Considering a grand

[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.

[Horace]

@LuFins-Dad said in Considering a grand:

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.

Thanks LD! I will check them out today.

[Horace]

@Axtremus said in Considering a grand:

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.

Thanks Ax. No she doesn’t play. But has expressed interest in learning.

[Jolly]

This is interesting...The Chinese Piano lady...

https://chinesepianolady.net/#about

[Horace]

@Jolly said in Considering a grand:

This is interesting...The Chinese Piano lady...

https://chinesepianolady.net/#about

Good resource, thanks Jolly.

[Jolly]

Caveat: I don't know her from Eve. She's the product of an internet search and for all I know, could be a cereal killer.

[Horace]

@Jolly said in Considering a grand:

Caveat: I don't know her from Eve. She's the product of an internet search and for all I know, could be a cereal killer.

Magic Spoon is the cereal killer. I’m getting my first delivery today as chance would have it.

[jon-nyc]

For me it was a hard boiled egg and cranberry walnut toast.

[kluurs]

@jon-nyc said in Considering a grand:

For me it was a hard boiled egg and cranberry walnut toast.

Cranberry walnut toast is my go-to bread these days.