What piano to buy looking for a used, acoustic baby grand.

[dchristina]

I am looking for a second hand baby grand but need some advice as to the most suitable for a pianist who has not played for some time. Would prefer acoustic and old type of piano.

I am new to this forum and wish to say hello to other members.

Tina.

[stevebob]

I don't know what's available in your locale, but a piano's age and condition are probably more important criteria than specific brands and sizes; many old pianos haven't been maintained well and/or are at the end of their useful lives.  In any event, you should seek out the highest quality you can afford and the longest length that will fit your space comfortably.

When you find an instrument that seems suitable (i.e., plays well, sounds good and the price is right), hire a piano technician to evaluate its condition before you buy it.  You want to be certain that there aren't any hidden problems or areas that are in imminent need of costly repairs.

[dchristina]

Thank you for the advice, I was recently looking at an ebay entry re Mozart-Flugel grand piano but find the price and description very odd. Do you or any other members have any knowledge of this item ?

Tina.

[keys60]

Tina,

That's really a tough question. Pianos are subject to what people like, what they can afford and what condition are they in.
I would never bid on a piano on ebay unless it was from a reputable dealer and guareanteed. Honestly, I still wouldn't do it. You really need to see, feel and play a piano to know what you're getting.
I don't know your budget so its hard for me to tell you where to start. Do not think your going to get a baby grand for under 1k from ebay. You would basically be paying someone to haul their junk.

There are so many decent pianos out there. In the 30's and 40's, there were hundreds of US built pianos, many good, many not.

On the lower to middle end, I would play a Weber, Sohmer, Winter.....Oh good Lord, I could go on for ever. A step up would be Chickering, Knabe,  Baldwin.....then come the big boys. The Stienways, Bechsteins, Boesendorfers, Mason Hamlin. But hey, they can be used up junk to if not well maintained.

Best thing to do is check out all the ads that are in your budget and go there in person, play the piano. Check the action. See if its smooth, level keys, nothing seriously sticking, wear and tear on the hammers and dampers, excessive rust on the strings, keys that don't play, tone, tune, mouse droppings , (no...really) clicks, buzzes, pops, whiz  bangs and whirs.

Don't ever fall for "it needs a good tuning". SO many people think that's all there well worn piano needs. They aren't necessarily trying to snow you. They just don't know any better.

Find something you think you like, they pay a piano technician (preferably a registered technician from the Piano Technicians Guild) or somebody that knows there way around a piano to check it out for you.

Don't forget, these beasts weigh 5-700 lbs. Once its in the house, its gonna be there for a while, so you really need to know what you're getting. Don't be in a rush. Purchasing a piano can really play on your emotions. Most of us have to have it NOW!!!
That's a big mistake. Take it slow and make a wise purchase. It could last you a lifetime.


Sorry for the long winded story without really answering your question.

All the best and keep us posted.

browse here for a start. Ask back about some of the brands you find interesting.

www.pianomart.com

[dchristina]

 Thank you so much for your advice and no it's not longwinded but very accurate. Once you have your heart set on finding the right piano you are correct in the sense we have to have one now and there is a lot of junk out there.
I live in the very North East of England where American Pianos are rare but as my husband is German and I am half Austrian we are looking for a baby grand that in a sense would be part of our heritage, however I am not silly enough to go for anything without doing research into the make etc.
The most recent one I have found is through a private ad and sounds promising it was manufactured by Wilh Steinberg in Berlin and has a lot of history behind it even though it took me a whole day to access the information, all documentation was destroyed during WW11 and the factory owners fled to the UK .
I am not a professional pianist and in fact have not played the piano in over 30 years so I am looking for an instrument that I can re-learn on as a hobby only and do not wish to spend a fortune on a piano, my love has always been for classical music. I have a number of guitars which I can still play and can still read music we have a hoffner, a twelve stringed Yamaha,and another acoustic guitar.
I will let you know what we decide on but in the mean time if anyone has any information on the following pianos I would be extremly grateful.
1 Wilh Steinberg
2 Selinke & Sponnagel ( polish I think )

Thanks again.
Tina.

[dchristina]

Just to update I am now the proud owner of a six foot boudior grand 1927 Brinsmead piano purchased from ebay on a whim it has a fabulous tone and cost as much to transport as it did to buy.
The piano transporters are also restorers for Steinway and Beckenstein and were amazed at the quality so I am a very happy with it and now look forward to playing again.

A very happy Christmas to all.

Tina.

[keys60]

Congratulations. You took a risk, but fortunately it is a piano you are happy with. That is the bottom line. You should tune it a few times over the next few months to stabilize it after its move.
Enjoy playing your Christmas tunes.

All the best and Happy Christmas too.

[richard black]

Amazing what one can find on eBay, eh? I emailed a friend who was looking for a piano and mentioned - just in passing - that I had seen one or two instruments of the sort he was looking for. A day later he bought one of them for £500. He spent about the same on minor restoration and it's a very nice instrument. No big-name make, just a decent workhorse from the 1920s (approx.) that's not been overly abused.