Repair or purchase new piano?

[syrah]

I have limited budget for my piano lessons, my objective is to find the most cost effective way to have a proper sounding instrument so I could carry on with my practice.

We have a Baldwin Hamilton in the house for about 13-14 years, no one really uses (or touches) the piano until recently I began to take piano lesson. I found out the sound quality is in a very bad shape (the c is now @ the c# key, and the sound is very distorted). My question is can it be restored? Someone told me it will take several tune-ups and it'll not guarantee sound quality will improve. Or should I just buy a keyboard to save all the hassle?

Any input is appreciated.

[silverwoodpianos]

The shortest route is to improve what you have now.

The instrument has been neglected for service and the pitch level is off.

The strings in any piano are highly elastic and will expand and contract with the ever-changing environmental conditions.

For best results, call your favourite local piano technician and have him/her bring up the pitch level to A440 across the entire scale. The let the instrument stretch out for a minimum of 21 days and then fine tune it.

Of course the more you play it while it is stretching out the better the second tuning is. That is if you can tolerate the sound for three weeks or more…..

 So you are looking at the cost of two tunings. At the same time I would have the tuner remove the keyboard and action and vacuum out the key bed, along with the pedal area.

A Baldwin Hamilton is a pretty durable machine. Shouldn’t be too much wrong with it...maybe a few sticky keys.

Prior to commencing any work, have the technician inspect the instrument for viability as a good machine for use.

[john90]

I would go for a clean and tune up too. Even if the tuner says it is marginal, at least you know the history of it, why it is out of tune, and don't have moving costs. Try not to be too critical to start with, get some hours playing in. A tune up every 3 months at the start  should still cost less than rental. Plus you get a quality brand, and not some cheap import.

[jimbo320]

Listen to Silverwood for sure!

[syrah]

Thank you guys, glad to hear that the piano can be repaired, I will call up a tech this afternoon.

One question for you Silverwood, is the process you describe a very technical labor? I'm wondering whether I should seek recommendation for the very best tech in town or would any tech able to do this job (there are tons on the newspaper ad I'm looking at right now)?

[silverwoodpianos]

Word of mouth is the best way to find someone in any trade. This way you have a technician who has already completed satisfactory work on a colleague, friends, or music instructor’s instrument.

While any tuner can do a pitch raise and cleaning, I would suggest asking people you know well who already have a serviceperson they are satisfied with.

Best of luck

[keys60]

Hamiltons are a nice piano IMHO. Respecting Mr. Silverwoods opinion is a wise choice.
If I may so humbly add, raising pitch could wind up snapping a few strings, which your tech will charge you for. Not to worry. A few strings doesn't cost an arm and a leg. A few glued parts may come apart, like a jack flange which sounds like a lot to the layman, but is really nothing to the experienced tech. Its routine repairs for a piano that hasn't been serviced for a long time. If you can, budget at least a few hundred for the service. You'll still be way ahead of the game. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

[syrah]

thanks for all the response, I printed out the thread and avoided someone trying to rip me off.

Finally I found a reputable tech and got it tuned for $65.. expecting my second tune this week. Now I can practice piano properly, thanks all

[keys60]

Oh absolutely keep the Hamilton if it is not in dire need of repairs. I'm a fan of the Hamilton. Its a workhorse of an instrument with really nice projection. If you have a school or institution nearby that has a few pianos, you can ask what technician they use or you can try the Piano Technicians Guild   www.ptg.org and try to search on out in your area. Some non registered piano technicians can do a pitchraise and repairs (such as myself) and a registered technician is more than likely of higher caliber technician. Like Mr. Silverwood stated, word of mouth from satisfied customers works best.
Anyway, the cost of selling and/or moving your piano out and a newer one in will far surpass getting a pitch raise. Its a common practice for pianos that haven't been touched over the years. A few strings may snap (they can be spliced or replaced, preferably spliced) and a few glued parts like flanges may come loose (they can be reglued) but again, this is commonplace for the technician and is overall basic maintenance for a piano with some age on it.

All the best.

Curtis

[keys60]

Oy. I didn't even realized I had posted to this already. Sorry.

[pianoplayjl]

I reckon it depends how extensive the damage is. in this case I think you can fix it.

[lhommearme]

I have owned 2 Hamilton-Baldwins. The Timex of pianos.

[keys60]

I have owned 2 Hamilton-Baldwins. The Timex of pianos.

Good analogy.

[dedilya]

I agree with everybody who suggests to keep your piano. While having the tech repairing and tuning you piano you may want to ask him/her to install some climate control device and also keep a general humidity in your music room between 45-55% with dehumidifier in summer and humidifier in winter. I hope that you piano will flourish. Best of luck!