[ Ref. Claudine Jones in 130207 MMDigest --

I'd ask for the name and telephone number of the person who tuned the
piano.  Ask if they remember the condition of the pinblock and pins.
If it was difficult to tune because the pins were 'soft', and moved
easily, that's about a $2,000-$3,000 job to put in a new pinblock.

If the piano tuned easily and the pins were firm, I'd definitely pay
$1,000 for the piano, myself.  If I didn't already own that exact
model, that is. :)

The black buttons are for the sustain and dampening effects.  They
operate bellows on the inside sides of the case.  You'd need to put
a roll on there, or cover the holes and pump up some vacuum, then try
the buttons, one at a time while you play some notes.  It should be
easy to tell if the sustain is working.  If you remove the front, you
should be able to see the dampers & sustain operating.

Bill Mackin, Iowa