Baldwin 40" console upright vs. 43" Baldwin Hamilton

[pbiswas]

Hi,

We are novices and looking for a piano for our son who has been learning for a few years and his teacher wants him to start practising on a 'real' piano.

We have seen a Baldwin 40" console and 43" Baldwin Hamilton. They are both about the same age - 25 years old. They both play fine. The 40" one is slightly more beat up but is significantly cheaper ($1200) than the Hamilton ($2000). The Hamilton is plain but cleaner and sounds brigher. We are not sure how to compare and figure out if the Hamilton is worth the extra.

BTW, the person selling the 40" Baldwin called it a Hamilton too but we did not see it written anywhere except for badwin the center. The 43" Hamilton had Baldwin written in the middle and Hamilton written on the right side. Can anyone sheld some light on how to identify the exact model?

For a beginner student what should we looking for? What is important for his learning?

Thanks.

[gfiore]

  The 43" is the true Hamilton, model 243. It is a workhorse of a piano, and the better piano of the two. $2,000 is a little high for 25 years old. I'd offer $1,800,it's going to cost you between $200-300 to move it. So make a lower offer.

[pbiswas]

Many thanks Gfiore,

I was wrong with the dimensions. The piano is 45" and the model number is most like 0249-020218 R or that is what is written next to the serial  number.  We have made an offer of  $1700 and the owner accepted it. We have yet to ok on it. Yes, the cheapest shipping that I could find is $275.