Current Projects

For Sale from our Showroom on Consignment with the Owner

6'7" Schimmel Grand #144120 (1973)

Satin Ebony.  Manufactured in 1973. Restored by Ray's Piano Service in 2008. According to Larry Fine's "Piano Book," a new replacement Schimmel Grand of this size retails for $50,000 - $60,000 (polished ebony either 6'3" or 7'), and the "depreciated value" of a 1973 in good condition is about 35% of new, resulting in a "fair market appraisal value" of $20,000 for this piano. The owner is willing to sell this piano, with the improvements outlined below, for $12,000. A good deal for a quality almost-new German-built piano! Ideal for a small performance hall, chapel, or a high-ceilinged parlor. If you think it might fit your budget or situation, contact us and make an appointment for viewing.

IMPROVEMENTS:

Clean & touch up—Remove lid, music rest, action, lyre, and any other components requiring reconditioning. Rebuild lyre assembly. Complete cleaning and polishing, inside and out, wood parts and metal parts. Touch up damaged areas of the cabinet. Reassemble. Re-glue insert nuts for legs and lyre.

Recondition action—Clean. Lubricate and/or replace tight centers and worn key bushings. Reshape hammers. Tighten all screws.

Complete Regulation—All regulation adjustments to ensure that piano plays like new (key height & leveling, key dip, hammer blow distance, letoff & drop, sustain, sostenuto, shift). Tune to A-440.

SCHEDULE:

Pick Up—From Ferndale, WA, October 25, 2008

NOTE 7/11/09--Today we delivered this piano to a church in Lynden, WA. It will be located in this church on a special one-year "Lease-To-Purchase" contract with the owner. However, this contract includes an agreement that during the lease period, the owner will consider offers from other interested parties to purchase this piano on condition that the lessee is informed and has opportunity to counter-offer. For more information, contact us.

6'7" Schimmel Grand #144120 (1973)

6'7" Schimmel Grand #144120 (1973)

7/11/09: Located at a church in Lynden, WA, on a "lease-purchase" arrangement, but for one year the owner will consider offers. Contact Ray's Piano Service for more information.

6'7" Schimmel Grand #144120 (1973)
Pictures of the Assessment and Improvement Process
taken in our shop:

2 – The original keytops will look "as good as new" after a thorough cleaning and buffing. The lyre glue joints no longer hold it together--it will need to be rebuilt.

3 – A close examination of the "harp," sound board and bridges showed that these structural parts of the piano are in excellent condition and simply require thorough cleaning.

4 – During examination of the underside, we noticed a strong "wheel-spoked" design of frame beams and a double rim. The extra mass of the piano's body contributes to its deep, rich musical sound.

5 – With the upper action on our workbench, we reshaped the hammers and pre-voiced them to ensure a deep, rich tone. These are good quality German hammers, easily voiced.

6 – After completely cleaning the keyframe and keys and replacing the underkey cloth and felt punchings, we regulated key heights and key leveling.

7 – We re-installed the top action and regulated jack positions, hammer blow distance, letoff, drop, dip, back checks, and wippen springs. All regulation adjustments are checked and improved with the action properly seated in the keybed.

8 – A major attraction of this piano is its Renner action--an elite, high quality action manufactured in Germany. When properly regulated, this action is very responsive and efficient, easily controlled by the expert musician.

9 – We removed the dampers and cleaned the strings and sound board areas. Then we cleaned and polished the damper wires and damper heads.

10 – We re-installed the dampers at the height required by the newly regulated action, and we regulated the three pedal mechanisms. Then we tuned the piano at concert pitch.

11 – With the lid in the "low" position, we cleaned and polished the lid, all wood exterior parts of the cabinet and all brass hinges and leg assemblies.

12 – The cleaned and polished keys and fallboard make the piano look almost "as good as new"!

13 – After rebuilding the pedal lyre, we re-installed it and regulated the pedals.

14 - Ready for delivery!

15 – 7/11/09: Located at a church in Lynden, WA, on a "lease-purchase" arrangement, but for one year the owner will consider offers. Contact Ray's Piano Service for more information.