THE "ORIGINAL" BLUEBOOK OF PIANOS
AMERICAN STANDARD  DEFINITION OF TERMS

The Bluebook of Pianos has adopted the following definitions to help clarify the level of repairs on a piano. 

1. "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".

2. "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."

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.

 

We have adopted the following designations to identify the condition of an instrument.

1. R & R = Rebuilt and Refinished

2. Refurbished = Reconditioned

3. The age of an instrument is considered as a part of the condition.

Excellent Under 10 Years - Good 10 to 20 Years - Fair Over 20 Years

DEFINITIONS:
 

MODEL:   Designates the brand name or model number  used  to  identify a piano. 

 

USED/RESIDUAL:  This column designates the price for  pianos which  are  rental returns, lease returns, or in  some  cases instruments that dealer is paying high interest rates on. It may also reflect the true value of an instrument of  this quality in cases where it  becomes  loan value for a bank appraisal.

 

AVERAGE_RETAIL:  Designates the MSLP [Manufacturers Suggested List Price] "Suggest Retail Price" also  known as Regular, List, Tag, Was, and Benchmark.  This is the price  formula the dealer selects. 

 

Cost + Freight  +  Dealer   Prep + Tuning + Delivery + Etc.  Please Note: There is no such thing as a FREE lunch, or free delivery, it is always charged, or  built into the price.

 

BA$E BOOK VALUE :

1. This is the amount a typical store   actually  collects  for a given product based on  a  national  survey  of piano sales nationwide  (Prices shown reflect  the latest price increases). 2. Retail price minus a discount for  sale  purposes.  

3.  The price that  provides  the  greatest  turnover of inventory at a profit. 

4.  The actual price  the guy  down the street asks for and sells the same  or  similar  product.  

5.  The current "Ba$e Book  Value"  guide  or  price  the piano should sell for.

As  in  the BA$E  PRICE,  the "FAIR MARKET VALUE" is used  as  a SALE  price only as shown.  Some manufacturers increase prices up  to three times a year (based on currency exchange  rates,  model changes, competitive pricing, etc).  This guidebook  is in  a constant state of change in order to provide  you  with  the  latest price information.  

 

CMV:  "CURRENT MARKET VALUE"

 

1. Reflects the wholesale or current market value of a piano  after all repairs have been made.

2. This is  not  the  amount  you paid for or the amount allowed in trade.

3.  This is  the  actual amount the instrument is worth, it  does  not include additional moving or other make ready.

 

 FMV LISTS:

 

Valuations  reflect both wholesale and retail prices paid  by dealers at auction and retail prices in retail piano  stores.  The age of an instrument is not a consideration, prices shown

are  for vertical pianos made after 1960, pianos  older  than that  should  receive additional scrutiny by buyer.  In  the case of Grand Pianos worth rebuilding, the age could be 100 +

years,  condition  will  still determine the  value.  ‑  Fair   Market Value

   

Keep  in  mind  that these are only guidelines  to  help  you determine  whether  a particular piano you're  looking at is priced fairly  Actual selling prices may vary widely.  These

prices  are  based upon overall quality of a  given  line  of pianos, based on controlled use tests, expert judgments, and   experience.

 

ACV  "ACTUAL CASH VALUE"

 

Dealer wholesale for Used Pianos. ACV is determined by actually looking at a piano in order to determine the Actual Cash Value.  This is the the price as an asset to the business.

 

PIANO AGE | ARCHIVES | APPRAISALS | PIANO TYPES | BLUEBOOK VALUE  | SELL A PIANO   

The values listed in this guide are for units in average condition. If the unit is in a condition other than average, you must adjust the book value accordingly.