Question for Larry and Lufin

[Larry]

Geez.. this is going to sound bad..... Ok, bear in mind that I used to rebuild pianos, and was a dealer. So over the years I ran into deals on things that were just too good to pass up, and sometimes I would buy an old piano off someone cheap, restore it, then like the piano so much that I'd decide to just keep it... That said, I have several. I should get rid of them, but every time I think "I'm going to sell that one" I talk myself out of it.

Back in the mid 80's, when Kimball International owned Bosendorfer, Kimball added two grand pianos to their Kimball brand. They were called Viennese Edition - a 5'8" and a 6'7" model. The marketing spin was that Bosendorfer design engineers helped design them. They launched a marketing campaign of providing free use of these pianos to any major venue where the public would see their pianos being used by well known people. I got them into the Nashville scene, and on the Grand Ole Opry stage. Most of the pianos they placed this way were actual Kimball built 6'7" grands. But (inside secret here.....) a few of them that were used in very high profile situations were actually Bosendorfer Grands built by Bosendorfer but with the Kimball name on them. (Shhhh... don't tell anyone....) The piano used on the Opry stage was one of those 6'7 "Kimballdorfers"..... After they ended the program, I bought the "Kimballdorfer" that was used on stage at the Opry. It is a straight up 6'7" Bosendorfer, but it says Kimball on it.

In 2000 a dealer somewhere in the Midwest sold a C. Bechstein model D concert grand and knocked a chunk out of the rim at the tail. Naturally, the customer refused the piano, and it was scheduled to be shipped back to Germany. Knowing that was costly and the piano would be discounted I made an offer on it and the offer was accepted. I repaired the rim to good as new, and it's in the living room.

I also have a 7'4" 1894 Decker and Sons grand that I bought for 500 bucks and then restored. It was in such good condition when I bought it I could have just left it alone, but I did a full restoration. Decker Brothers were considered to be equal in quality to Steinway at the time, but the company closed down when one of the brothers died.

Next I have an Estey baby grand that has an interesting case on it that I bought off a little old lady in Atlanta for 300 dollars because she just wanted it out of her way. "If you'll give me 200 or 300 dollars and come get it you can have it. If not, I'm going to have it taken to the dump.." I restored it, and the little thing sounded so sweet I just kept it.

Next is a 1924 Mason Hamlin A that I restored, and the old Baldwin Hamilton upright my mother bought for 50 dollars back in the early 60s. She worked very hard for that 50 bucks, but she wanted me to have a piano. It is the most valued piano I have.

[ILM]

Great stories Lufin and Larry.
I used to have the Baldwin Hamilton Upright. I should have kept it, but I got caught up in thinking I needed a grand, so I bought the K169 Schimmel, which was way too big for my little house and more money than I should have spent. I sold that, and back at having a Kawai Upright.

[Aqua Letifer]

@ILM said in Question for Larry and Lufin:

Great stories Lufin and Larry.
I used to have the Baldwin Hamilton Upright. I should have kept it, but I got caught up in thinking I needed a grand, so I bought the K169 Schimmel, which was way too big for my little house and more money than I should have spent. I sold that, and back at having a Kawai Upright.

Photos?

[Jolly]

And the rest of us are chopped liver?

[George K]

Former Baldwin Hamilton owner here as well.

Here's D1 and D2 at the piano in....1985:

[Mik]

I want Larry’s Bechstein.

[jon-nyc]

I had a Baldwin Hamilton too.

[jon-nyc]

Cute pic, George.

[kluurs]

Came close to having a Baldwin Hamilton around 1969 or so. I think it was less than $900 delivered at the time.

[George K]

@kluurs said in Question for Larry and Lufin:

Came close to having a Baldwin Hamilton around 1969 or so. I think it was less than $900 delivered at the time.

Mine was a graduation present in 1976. I don't remember the price, but, adjusted for inflation, it was probably close to what you were quoted at the time.

[89th]

Cool stories, @Larry

[89th]

So I have a question... when I move to Minnesoooooota, I plan on getting a grand piano (size TBD), but have an interesting option.

My grandpa (passed a few years ago) had a 1920s Baldwin grand, probably 5.5-feet, similar to the one in the photo below. I found this pic online just to give you an idea. He learned to play on it, which means my great grandparents bought it in the 20s. It’s now with my aunt, whom I’d imagine would give/sell it to me if I asked since she doesn’t really play it.

The option is...I know it’s not in great shape. Would it be worth a complete restoration? How much might that cost and would it get the sound quality to that of what a new grand might generate today?

Admittedly, knowing I’m playing the very keys that my great grandpa touched, among many family members (to include my daughter when she’s old enough to learn) is a major driving factor, but I’d also enjoy a piano that provides a top notch sound.

[jon-nyc]

I’ll let the guys who know what they’re talking about chime in but I’d be hesitant to restore a piano that small.

[George K]

@jon-nyc said in Question for Larry and Lufin:

I’ll let the guys who know what they’re talking about chime in

Well, you're on the wrong forum, obviously.

hesitant to restore a piano that small.

Is the cost of restoration significantly less/more for a smaller piano?

[jon-nyc]

I just don’t want a 5’5” piano so I wouldn’t invest $ like that

[George K]

@jon-nyc said in Question for Larry and Lufin:

I just don’t want a 5’5” piano so I wouldn’t invest $ like that

So, 65 inches ain't enough....

[Larry]

From a dollar standpoi t unless you know how to do the work yourself, having a 5' 5" restored is not worth it. But you mentioned sentimental issues, and you can't put a dollar value on that. So it all comes down to whether you're willing to spend way more than the piano will be worth because of the sentimental value. You also need to bear in mind that not all rebuilders are good at it, not all rebuilds are the same, and it is very likely that what you end up with is a nice pretty door stop that plays and sounds like crap

[89th]

Good to know. Not sure it’s a 5.5 but it was a guess. Yes, the sentimental value is really all I care about, I’d have ZERO interest in ever re-selling it, but I’d also hope it could be restored so it sounds terrific as it wouldn’t just be a piece of furniture to walk by.

[Mik]

My teacher taught me on a Baldwin grand that size and that age. I loved that piano.

[Jolly]

@89th said in Question for Larry and Lufin:

Good to know. Not sure it’s a 5.5 but it was a guess. Yes, the sentimental value is really all I care about, I’d have ZERO interest in ever re-selling it, but I’d also hope it could be restored so it sounds terrific as it wouldn’t just be a piece of furniture to walk by.

It's most likely a 5'6" . Most likely a Model H. Scale is going to be very similar to a R.

Lindeblad in New Jersey has a recently rebuilt one they are asking $30k for. I don't think it is worth that.

Here's what I do know...If you rebuild it, you do so for sentimental reasons, because you ain't getting your money back out of it. That's the bad news.

The good news is that you have something, that if you want to throw the money into it, could produce a pretty decent piano. Give Rich a call at Cunningham's and just ask what a rebuild would cost.

You can use who you want, but if you're going to spend the money and expect a quality result, you need a good shop...And that ain't cheap.