The Piano Exchange (St. Pete FL)

Following the thread about Rick Jones refurbished used Asian pianos, I'm wondering if anybody has similar experience/opinions about The Piano Exchange in St. Petersburg, FL. I live in Tampa, and am caught in the concundrum of being able to afford only a NEW Chinese built grand, or a USED refurbished Asian 'gray market' one. Sounds like Rick Jones and Piano Exchange are comparable operations. All opinions appreciated!

According to H. Waldo Emerson the ultimate musical authority, all 'gray market' pipe organs are worn out. The windchests are shot and leak air from being abused in music schools. The wood pipes are rotting and the metal ones sag under their own weight. Contrary to popular belief, ALL the pipes must be replaced because they cannot be re-voiced.

Same story with old Hammond B3s, the tone wheels are shot and must be replaced.

Don't even think about used broadcast transmitters, man the PI-network is shot from electrical engineering students practicing how to load the PA.

The claim that the Yamaha or Kawai used imports are 'refurbished' is a common one by some of those who sell them, but the fact is - rarely are any of them 'refurbished'. At the most, the case is cleaned and buffed, and any obvious problems such as a broken string is fixed. Beyond that, they are just like the got them.

Larry Doing the work of 3 men - Larry, Curly, & Moe Caution: I do not brake for sales weasels

I don't know about old pipe organs, but I can tell you that if Waldo told you that the tone wheels in old Hammond B3s are shot and must be replaced, he's not much of an authority. Tone wheels do not wear out. They don't touch anything to wear out. Scanners wear out, but you can buy new ones. But you will not see anyone *ever* having to replace tonewheels.

Larry Doing the work of 3 men - Larry, Curly, & Moe Caution: I do not brake for sales weasels