardens. And that was only the beginning… Learn more by watching the video on my About page.
