DAVID ESTEY PIANO SERVICE
All Pianos and Player Pianos Rebuilt, Refinished, Tuned, Bought and Sold
1-800-ON A PIANO (662-7426)
183 Monroe St , Passaic, NJ
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Decker Brothers, 9 foot Beautiful Mahogany Concert Grand, Built in the late 1800's #21622 (1892)
Piano is located in a private home in Central New Jersey. This is a customer of mine who Is moving on to a Mason and Hamlin Grand, and would like to sell this one.
I think the case and carvings speak for themselves. The mahogany has a very "wild" pattern to it - absolutely beautiful! The brand new bench shown is included. It opens to store music, and is made of Solid Mahogany, Chippendale style, ball and claw foot, with carving and detail all around it. This is a reproduction, very well made and retails for as much as $1400.00. As you can see, it compliments the piano quite nicely.
A magnificent piano with a rich deep bass that you would expect from a concert piano of this vintage. The action parts (hammers, shanks, flanges and whippens) were replaced, and the work performed was done expertly only a few years ago - Including replacement of the strings and pinblock, damper felts, refinished and reparied soundboard. The bridges are in excellent condition. These older pianos are very difficult to work with, and pose many challenges that were faced with expertise, experience, creativity and and professionalism. What more can you ask for? If I were to critisize something, I would have replaced the damper guide rail bushings and the key bushings - but on a job this size, thats a rave review.
The piano also has a humidity control system- an EXCELLENT addition to any piano. This system insures that the soundboard remains at 42% humidity at all times, which is perfect for any piano. It also says loud and clear that the present owner cares about the instrument, and has maintained it to the highest standards. This is a VERY IMPORTANT factor when buying a piano.
This concert grand is not as efficient to the touch as the new concert grand pianos are, but few pianists would have a problem with this piano.
There is also a hairline scratch in one of the white keys- I took photos of it but it was not picked up by the camera.
WHY SHOULD I BUY A PIANO FROM A REGISTERED PIANO TECHNICIAN? By far, this is the safest place to buy. We do not exaggerate about the condition, inside or out. Many well intentioned, wonderful people who are honest sellers (with no piano expertise) will tell you “it just needs a tuning”, or focus on a few cosmetic problems the piano may have. I have examined countless pianos where a more accurate description would be “it just needs $15,000 -$62,000 worth of restoration” to be a reliable instrument. Cosmetics are the least of your worries when buying a used piano. You must look at a piano from the inside out. Your first concern is the Belly – the Strings, Tuning pins, and Pin block, Plate, Soundboard and Bridges. Will the piano hold a tune to concert pitch? If the belly is in good shape, it will. Your next concern is the Action – are the parts, mostly the leather and felt- worn? Can they be reconditioned? Do they need replacement? Is it out of regulation (10-20 adjustments per note)? Cosmetics come last. Do you like the case design? Is the finish in good condition? Is the veneer intact?
ALL Shipping costs are solely the responsibility of the buyer. I can provide estimated shipping costs to continental USA, but any costs or arrangements beyond our boarders must be researched by you.
Thank you for looking at this piano. Please feel free to contact us with any piano questions you may have.
David Estey, R.P.T.