| 
                
              
                 
                 
                  | GRADING 
                    SCALE | DEFINITIVE  
                  DESCRIPTION | CONDITION |   
                  | AAA | R & R | "LIKE NEW" |   
                  | AA | REFURBISHED | BETTER 
   WORSE
 |   
                  | A | RECONDITIONED |   
                  | A- | EXCELLENT |   
                  | B+ | VERY GOOD |   
                  | B | GOOD |   
                  | C | FAIR |   
                  | D | POOR |  
 
    AAA MINT - R&R
                (Rebuilt and Refinished) 
      A used piano that has been disassembled, inspected, repaired as necessary 
      with replacement of all worn or deteriorated parts, reassembled, tested 
      and approved to at least the tolerances of a new piano of like manufacture 
      is said to have been rebuilt and refinished. A grading of R&R is 
      designated.
                 
                
                The labor-intensive work required to rebuild a piano properly is not 
      inexpensive. Therefore, a rebuilt piano should be purchased because of its 
      merits, not purely as a money-saving measure compared to a new instrument.
                  
      AA LIKE NEW - REFURB (Refurbished) A Refurb
        instrument rating means that the instrument looks great,
        plays great is in excellent mechanical condition and
        needs no reconditioning. It should pass all inspections.  Free of any blemishes, nicks or
        scratches; original condition throughout; very little
        sign of use. 
      A RECONDITIONED - RECON
      A used piano that has been put back in good condition by cleaning, 
      repairing and adjusting for maximum performance with replacement parts 
      where specifically indicated is said to have been reconditioned."  A grading of Reconditioned is designated. 
      A- EXCELLENT - EXCEL A excellent
        instrument rating means that the instrument looks great,
        is in excellent mechanical condition and needs no
        reconditioning. It should pass all inspections. The
        string compartment should be clean. The finish is free of
        any wear or visible defects. There is no rust.  Minute nicks or scratches; no dents
        or rust. 
        B+ VERY GOOD - VG  A very
        good rating means that the piano is free of any
        major defects. Many pianos owned by consumers fall into
        this category. The finish will have only minor blemishes
        (if any), and there are no major mechanical problems.  Few scratches; exceptionally clean;
        no dents or rust. 
                 B GOOD
               
                GOOD A good
        piano may need some reconditioning to be sold at retail,
        but any major reconditioning should be deducted from the
        value.  Scratches, small dents, dirty. 
                 C FAIR
               
                FAIR
                 A fair
        instrument rating means that the piano probably has some
        mechanical defects, but is still in operating condition.
        The finish and/or interior usually need professional
        repair to make the instrument salable.  Well-scratched, chipped, dented,
        rusted or warped condition. 
                    
                    
                    Bluebook 
                     of
                    Pianos 
 
              
                  This information 
              is provided free and "as is" without express or implied warranties. While 
              every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the  
              information contained in this article, the maintainer assumes no 
              responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting 
              from the use of the information contained herein.   
 
                  
              Copyright  © 2013 Bluebook of 
              Pianos All Rights Reserved
               
      
 
  
              
Return to Introduction |