1965-79 (American) Steinway L/O or late 90's-2000 Baldwin L ???

[onesurfer1]

The ('65-'79) SS model L is 5'10.5" and the (1999-2000) Baldwin is 6'3".
Both of these pianos sell for close to the same price range around $12,000-$15,000 USD.

Do you think they are an equal comparison or would you prefer one over the other?
If i were to buy a Baldwin, I was told to change the bass strings and the hammers to Wurzen (cold pressed) hammers.  The originals of the baldwin during these times were harder than normal to compete with the yamahas and kawais.  Wurzen hammers would give it the original Baldwin sound.

[visitor]

Generaly speaking, and all thinfs being equal i would loom for newer and well maintained vs older
 Also howuch total play and who played on it, a lightly used home instrument that was more furniture than anything will be better than something thst was puounded on for 5 hrs a day

I personally like baldwins a lot and a newer one would be awesome
  I however believe that 14k sounds really high, is that a dealer retail quote?  There is not a big premium on the name. Even pristine i would be more in the 8 or 9k range private sale or 10-11 retail that that number from a dealer would have to include deliver w set up and initial prep of the instrument and tuning

I recall looking at a baldwin L brand  new ar a dealer and they had it on sale special for about 14k and that was new never owned, used i would be several grand below the price you listed.  I would fuss w the hammers if they are good. If you dobt like the sound have a good tech work voicing.

Not familiar with the hammers you described, my grand has abel hammers and ive been just happy and fine w them.

Btw if you are looking at american in that size and range, i would keep eyes open for a motivated seller looking to unload a charles walter grand. I put the a notch above baldwin and up there is quality w good steinway and Mason hamlin, they are heirloom quality instruments and i loved every single onei played

[visitor]

Btw if you are looking at american in that size and range, i would keep eyes open for a motivated seller looking to unload a charles walter grand. I put the a notch above baldwin and up there is quality w good steinway and Mason hamlin, they are heirloom quality instruments and i loved every single onei played

ie if a private sale individual was  selling one of these in the less than 27K range, in this condition and about this old or newer, i'd jump on it in a heart beat
https://www.pianomart.com/buy-a-piano/ad.php?ad_id=21049

here are the two models i absolutely love. even with bad audio and non prepped (ie tuning is a bit wonky) you can hear some good ton quality and coloration even with a 'less than pro' level of playing and recording acoustics.
they are phenomenal instruments

[iansinclair]

As I have said before -- pick the one which you, personally, prefer the feel and sound of.  They are both good instruments, but they are quite different in both feel and sound.

At this price range, you are not buying an appliance or a piece of patio furniture or a brand.  You have to love it.

[onesurfer1]

  I however believe that 14k sounds really high, is that a dealer retail quote?  There is not a big premium on the name. Even pristine i would be more in the 8 or 9k range private sale or 10-11 retail that that number from a dealer would have to include deliver w set up and initial prep of the instrument and tuning

you're right.  The Baldwins are at $8k for 1970's and $12k for late 1990's.  The Steinways start at 12k-16k for 1960's-70's.