Piano Grades & Conditioning

CONDITIONING SCALE CONDITION DESCRIPTION CONDITION RANGE
AAA R & R "LIKE NEW"
AA REFURBISHED BETTER
WORSE
A RECONDITIONED
A- EXCELLENT
B+ VERY GOOD
B GOOD
C FAIR
D POOR

PIANO GRADE AND CONDITIONING SCALE

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.

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Appraised value is based on the age, condition, size, grade and rarity of the piano. Value greatly depends on condition and the make of the piano. These values are stated in U.S. Dollars based on local market values from several sources. Comparisons of pianos of this age, condition and nature offered for sale in newspapers and the internet by private parties, music stores,  auction houses, and piano teachers. Most appraisers have some wholesale and retail sales experience buying, selling, trading new and used pianos. The Appraiser must have knowledge of the local market area. No two markets or conditions are the same. Piano teachers and piano tuners are not qualified piano appraisers without the certification.

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