Top 5 Piano Scams You Need to Avoid

[@LivingPianosVideos]

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[@Gbuljba]

Not everybody in this world is honest and upright - some people are grand.

[@Juscz]

That's little console-ation.

[@Juscz]

Indeed, regardng the facts surrounding an issue such as this, so much comes down to how one chooses to spinet.

[@Juscz]

Not really... in fact, I'm really just trying to hold down the forte.

[@Juscz]

But, I protest, discontinuing the thread would lead to considerable dis-chord!

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

Gbuljba nice pun.

[@AnthonyB2351]

I had a Steinway once. I also had a Stradivarius. They were rubbish. I later learned that Steinway made lousy violins and Stradivarius didn't even make pianos.

[@pokerandphilosophy8328]

I once bought a Steinway banjo at an auction. Then my girlfriend told me Steinway makes pianos, not banjos. So, I think I got scammed.

[@JustMe-999a]

The least believable part is that you had a girlfriend.......

[@jayveeaurea9091]

You really did get scammed.

[@PiotrBarcz]

Definitely. They DO NOT make any other instruments other than pianos as far as I'm aware.

[@SunnyAustria]

Piotr Barcz Shure, they make Orchestral Stuff too ;-)

[@gregoryvanderpas4176]

Same thing happen to me but it was a Kazoo.

[@CrapLuckSimon]

So don't buy the Piano from this Nigerian prince?

[@michaeltsung9741]

no, no, it should be just fine. I mean why are so people so distrusting ??

[@andrewasonibare]

Haha. You're funny. I'm Nigerian and we get a bad rap. But we are - obviously - not all like that you know.

[@Mike1614b]

if you're a prince, please send money!

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

CrapLuckSimon The Nigerian prince is probably stuck in the piano and needs your debit card to get out and he will give you the piano as a bonus

[@PIANOSTYLE100]

Andrew Asonibare Yeah that's true. Unfortunately bad people don't mind using any bodies, name, company, nationality to defraud. i have received these comeons. Watch the Beverly hillbilly episode where a huckster sells a bridge to them.

[@lynniespringer1705]

He is Luke Skywalker's relative!

[@BicicIentiu]

hahaha lol, well pointed

[@MusicIsARainbow]

I was thinking the same!

[@imalamboman12]

Inconcievable

[@seanjackson5527]

THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE!!!!

[@IkanGelamaKuning]

Palpatine scammed his father to dark side

[@coolpianoschool]

You forgot the gray market piano scam where the seller refurbishes it and claims it is in new condition but sat unused in the living room for a few years. When issues such as sound board or pin block arise due to geographical humidity differences the maker will not back it due to its being gray market. This happened to me years back with a Yamaha U1.

[@myaanolover]

This needs to be pinned.

[@brilego125]

1. The Couple 0:47 2. Auction & Inspection 2:10 3. Steinert 4:18 4. Foreign Piano 6:14

[@MusicWithEmilyRose]

Wait that’s only 4

[@mr.martinez1603]

Why does this man look exactly like Mark hamill's used car salesman brother

[@dannyhao1080]

Once I went to buy a piano. The seller guy seemed nice, got to try it out, he even offered lessons in his shop & gave me an acoustic guitar. So I paid for the piano, some guys who supposedly were there to deliver the piano came by. I lived in an apartment then, so they were daunted by the stairs and the seller called to say "Can we put it in your garage? We'll come later to take it upstairs" Of course I refused, and I never heard from him again. Months later, finally got the money back through paypal. Even more months later, that guy ended up on the news as a piano scammer funnily

[@Me-xk1yg]

Wow, good thing you got the money back.

[@onumahobart8832]

Here's one to add to your list of 5 scams. And thankfully I didn't fall victim, but it was close. I was looking at used Steinways online. Someone offered a Steinway grand for free. The story was a wealthy relative had died leaving the estate and piano. They claimed nobody was interested in the piano and so they would give it away. After a few discussions with three different people I was asked to pay a shipping fee of $600 to ship a piano from Portland Oregon to Southern California. Doing the quick math I figured that with gas at $5 a gallon something wasn't adding up. I offered to pay for the shipping when the piano arrived but that was impossible. End of story, right?

[@robertgoodale7204]

Forgot to mention "Gray Market" pianos. Lots of pathetic stories of used Yamaha and Kawai pianos intended for the Asian market that are not seasoned for the North American climate. Works good for a year - maybe. Then the pins are loose, board and bridges cracking, among other problems.

[@ChernobieffPiano]

Here's one: A rebuilder telling the owner of a square grand piano that their square piano is worth $40,000 after its rebuilt. So they "invest" $9,000 to have it rebuilt. The problem- Good luck getting $40k.

[@jaynebennett2063]

Arthur Fiedler thought so much of a square grand piano that he had it made into a bar. True story. I would love to pick one up for cheap (and they truly aren’t worth anything) and make a desk out of it.

[@1cathexis]

A very noteworthy presentation. This info is key for piano shoppers. No soft pedaling what so ever. Covers all major and minor points and really struck a chord with me. Thanks!

[@amazing763]

Robert is sharp. He sustained my interest all the way through.

[@patrickcoyle4028]

@@amazing763 Definitely helpful for those of us Chopin around.

[@Mr850man]

looks like all the people on this thread are in tune with each other

[@jamesmcdunn]

Here are a couple of more piano scams: I saw an ad for a "Grand Piano"...Just one problem: It was a SPINET! I did see a piano at a GoodWill Store that SAID it was a Grand Piano but it was an Upright, but there it was, right there on the fallboard was the words "Grand Piano"!

[@franzjosephliszt1555]

*sadly not everyone is honest and **_upright_* I see what you did there

[@joestephens7105]

I know of this scam perpetrated in Houston. A family would advertise a brand new Kawai, which would retail for about $15K - they were asking about 8K - substantially below retail, but apparently in perfect condition and brand new. They demanded cash, and wanted the piano to be moved right away. My careful friend who got the serial # called the main Kawai retailer in Houston. Guess what? The Kawaii had been financed, and not a single payment had been made, and had been delivered to a different address. She reported the current address of the piano, and followed up. Guess what - the person had moved from that address - an apartment.

[@e.sren5]

Good one! 😀👍

[@kanal7523]

​@Chris Ruiz You are buying a piano that the seller doesn't own, and therefore you wouldn't own it by paying for it, so at any given time if someone contacted the police or Kawaii they would seize the piano (which would be highly unlikely I admit)

[@JoanKSX]

OMG

[@Jack-hy1zq]

The ONLY way to be sure about the piano you want to buy is to take a piano tuner with you. The End.

[@EightiesTV]

"Let me see your identification... We don't need to see his identification. These aren't the pianos we're looking for."

[@pianomanic71]

You forgot about the dealer or internet retailer that tells you a piano is "refurbished" when what they actually mean is it is used and has had some limited cosmetic work. This is very common in the Yamaha upright model U1 and U3 market.

[@Glock-dm5wt]

It's very common in general

[@dusseau13]

A friend of mine produces grand pianos and sells them for 250,000 each. Many stars including Stevie Wonder and Sir Elton have played his pianos at one time or another. A Chinese company is producing knockoffs and selling them in shows using copies of his literature and even his face on placards.

[@deborahblackvideoediting8697]

Unbelievable what some scammers will do! It must be so frustrating for your friend knowing this is happening.

[@Bonecrusher27WTF]

It's sad that there are really some unconscionable pieces of shit floating about out there. Thanks for this video!

[@garymcaleer6112]

"Last day of the sale" is the most common.

[@ronwilliams357]

Another scam is sellers of counterfeits will go to medium or larger cities and advertise "local college music department" selling off their name-brand pianos at a steep discount, and rent a hotel ballroom or vacant store for a weekend. They'll claim to be from one of the local colleges, and because they're not "retailers," their insistence on cash, cashiers check or western union might not seem as suspicious. They'll assure you that Steinway doesn't sound like a Steinway only because it's been used a lot and needs minor tuning and adjustments which should only cost a few hundred, but you're getting that near-new $50K Steinway for $15K after all. They'll say they don't care about price so much because they were donated and they're just trying to get rid of them because they have new donated pianos coming in the next week. Free delivery, you get it within hours, but by the time you've called the local piano tuner they refer you to, they're long gone, and the local college music department says they had nothing to do with it.

[@amazing763]

The other side of this, at the very low end, is used uprights. People ask me, "You know about pianos. What is my old upright worth?" (They have it on Craigslist and it's not even getting calls.) I tell 'em it's a $50 piano. "You mean it's only worth $50?" "No. It's worse than that. Maybe someone will pay you $50 for it. Or maybe you'll have to pay someone $50 to take it away."

[@NickHollis21]

True story: someone tried to sell me a Steinway grand for 2k dollars. This was before I didn't know much about pianos... But from what little knowledge I had at the time, I knew immediately it was a different piano. It wasn't the decal on the refinished fallboard saying "steinway and sons" it was the casting on the plate that said A.M. McPhail. Two completely different piano manufacturers. I compared the serial number and noticed that the piano would have been made in 1890. It's a modern design and action there was noway it could have been 1890. Please be careful when purchasing a steinway; have a technician inspect it first. Just because the fallboard decal says steinway doesn't always make it a steinway. The plate casting will ALWAYS have steinways name on it. Also, steinways grands keyslip is always doweled in the front with no screws. Simply pull it off and look for a serial number. Also, steinway prints their serial number on most of their pieces, (legs cheekblocks, soundboard, etc...)

[@sealand000]

They tried to sell you one grand for two grand? Definitely a scam!

[@gojewla]

I played on a McFail once. Yes, the name says it all!

[@wilsjane]

A lot of pianos are rebuilt and sometimes the re-builders add a different name to make it look more attractive. At the end of the day, the important thing is value for money, rather than a name. So long as you are fully aware of the situation, a well rebuilt piano can be a good purchase With the older wood, sound deterioration will also be slower than with a new instrument.

[@robertgentry9436]

I paid Steinway of Dallas on Oak Lawn to do an appraisal on a nice M model back in the 80s and they told me I shouldn't get it. Later, the owner called to let me know that they had bought it. I was too young and dumb to have known to sue the crap out of them for that total deception. Too late now.

[@russmaleartist]

How about what to look for in fraudulent piano repair?

[@LivingPianosVideos]

That could make a good topic for a future video. I will add it to our list. Thanks!

[@carltonhayes8074]

LivingPianosVideos benitez

[@maroni64]

Why you are saying Kohler & Campbell grand Piano is a cheap "poor" choice. I got $5000 budget and the grand piano that amazed me was 1995 6'1 Kohler & Campbell with perfect action, beautiful voice (very soft in touch) that beats about 6 different Yamahas in this showroom that I was. I spent an hour playing all the pianos and this particular one was by far the winner. Will I regret it?

[@fury3600]

"i don't know why i'm laughing about this". guy is reliving the good old days when these scams worked lol

[@gmwdim]

Great video! Very useful information, that's why it's so important to do your research on piano brands before buying. And I would never consider buying an instrument (like at an auction) without trying it first. Scams aside, there are plenty of genuine Steinways out there that are awful instruments due to poor maintenance.

[@praestant8]

gmwdim Like anything proper maintenance is crucial, but even a Steinway can develop problems due to environment and wear. One of the better deals to be had (which many technicians and piano rebuilders capitalize on) are the teflon era Steinways. Not easy for an unaltered one to be sold but a smart tech will snap them up, rebuild them without the teflon action parts, and sell them at top market value.

[@handsfree1000]

The force is strong with this one

[@kriswilson5305]

Yes! I thought he looked like someone and just couldn't put my finger on it.

[@joshbonner9409]

Peter Broadey 😂

[@Anonymous-kl2zy]

Piano makers in South Korea, China and Indonesia have used many names from the old American piano firms- Weber, Kohler & Campbell, George Steck, just to name a few. They are using these names as stencil names and are leading the public to believe that they are getting a certain kind of instrument when they are not. This practice is inherently dishonest, unethical, and is most definitely a scam. I don't care how often "German" hammers may be used, or how many so-called German or American scales or other designs are employed. It is NOT the same instrument, PERIOD. Those of us who are musicians know the difference. The fact that something is legal, does not make it right. If we want an American name, I say we build American and buy American!

[@soilmanted]

Unfortunately, Americans have decided to stop making pianos and to leave piano making to the Koreans, Japanese, Chinese, and Indonesians. Some of their instruments are very fine instruments too. But it would be nice if we could get back to building some fine instruments in the US. I believe there used to be 100's of companies building pianos in the US. Sadly, there are very few left. I think maybe there are 3 places in the US where pianos are still being constructed. There may be some US companies that design and market pianos with the pianos being actually made in the far east. While I understand how to make a piano, I don't have enough business knowledge to understand how to make a profit at it. If I did make a piano I would consider making a "historic" style without a cast iron plate, with lesser string tension, which would have a longer "singing" tone, combined with lower maximum loudness - but still with good dynamic range. A good woodworker could build a piano this way, by copying a historic design. Making a reliable cast iron plate is, however, quite an art in itself, that takes a bit of learning.

[@slacker697]

maybe Trump can bring back piano making back to the US like coal energy!

[@jerrytheracecardriver1100]

any mason and rische piano from after 1950 is a piece of shit from some chinese manufacturer who bought the name. Piano tuners often call them mason and risk because of how common it is to break a string when tuning

[@praestant8]

slacker697 That would be a neat trick indeed!

[@wilsjane]

The 'Trump' piano could have a fitted device to send you a tweet at 2-am every morning.

[@emilymcfadden4360]

Beware the scam of dealers who accept your trade in as colateral ( often with a 1000 dollar deposit) and put your new piano on " layaway". Later, when you go to pick up and pay off your piano, they have sold it out from underneath you, and claim your trade in has hidden faults, like a " cracked sound board". This happened to a friend of mine in Portland many years ago, dealing with a firm I' ll call in this venue " SC & Co." She retained a lawyer, and got her original trade in piano back, plus several thousand dollars in damages. Its called bait & switch, and violates laws in several states. In any event, get the serial number of the piano ( photo too) on the contract. And try to deal with established firms, but that is no guarantee, as my friend was burned by a 50 year old firm.

[@MrInitialMan]

One thing I've run into was a similar-sounding brand name. This was a Bass Trumpet, but I thought the brand name was "Selmer". It was actually "Selman". It sounded dreadful.

[@HemanLee]

I almost fell for another scam you did not mention, "Indian Piano Scam" on Craigslist. Seller poses as grieving widow can't bear the sight of piano list Yamaha G5 for only $1500. When I called the piano is now left with the movers and another city 100s of miles away. Mover now said I have to deal with the original seller for purchase forcing me to buy "Sight-un-seen", you get the drift. Also both phone numbers looked very similar - untraceable Google Voice #.

[@dennischannells5683]

I don;t (can't) play the piano but I must say I really enjoyed this video. Robert really knows what he is talking about.

[@jeffgoble4761]

Reeeeeally knows ... 🤣

[@lavapirate]

i didn't get scammed, more ignorance - parents traded in our old spinet - can't recall the brand - and got a very good deal on a baby samick in beautiful mahogany with inlay designs. The seller was reputable and did say it was 'german designed' soundboard like a steinway - but we didn't really understand what that meant. It was presented as a S. Korean piano and we didn't pay a ton of money for it. Still, it certainly was a huge step up from the old spinet so I can't complain.

[@Patrick_B687-3]

I can't believe people fall for letting someone take a piece of anything for sale. Or, buying something that expensive at auction with no exam. You wouldn't let them take the grips off your pistol, or seats from your car... Informative video nonetheless. Thanks!

[@brois841]

How much you can see (i.e. risk) gets factored into the price. I've been to car auctions where you can look at the car, but you can't drive it. They get sold, albeit at a slightly lower price, to account for 'what if' scenarios.

[@mattvwyk]

We have three brothers selling themselves as piano tuners. They would come to the victim's house for a tune but tell the unfortunate customer that the hammers, bushes, action, etc needs to be redone. They would then take out the action to be worked on at their "workshop" and charge the customers a small fortune. After some time we discovered that they would remove the action of one piano and swop around the parts of another similar model of another unfortunate customer's piano.

[@shayneoneill1506]

I've seen a similar thing with guitars. Someone takes a Fender Squire (The low end brand of fenders) , still good guitars but not quite as good as a proper, then they'll take the "Squire" logo off, and replace it with ""Fender". Technically it is in fact a genuine Fender, but its not a high end fender, but people are fooled into paying 2-3 times the cost of a squire for a squire thining its the real thing.

[@Kapomafioso]

Free piano scams. Dude seems fine, "just want to give out a piano after my late wife, ..." (or a different heartbreaking story) however, there is caveat: the piano has been moved to a different city (far away from the city where the ad had been posted) and gives you contact information on movers who have it - just call them, the piano is for free, but you have to pay up front fee for moving and then cash the rest when the piano arrives. No way, don't buy a piano you didn't see on your own eyes (in person)!

[@RealTotalPianoCare]

Recently, I inspected a Baldwin L (6' 3") with a Mason & Hamlin decal applied to the front of the piano. The plot thickened and deepened quickly, when the REAL, factory stamped serial number was revealed, stamped/embossed/chiseled into the wood by the factory within the (1) case, (2) cheekblocks, and (3) action frame. It was worlds apart from the serial number painted onto the cast iron plate - turns out the piano was manufactured in 1926, and not in 1963 -- the year of the "made up" serial number that was painted onto the plate, possibly, by an unscrupulous piano rebuilder (or possibly, by one, who didn't include a note along with the piano, to explain the discrepancy/inconsistency).

[@praestant8]

PianoCare That's curious because Baldwin stamped numbers on case and action parts do not correspond to the serial number on the plate anyhow.. unlike Steinway. I learned this after buying my Baldwin 7' F. I find it odd it would have an M&H decal. What about the insides? Can't hide the Baldwin plate details with out much fakery. The other thing being that a M&H won't fetch more of a price than a Baldwin in most markets. They're often neck and neck... unlike the overpriced Steinway resale.

[@janbaer3241]

I'd been told that for antique piano you buy it based on the sound, not on the name. (My Braumulller baby grand has beautiful sound).

[@da__lang]

Who would let someone take the fallboard before the piano has been purchased and paid for? I can't imagine agreeing to that.

[@therenegadepianotechnician5170]

A piano dealer I know bought a Steinway grand from. out of state. He thought this piano was a Steinway M. Turns out, it was an XR former player piano. These have ridiculously long keys and screwy trap work. These are worth alot less than a model M. The piano was cut in the keyed, the piano was made 6 inches shorter and a copy of a Steinway action made in Asia was installed.

[@eddyvideostar]

To Learn Thai: This reminds me of home repair contractors: They seem to initiate their business close to the weekend and take payment in the late evening for the same reason that the bank and some of your support systems will be unavailable if something is amiss.

[@electricwally]

Thank you Robert! That was a very eye-opening lesson! Best wishes!

[@gojewla]

Some of the worst new pianos I have ever played on were Sammick. The only thing worse than that is a pearl river.

[@jeffcraven7376]

Best piano I ever played was a Yamaha Studio Grand that looked almost like an upright, & the tone in each octave on the keyboard was honey to the ears & the responsiveness would've made Bud Powell cheer. Stick with a Yamaha, Baldwin, it you can afford it a Steinway or the more expensive Bosendorfer. For parents of a prospective student, go for mid-priced ranged Yamaha or Baldwin. Better yet buy the beginning student a much cheaper electronic Casio to start on to determine the child's motivation in learning the keyboard. It's not mainly the instrument but the person playing it.

[@natalyahennings1085]

@@jeffcraven7376 Mason & Hamlin older versions.

[@chonghwang8028]

I know it’s not as good as Fazioli.

[@NickDe39]

My sister purchase an old piano player with 35 rolls of piano music, no scratches on the wood, it did work and she paid $10.00 for it. Took me and several of my friends to move it. Did she get scammed?

[@gtoliver-official]

What if you buy a 65 year old German (made by Sauter) upright piano in good condition, strings hold tuning well, no cracks in soundboard, cabinet is like new, but the mechanism and hammer felts needs some minor regulation? is it worth it invest in such a piano still?

[@rickideemus]

The biggest piano scam BY FAR is the ad that says "you can learn to play the piano in ..." name your figure -- "two weeks," "ten minutes a day," whatever. Sorry folks. If you've used your hands basically like claws all your life -- and unless you have a pretty good ear for music -- it ain't happenin'. MOST people can NEVER play anything harder than chopsticks.

[@nesh-midwest]

rickideemus I’ve been a guitar and bass player for 8 years or so, never played the piano or read sheet music, I got into a music college and I thought I’ll learn sheet music, I knew the basics of the piano. A couple weeks ago I picked up an old upright piano and got it tuned. A couple weeks went and since I’ve learnt the first movement of moonlight sonata and rondo alla Turka (Turkish March). Long story short I’m proud of myself and I hope to learn much much more

[@789563able]

If you’re what I call a “natural” musician you can probably learn any instrument relatively quickly

[@LEGOAgenda]

Delta David no you can’t

[@organfairy]

I guess there are scams anywhere where there's a certain amount of money involved. I have even heard of Hammond organ scams: Many of Hammond's organ models look alike for the untrained eye. So there has been cases where a less desirable model has been "dressed up" to look like a B3 - Hammond's most sought after organ. It is still a Hammond and it still plays, but there are small deviations in the sound compared to a real B3.

[@ryano.5149]

Not a scam per se, but just poor business practice. I live in NYC, but my piano stays with my parents in PA. It's a Janssen baby grand, and I love it! It is an old piano, but it was well maintained. Anyway, I tried to schedule a tuning for when I'd actually be around. This would have been the first tuning since it was delivered. So I call up the tuner who's name I got from a friend. He says "Oh, I live in the area! I'll come by and tune it Wednesday morning." Wednesday comes and goes. I call him back. "I can do it Friday morning, definitely. I live in your area, I can come tune it whenever you want." Ok, fine. Friday morning comes and goes. Call him Friday evening. "Oh, I got tied up! I'll come tomorrow morning around 8." Fine. (at this point I'm starting to lose my patience.) Saturday morning. I wake up early, make sure my family is out of the house and everything is quiet. It's 10:30. I give him another call. "Oh, I got tied up again, can I come this afternoon?" FINE. I wait until 2:30. I've had it! He has the audacity to say to me "Hey, are we good for this afternoon? I live right nearby, I can come..." I told him "Look, it is afternoon. I'm going to go with a tuner who will actually show up!" What a waste of time! I rearranged my schedule not once, not twice, but three times for that charlatan! My dad had an excellent point: "Do you really want someone who will do that to you to come within 10 feet of your piano?" To which I said "HELL NO!!!" ...but due to my schedule, and availability of tuners, the piano still hasn't been tuned. It has been 8 months since I brought it home...which has me biting my nails a little bit as to how much it is going to take to get her back in tune.

[@suzyq3225]

I answered an add for a free Kimball console piano. I checked out the bridges, the sound board and keys etc. It looked solid to my amateur eyes. So I advertised for a mover. Two people recommended a mover/tech/tuner by name. So I called him. He agreed to move it and give it a free once over check first, to see if it was sound. He said he would call back. The next day, he checked out the piano and the owner said that the mover/tech/tuner said it was in good shape and picked it up (supposedly for me). So, the guy found the piano in great resalable shape and didnt deliver my free piano, but kept it for himself to resell it for a profit. Moral of the story: Dont trust anyone!!!

[@roimark358]

The upright piano is really very authoritative when it comes to tone, very clear with complete separation of every notes, natural sound, truly natural real piano sound, its not muddy sound like most grand piano those latest GP expensives sounded like electronically produce sound. That upright made in japan piano is perfect for me.

[@taxol2]

I just bought a used upright (not grand or baby grand) Petrof Chippendale. The strings are good, hammers are OK, no water , terminite, nor rodent damage. There’s very minor scrstch on the top. The owner was a diplomat which purchased the unit in Vienna.

[@asrose7979]

Steinway & Yamaha are shiite next to my Bösendorfer (made in Austria, TYVM). Why no mention of this king of pianos ?

[@user-74652]

Because Bösendorfer is not as much of a well-known name as Steinway.

[@praestant8]

Random user #74652819 It is to consumers of fine pianos. Steinway is the Toyota of pianos... decently made, the working pianist's work horse. Everyone knows what it is and wants one because they are the benchmark. There are several piano builders that make instruments well above the line of Steinway.

[@eleezemckenna6787]

Maybe he did not mention the Bösendorfer because we are talking upwards of $50,000.00 for one of their upright pianos and close to $200,000 plus for a concert grand.

[@TungPham-xe4sg]

I have heard about cases where a different piano's action was "plugged" inside an upright steinway. How do I identify this problem and know that my action is an authentic Steinway's?

[@markhinds]

Of all the pianos I worked on my favorite came from the CONwood company. Perfect name. Their story was an elaborate tale of the wood they used to make their pianos was from Robin Hood's Sherwood forrest. An actual con about their wood

[@nancycharlotte3140]

Great video. And I think you do look like Luke Skywalker also.

[@eddieday9077]

Hello, I have a Yamaha baby grand piano. It's a two pedal. It has not cracks in the exterior and sound board. In very good condition. I no longer have the space. I would like to know how much should I sell for , so not to take advantage of someone or myself. Thanks, Ed.

[@benjammin6692]

I found a Steinway but how do I determine if it's real? It's located in Maine.

[@jaynebennett2063]

You can get the serial number and see if it is actually a Steinway serial and what year it would be. Upright or grand? The Steinway dealership in the greater Boston area might be helpful as well (M. Steinert & Sons).

[@mattdyer9544]

'Not all people are upright', Correct some are Grand, or Digital

[@MrSpruce]

Sorry, people got to that joke far before you.

[@lro63]

Bam!

[@e.sren5]

At least I'm not digital. Paying a lot of money every month for not being digital and to live with a living instrument touching my heart 💕

[@amapparatistkwabena]

Biggest scams: Samick and Young Chang pianos. Shiny and pretty, but cheap and a completely inedible salads of pianos.

[@joeylessard8444]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a Pearl River grand piano, 5 ''3 and I wanted to have some opinions about it. In the begining, it cost 13 000 $ (new piano), and the piano store sold it at 9 000$ to someone because it was the demo, so that people could try it in the store, so now it's been two years that the person bought it from the store at 9 000$ and can sell it to me at 7 000$ to 7 500$. He says the piano is in very good condition and he is selling it because he has to go back in his country, otherwise he would have kept it. What do you think ? I'd really like your advice. (My english might not be so good, French is my first language)

[@shoppe99]

It can happen on the other side too. Though it may not be considered a scam, but is unscrupulous behavior on the sellers part. You get a signed contract, money down, saying you are buying the piano but it takes a day or three to set up a piano mover in the mean time someone else comes along and offers more money and can move it that day. You come back w/ the balance of the money and a mover later only to find the seller says sorry... gives you back your deposit and you are left standing there with your mouth open like a fool. That is one reason I might very well take a part of the piano with me when I leave. Not the piano bench but something like the piano action that I can slip into my car. Nobody is buying that piano out from under me!

[@IamScroticus]

No, I am your father.

[@YouTubeChannel-xw6do]

could'nt stop watching this video. great speech skills and you DEFINATELY conveyed a message

[@99xara99]

This is terrible! So glad I got my piano from a trustworthy local piano builder. It's definitely German and great quality and it was 10k (Yes, definitely - German pianos aren't all that rare in Germany after all! 😂)

[@mark_patton]

Great info. Thanks for posting it. Do you have a list of your top 10 picks for Grand Pianos for a home setting. I'd love a Steinway but don't need / want to spend $100k for this application.

[@janbaer3241]

For antique instruments, shouldn't they be judged individually, based on sound quality?

[@andrewx7806]

Anybody know what a 100 year old Brewster baby grand is worth in good condition?

[@audunjemtland8287]

How do you set a key? I notice if I tune it dead center, it falls back when I play.

[@stephencoleman3578]

Today I was looking at an old German upright. I'd guess 80 years old. But I checked the serial number and it was 10,000 numbers over the last model built. Hmmmm a stenciled piano.

[@cirrus8791]

This is an excellent video. A common one I've come across is related to your #5, which is sellers enthusiastically selling Boston pianos as if they're Steinways - I've seen ads that had the Steinway name highlighted and the Boston almost in 'fine print'.

[@hpg307]

cirrus I disagree here. Steinway actually shows the Boston pianos on their website at www.steinway.com/boston

[@JacobEmch91]

Boston pianos are 100% made by Kawai, and Kawai reserves their best technology for their own pianos. The same is true for Essex pianos - 100% percent made by Pearl River in China. Both "marketed" by Steinway.

[@praestant8]

Jacob Emch As I recall Steinway had some input on the design and scaling of the Boston line, which is why they sell it as "designed by". Essex was a convenient low tier model... and of course they would be happy to trade in any Boston or Essex for a real Steinway when you're ready... Clever gimmick.

[@bruceruttan60]

Friendly and informative presentation. No mumbling or whispering. Good SHOW!

[@anushavetisyan9759]

Hello, thank you for the video! I am looking to buy a Kohler and Cambel, it is a baby grand but has a huge bug infestation. Is this a serious problem or is there a method to clean the instrument? Any information would be GREATLY appreciated!

[@fnersch3367]

My piano is a Krakhauer (NY, 1935). Is it worth anything?

[@georgiaguardian4696]

Two weeks ago, I bought a Kimball petite/baby grand piano made in 1968 with ”W.W. Kimball Co.” On th plate instrad of just ”Kimball”. It was only $200 bevausenthe super nice sellers were moving out. Is this a great deal? It has very few issues but cerainly needs to be tuned. My family is very happy tonget this. There were literally 20 other buyers trying to buy it. I know this is no Steinway but am still glad to own a piece instrument of the American musical history.

[@monoguy5194]

I just bought a piano for 5000$ (pianos are worth more in my country), a Yamaha upright u2. Its 60 years old, but is claimed to never be used. Inside is in perfect condition. Will be delivered to me next week. Hoping for the best (:

[@dunnkruger8825]

Robert, I am wet behind the ears, just starting to learn. BUT I know I am inspiring by the tone I hear - altho recorded - of German brands. I want a Schimmel or C. Bechstein upright. But as a beginner and not able to justify one yet, I’ve seen - 2024 - and heard on KZbin a $14K FEURICH 123 Vienna 45” upright that sounds amazing to me, close enough to what I hear from comparable German retailing at 2X the F123V That FEURICH states is made in Vienna, with a Ningbo mnfr frame and string assembly. With final assembly and other components German, France, assembled, regulated, voiced in Vienna. I am inspired by the sound I hear even as a beginning. But, a mostly Chinese doesn’t sound the same, the Chek Republic mnfr costing 25%+ more. Can you share your opinions? Thanks

[@ajborowski]

Are there any true American made grand pianos that can be had second hand around the $5-10k price point?

[@thomaspick4123]

People suck. I have been scammed, stolen from, had things borrowed that were ruined. I hate people, they are no good. Musicians are especially bad, because they have no money, they are poor.

[@ThadySenior]

When talking about no pianos from germany are you referring to the second hand market?

[@snafu313]

These scams are probably as old as pianos. I bought an Ivers and Pond baby grand from a reputable dealer and I'm happy with the purchase, but in looking up Ivers and Pond pianos on the internet I came across electronic copies of their old catalogs and all of them going back to the 1800's have this paragraph: Caution: We sometimes hear of inferior pianos being sold under some name, similar in sound, stenciled on the case. Every piano we make has cast in the metal frame "Ivers and Pond Piano Co., Boston." Look inside and see this before buying. Just thought that was interesting.

[@marycatherinealexander6844]

This was such a helpful video. I am trying to sell a piano for a friend. On the inside it is a Howard Piano (Cincinnati and Chicago) on the gold frame. It also has a Baldwin circular medal. There is also a "D" on the gold frame. I know that Baldwin owned Howard, but this video explained that the front sticker should say Howard NOT Baldwin on it. So, I now do not trust anything about the piano. The only numbers I can find are on the bar in front of the keys. We took it off and numbers have been hammer stamped into the wood (5 digits) on the piano and ink stamped on the back of the wood bar. Would Howard have stamped a piano in this way? Has my friend been scammed?

[@deborahblackvideoediting8697]

I was hoping someone would answer your question because it was so interesting. Did you ever find out?

[@knottreel]

I like the scam where they put an ad in the paper saying that they are picking up a repossessed piano and they will sell it really cheap. It turns out to be a low end model with a high price, taking advantage of a novice just starting lessons.

[@Anvanho]

Great video! I've played, by the way, a couple of "Stencil" pianos, and they were terrible, IMHO.

[@GraphicEqulizerProductions]

I answered free baby grand piano on Craigslist free section and they said yes it available. I said I would love it. Then informed me that I would have to pay their movers to deliver it to my house ASAP or else I won’t get the free baby grand piano they didn’t say anything in the ad to pay for their movers to my house.

[@aldito7586]

I'm not a pianist. I'm a songwriter and an electric bassist. I am true fan of pianists and pianos. I think the Fazioli wins the sound round here. The Bosendorfer has "Beautiful sound". But i think that the Fazioli edges it out.

[@DeadKoby]

We see this kind of stuff in the Guitar world too. Knock off Gibson...etc.

[@TJWatson59]

...I was once offered a Henway. When I asked "What's a Henway"? they replied..." About 4 pounds".....

[@reidwelch8419]

Wil Keeney had a late aunt whose Steinway model *usually an M but sometimes another size* he inherited. And because he did not play piano, Will would offer it for sale. Sometimes it was a Brambach or Lester or Recordio or Wurlitzer. But always he advertised only one piano at a time in the newspaper. Only one piano was shown at a time at his home (his others were kept out of sight). Year after year, Will sold pianos, each one inherited from his aunt. No harm was done, really. I was always amused by his success, Will was quite a character with darting eyes and wheedling voice, "this here piano is a real good one, you know, my aunt was a trained pianist." Wil is gone now. He had a masters degree it is reported and was a thirty year music teacher in the public school system. W.C. Fields was nothing over W. K.

[@No-pm4ss]

I just love listening to you telling stories, the way you talk and present the situations is really good :)

[@jasonbrisco]

If an auction house misrepresents an auction, it's a criminal offence.

[@johnraven2682]

the intro broke my EARS

[@NickDe39]

Also was a general manager for a fortune 500 company, I neither had the time nor liked to talk, so just came to the point.

[@hoodooguri]

The three cardinal rules of criminal practice for a lawyer are : a) money up front. b.) when the client goes off to jail you go home to dinner. c.) Money up front. It’s no different in a commercial deal selling anything. That’s life unless you want to be shafted.

[@AGC828]

Common sense. Is the shop an authorized dealer? Is the shop located where the rent is expensive or cheap? What are the shops next door selling? Is it a hi-end HIFi shop or a nail/massage spa? AVOID...buying f rom "joe nobody's". Was the shop recommended from a good school of music established almost 100 years ago? e.g. a "Royal Conservatory Of Music"...where some of the teachers are players on the local philharmonic orchestra. Which you can verify. Especially being that we have access to the internet. Pre-internet...shopping smart was harder. Relying more on common sense. Does it look like the shop is in an area where they could packup tomorrow and disappear? Does the salesman wear a cheap suit? :)