| If you are looking to invest in a tangible product as | | | | declined over the decade, wine increased 100 percent |
| opposed to stocks and bonds, you have lots of | | | | and a classic Mercedes Benz '54-'57 rose 43 percent |
| options. You consider real estate, classic cars or | | | | in appreciation. |
| maybe a piece of jewelry or gold. But how about | | | | If you are lucky enough to already have either a grand |
| investing in a piano? To be more specific, how about | | | | or an upright in your family, hang on to it. Not only is it a |
| investing in a Steinway piano? Yes, over the years, | | | | sentimental family heirloom, but it has also appreciated |
| this instrument has proven to be a lucrative and often | | | | in value. If it is in need of a restoration, the money |
| times better investment as far as return and | | | | needed to return it to its original state is well worth the |
| enjoyment than the aforementioned items. | | | | return you will get from a fully functioning beautifully |
| While many instruments built today are mass produced | | | | restored Steinway piano. Of course, as a family |
| with materials that are cost effective, the Steinway | | | | heirloom, you may not wish to sell it. What you will |
| piano is still built just as it was when the company was | | | | have is a valuable piece of family history to pass |
| founded in 1853. Every component is carefully chosen | | | | down and with proper maintenance future generations |
| for its superior quality. One piano takes an entire year | | | | can enjoy its beauty and sound. Consider an |
| to be completed and ready for the market, and only | | | | investment in your family. |
| 5,000 are manufactured each year. So, demand as | | | | However, if you happen to be the owner of this fine |
| well as craftsmanship insures that this instrument will | | | | instrument, it is important to take great care with its |
| appreciate in value over time. Most other brands will | | | | regular maintenance. To keep your investment pure, |
| depreciate, much like a car when it is driven off the car | | | | you may want to use the Steinway Restoration |
| lot. | | | | Center if you need your instrument rebuilt. That is the |
| Older Steinways are by far the most valuable with an | | | | only way to guarantee all of the components remain |
| appreciation in value of 13.6 percent for a grand model | | | | 100 percent Steinway. This is not to say that a |
| made during the Golden Age of the piano, the 1900's | | | | reputable technician cannot give you the same quality |
| and earlier. Even as young as a model built in the | | | | rebuild and it does not mean that your instrument will |
| seventies, the resale appreciation is at about 2.3 | | | | decline in value if you use another technician. It is just |
| percent. In the eighties, retail value of the concert grand | | | | another safeguard option for the care and |
| rose 200 percent. That is quite a jump in just a | | | | maintenance of your investment. You can be sure that |
| decade. According to the Forbes report, as an | | | | if you do not take care of it, you will not profit from it. |
| investment, it outperformed other items like gold, which | | | | |