Pianotech

Greetings everyone.  I am a new Piano Technician and my church asked for my advice.  A newer Yamaha Grand (GC1) was donated to the church by a widowed member.  The church currently has an old Wurlitzer Grand (C173HPE) which is beautiful, and to look at it no one would believe when it was manufactured (probably 1930s). Both pianos are the same size, however they currently have room for only one Piano on stage.  I suggest keeping the new Piano (Probably a no brainer) however l would still like to have more professional opinions.
Best Regards 
-Brian

Greetings everyone.  I am a new Piano Technician and my church asked for my advice.  A newer Yamaha Grand (GC1) was donated to the church by a widowed member.  The church currently has an old Wurlitzer Grand (C173HPE) which is beautiful, and to look at it no one would believe when it was manufactured (probably 1930s). Both pianos are the same size, however they currently have room for only one Piano on stage.  I suggest keeping the new Piano (Probably a no brainer) however l would still like to have more professional opinions.
Best Regards
-Brian

Hi Brian,

Welcome! In answer to your question, I would get the opinions of a few people and take a vote. The pianist and music director for starters. Is it possible to set up both pianos in the same room and do a side by side comparison? What you're looking for is two things. One, which piano feels good and sounds better in that room. Two, the overall condition of them. Which is going to hold up better over time?

If you can get feedback from the involved people on the first and then come up with your own assessment for the second, that should give you a good idea of which direction you want to move. I have a feeling both you and they will agree, but if not, it could be a good chance for you to explain some of the technical things to people who've never heard them before. 

Good luck!

Greetings everyone.  I am a new Piano Technician and my church asked for my advice.  A newer Yamaha Grand (GC1) was donated to the church by a widowed member.  The church currently has an old Wurlitzer Grand (C173HPE) which is beautiful, and to look at it no one would believe when it was manufactured (probably 1930s). Both pianos are the same size, however they currently have room for only one Piano on stage.  I suggest keeping the new Piano (Probably a no brainer) however l would still like to have more professional opinions.
Best Regards
-Brian

The Wurlitzer model number you referenced indicates a Korean built Samick product, most likely from the last quarter of the 20th century.

Hi Brian,

Welcome! In answer to your question, I would get the opinions of a few people and take a vote. The pianist and music director for starters. Is it possible to set up both pianos in the same room and do a side by side comparison? What you're looking for is two things. One, which piano feels good and sounds better in that room. Two, the overall condition of them. Which is going to hold up better over time?

If you can get feedback from the involved people on the first and then come up with your own assessment for the second, that should give you a good idea of which direction you want to move. I have a feeling both you and they will agree, but if not, it could be a good chance for you to explain some of the technical things to people who've never heard them before. 

Good luck!

Greetings everyone.  I am a new Piano Technician and my church asked for my advice.  A newer Yamaha Grand (GC1) was donated to the church by a widowed member.  The church currently has an old Wurlitzer Grand (C173HPE) which is beautiful, and to look at it no one would believe when it was manufactured (probably 1930s). Both pianos are the same size, however they currently have room for only one Piano on stage.  I suggest keeping the new Piano (Probably a no brainer) however l would still like to have more professional opinions.
Best Regards
-Brian

The Wurlitzer model number you referenced indicates a Korean built Samick product, most likely from the last quarter of the 20th century.

Hi Brian,

Welcome! In answer to your question, I would get the opinions of a few people and take a vote. The pianist and music director for starters. Is it possible to set up both pianos in the same room and do a side by side comparison? What you're looking for is two things. One, which piano feels good and sounds better in that room. Two, the overall condition of them. Which is going to hold up better over time?

If you can get feedback from the involved people on the first and then come up with your own assessment for the second, that should give you a good idea of which direction you want to move. I have a feeling both you and they will agree, but if not, it could be a good chance for you to explain some of the technical things to people who've never heard them before. 

Good luck!

Greetings everyone.  I am a new Piano Technician and my church asked for my advice.  A newer Yamaha Grand (GC1) was donated to the church by a widowed member.  The church currently has an old Wurlitzer Grand (C173HPE) which is beautiful, and to look at it no one would believe when it was manufactured (probably 1930s). Both pianos are the same size, however they currently have room for only one Piano on stage.  I suggest keeping the new Piano (Probably a no brainer) however l would still like to have more professional opinions.
Best Regards
-Brian

Greetings everyone.  I am a new Piano Technician and my church asked for my advice.  A newer Yamaha Grand (GC1) was donated to the church by a widowed member.  The church currently has an old Wurlitzer Grand (C173HPE) which is beautiful, and to look at it no one would believe when it was manufactured (probably 1930s). Both pianos are the same size, however they currently have room for only one Piano on stage.  I suggest keeping the new Piano (Probably a no brainer) however l would still like to have more professional opinions.
Best Regards
-Brian

While I do agree with you; the newer Yamaha is probably a much better choice, please re-check the serial number. C173HPE sounds like a model number (173 CM or 5' 6" High Polish Ebony).  You might have missed the serial number under the piano on the treble side or stamped on the soundboard.

Suggest that they sell the Wurlitzer in a church rummage sale or raffle.

Greetings everyone.  I am a new Piano Technician and my church asked for my advice.  A newer Yamaha Grand (GC1) was donated to the church by a widowed member.  The church currently has an old Wurlitzer Grand (C173HPE) which is beautiful, and to look at it no one would believe when it was manufactured (probably 1930s). Both pianos are the same size, however they currently have room for only one Piano on stage.  I suggest keeping the new Piano (Probably a no brainer) however l would still like to have more professional opinions.
Best Regards
-Brian

Blaine makes a good point. The Wurlitzer C173 is a model still being made in Asia by Wurlitzer's current owner, Gibson. If it has a high gloss finish it is much newer than you think and the serial number might not correspond to the old Wurlitzer serial number scheme.
Even so, I think I'd go with the Yamaha over an Asian knock off even if it is a little bit bigger.

While I do agree with you; the newer Yamaha is probably a much better choice, please re-check the serial number. C173HPE sounds like a model number (173 CM or 5' 6" High Polish Ebony).  You might have missed the serial number under the piano on the treble side or stamped on the soundboard.

Suggest that they sell the Wurlitzer in a church rummage sale or raffle.

Greetings everyone.  I am a new Piano Technician and my church asked for my advice.  A newer Yamaha Grand (GC1) was donated to the church by a widowed member.  The church currently has an old Wurlitzer Grand (C173HPE) which is beautiful, and to look at it no one would believe when it was manufactured (probably 1930s). Both pianos are the same size, however they currently have room for only one Piano on stage.  I suggest keeping the new Piano (Probably a no brainer) however l would still like to have more professional opinions.
Best Regards
-Brian