Pianotech

I recently inspected a '75 Yamaha U2 that a client was interested in purchasing. This piano had a dozen or so chalked tuning pins that I verified were loose. Also, some of the butt center pins had creeped out enough to result in wobbly hammers. And a few of the keys just sounded dead for no perceptible reason. This piano was toast. Then I took a look at the back side. The photo below illustrates what I found. I do not recall ever seeing this type of soundboard repair before. Weirdly, the owner thought their piano was wonderful and had no idea to its condition - or else they were just hoping for an unsuspecting buyer.  I told the client to look elsewhere for a piano.  3K - NO WAY.
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Randy Prentice
Tucson AZ
520-749-3788
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There is no picture.

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Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
St. Augustine, FL 32095
Tnrwim@aol.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-08-2021 18:02
From: Randy Prentice
Subject: Soundboard caulk

I recently inspected a '75 Yamaha U2 that a client was interested in purchasing. This piano had a dozen or so chalked tuning pins that I verified were loose. Also, some of the butt center pins had creeped out enough to result in wobbly hammers. And a few of the keys just sounded dead for no perceptible reason. This piano was toast. Then I took a look at the back side. The photo below illustrates what I found. I do not recall ever seeing this type of soundboard repair before. Weirdly, the owner thought their piano was wonderful and had no idea to its condition - or else they were just hoping for an unsuspecting buyer.  I told the client to look elsewhere for a piano.  3K - NO WAY.

       ​

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Randy Prentice
Tucson AZ
520-749-3788
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Another reason to hire a tech to inspect a possible purchase. They could of at least used a better caulking. Unfortunately the next person to respond will think its a bargain. You have to wonder what trouble the piano has seen. 6 loose tuning pins and center pin walkout are other red flags as are dead playing notes. Maybe it was a flood piano ? I have seen lots of those "wonderful"   pianos .

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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-08-2021 18:59
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Soundboard caulk

There is no picture.

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Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
St. Augustine, FL 32095
Tnrwim@aol.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-08-2021 18:02
From: Randy Prentice
Subject: Soundboard caulk

I recently inspected a '75 Yamaha U2 that a client was interested in purchasing. This piano had a dozen or so chalked tuning pins that I verified were loose. Also, some of the butt center pins had creeped out enough to result in wobbly hammers. And a few of the keys just sounded dead for no perceptible reason. This piano was toast. Then I took a look at the back side. The photo below illustrates what I found. I do not recall ever seeing this type of soundboard repair before. Weirdly, the owner thought their piano was wonderful and had no idea to its condition - or else they were just hoping for an unsuspecting buyer.  I told the client to look elsewhere for a piano.  3K - NO WAY.

       ​

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Randy Prentice
Tucson AZ
520-749-3788
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