Considering a grand

[Horace]

This place seems nice, Roberts Pianos. They have two very reasonably priced 6' Baldwin Ls in stock, 1985 and 1988. 12k and 11k. Any thoughts on those models for those years?

https://robertspianoshouston.com/

Also a 40k Mason Hamlin BB from 1921. Probably a pass. Then a steinway for 22k.

I visited a different shop this afternoon that had Seilers. Not impressive. I think they have gone the way of the chinese manufacturers. Actually my piano sounds great by comparison to everything I heard today.

[George K]

Tagging @kluurs for this one.

We chatted earlier today, and he continues to be thrilled with his digital Roland. He plays it more than his Steinway. With the right software and some good speakers, you can probably have a very satisfying experience for under $6K.

Is there anything wrong with your upright? I thought you had a Bohemia.

[Horace]

I have an upright schulze Pullman. But I would prefer a nice grand.

I’d like to put a grand in this corner:

[Horace]

I went to a different piano shop this afternoon and played some Seiler pianos and Pearl River's premium "hand made" brand called kayserberger or something like that. My piano at home actually sounds better than all the uprights I tried and most of the grands. But nice grand is still better. If I want a digital, I can always get one, but an acoustic grand is a goal at some point. My wife suggested it, just as furniture, so it's nice to have buy-in for a toy.

[LuFins Dad]

Baldwin.

Steinway’s way too cheap.

Mason’s way too expensive.

[Jolly]

Masons are awfully nice. Decent AA, maybe? Or...

What's a decent Baldwin SF-10 going for?

[Jolly]

OTOH, it would be harder to find, but the CW190 (jodi has one) is a heckuva piano.

[George K]

Sigh...

Back in the day, I liked the Seilers. Of course, I'm going back 15 years.

Have they gone downhill?

[Horace]

@Jolly said in Considering a grand:

OTOH, it would be harder to find, but the CW190 (jodi has one) is a heckuva piano.

I’ve always wanted to try a CW. Never seen one.

[Horace]

@George-K said in Considering a grand:

Sigh...

Back in the day, I liked the Seilers. Of course, I'm going back 15 years.

Have they gone downhill?

They have three different brands where Seiler is part of the name. The one I tried today were the non premium ones. I guess the premium ones are still good, and most similar to the ones we heard about back in the day.

[George K]

@Horace I played a CW once - at Saphir's pianos in Glenview. It was a nice-enough piano. Just didn't grab me, however.

But that was my one-of experience.

Can I ask your budget (just because I'm nosy)?

[kluurs]

I like Jolly's idea of a Baldwin SF10. They're a great instrument - and at least around here - not that expensive. Actually, there was an SD10 available for $7,500 from an estate sale a few months back. It was rebuilt and in decent shape.

[kluurs]

George is right, playing a decent digital with a virtual instrument is amazing - compared to even what was around a few years back. The piano is always in tune - and one can alter the ambiance depending on what you want to do - practice - or listen to what you'd sound like in a real hall.

[Mik]

A Baldwin L would have been my choice if I could have found a decent one, a Bechstein if money was no object.

Not sure how you could go wrong with them if a tech oks it.

Perfect place for a grand.

Disclaimer: Son ofBaldwin’s advertising director then Baldwin dealer. It is in my blood.

[George K]

Posted in @kluurs thread so as not to contaminate this one...

https://nodebb.the-new-coffee-room.club/topic/20545/my-next-piano/89

[Mik]

The CW grands played nice but they always sounded like a tall upright to me.

[Jolly]

Got to have it dialed in right. The one we wrung out whupped everything in the shop, except for a M&H BB.

[Jolly]

Now for something totally off the wall...If any of you are down in Philly, drop by Cunningham's and test drive their Cunningham Parlor Grand.

Made by Hailun (or at least it used to be) with a heavier plate and a scale by an old Baldwin guy, it might surprise you.

[Axtremus]

Used pianos, all comes down to their conditions.
Looks like you have a very nice space for the piano.
Don’t know if you have ever mentioned it, does Mrs. Horace play the piano?
In any case, good luck with your quest for a grand piano.

[LuFins Dad]

To expand on my earlier post. Baldwin Artist Grands in the 80’s and 90’s were as fine of an instrument as could be found. There were a few quality control issues that mostly affected the instruments in the late 90’s but even then fine instruments could be found. The key is having a good technician go over them from top to bottom.

But the financial problems they suffered in the early 2000s and all of the crap that happened with Gibson drove down the perception of the brand. It the fallboards said Steinway, those L’s would cost $45K. Just have a good technical evaluation. Check for warped or split action rails or splitting bridges in particular.

If there is a Steinway for 25K it is likely in need of extensive repairs or is in decent playing shape now but will need extensive work in 10 years, leaving the dealer in a weird spot of deciding whether to rebuild it or not.

Mason? When was it rebuilt, who rebuilt it, how good was the end result? $40K is way too much when you have those Baldwins available for so much less.