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Antique Pianos/1942 Baldwin Grand 88 key
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Question
I have an opportunity to purchase from a relative (yikes!) a 1942 Baldwin grand (baby grand?) piano. The finish is mahogany--needs tuning but was played regularly 5 years ago. I looked at Steinway/Esser/Boston at a local store. Where does Baldwin fall into line in quality with these three? Was 1942 a good year? I assume they were made by hand in America back then which would be better than a more current model not made by hand? I want a grand style piano for my children to play. They are 5 and 7, and I want to make this purchase ONCE. Is $3500 too much to pay? Will this model require considerably more maintenance than say a 2011 Esser 51" grand? I hate to spend $11000 on something that ultimately is lower quality than what I might find in purchasing the Baldwin from my cousin, but I also don't want to make up the difference in maintenance over 10 years. Thank you for your time. I don't play so I am in very unfamiliar territory.
Hi Teresa,
Thank you for contacting us. I would recommend the Baldwin above any Essex or Boston piano as they are not in the same class as Steinway. Steinway is far and away the premier brand with Baldwin a notch below and Essex and Boston below Baldwin. With that said, Baldwin is a very good piano brand with a quality sound and the price is fair. You hit the nail on the head about how the pianos back then were made by hand! Today pianos are mass produced in factories often using lesser quality parts. If you want something without any worries for years down the road (the Baldwin may need restoration down the road). I would suggest you take a look at our inventory at the following link. Each piano has warranties of at least five years and can start around the same price as the Baldwin.
http://lindebladpiano.com/gallery.asp
If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.
Sincerely,
Robert Parker
Lindeblad Piano Restoration
101 US Highway 46
Pine Brook, NJ 07058
888.58.PIANO (74266)
www.lindebladpiano.com
www.one-gospel.org
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thank you for your thorough and expeditious response! I will feel much more confident when I go to see it Saturday and will definitely take a look at your inventory should my cousin's piece not have the aesthetic I have in mind. Thanks again! Teresa | ||
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Todd Lindeblad
Expertise
What is the value of vintage piano. How to find out the year a piano was built. How to locate the serial number on a piano. Is a vintage piano worth restoring. What work is needed to be done to fix a piano. Additional information, diagrams, and restoration tours on pianos can be found at: http://www.lindebladpiano.com/piano_info.htm.
Experience
Piano Restoration Specialist. My family has been in the piano restoration business since 1920. I am now the fourth generation and have worked in the piano business my whole life. You can read about our family history at the following link: http://www.lindebladpiano.com/about.htm
Education/Credentials
Learned from my father since I was a teenager. I have now been working in the piano restoration business specializing in the sale and restoration of vintage pianos for about 15 years.
Past/Present Clients
Stanford University, City of Sacramento, Roanoke Civic Center, Piano Teachers, Musicians
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