Woo hoo! I've got a piano!

[Alden_Sloe]

For a while we thought about getting a new piano, but my wife and I both seem to prefer older pianos with a bit of character. The piano is a 1938 5' 5" Baldwin grand. Presumably made to compete with the Steinway Model M. This was made back in the days when Baldwin was really good.

What? When did Baldwin stop making good pianos? I learned to play back in the 60's-70's and we always had "old" stuff so I grew up thinking all Baldwins are great pianos. The one's I heard and played were uprights and they sounded pretty good. Your's, well, it's just Grand

We've inherited a Mason & Hamlin grand and have a Mason & Hamlin upright. They're both ~100 years old but I'm not itching to trade either in on a new piano any time soon. Why, the grand was rebuilt not more than 40 years ago

 

[bsr2002]

Here ya go. I'll take some in the daytime when the light is better.

Cheers,

Otto

DAMN!!!! I would love to own that Beast

 

[dragonworks]

I was thinking lately if I ever finished my downstairs I would pick up one of those freebee pianos you see all the time on craigslist. Now that I just thought about it, I don't believe I can get it through the door. Better check that out before I go and pick one up ya think?
Nice Piano by the way.

 

[Alden_Sloe]

FYI there's a free baby grand on the Seattle Craigslist right now. Just jack up the house and drop in the piano. You'll want the higher ceiling anyway for acoustics, right

I was thinking a free upright, one that's beyond hope mucicaly would make a nice console and/or rack for home recording gear.

 

[IronFlippy]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you to tune it? I have an old 1903 Mason and Hamlin upright that hasn't been tuned in about 10 years . It probably needs several tunings to get the strings at the right tension again, but I'd like to know what I'm in for, monetarily (is that a word?).

btw, I'm wicked jealous of you right now, that thing looks awesome. Looking forward to the obligatory sound clips!

 

[A Reel Person]

Dude!

Sweet!

 

[DAS19]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you to tune it? I have an old 1903 Mason and Hamlin upright that hasn't been tuned in about 10 years . It probably needs several tunings to get the strings at the right tension again, but I'd like to know what I'm in for, monetarily (is that a word?).

btw, I'm wicked jealous of you right now, that thing looks awesome. Looking forward to the obligatory sound clips!

I just got my old upright tuned for the first time in 30 years... mannn the thing goes out of tune in a month. My piano guy charges 90 dollars each time to tune it no matter how long it takes. I think this is a pretty good deal considering the first time it took him almost 2 hours to get into tune. Its annoying though because it probably wont stay in tune until I move out of hte house and have a house of my own to put it in which it probably a good 10 years. I guess I have to keep tuning it every year and eventually it wil stay in tune. Ive already had it tuned twice and its not cheap soo once a year is all I can really afford.

 

[ofajen]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you to tune it? I have an old 1903 Mason and Hamlin upright that hasn't been tuned in about 10 years . It probably needs several tunings to get the strings at the right tension again, but I'd like to know what I'm in for, monetarily (is that a word?).

My tech charges $75 for a typical tuning. That's probably typical in this area. It may be higher or lower depending on the area and the particular tech. He did some touch up tuning last week without really charging for it. The string leveling, and perhaps some of the other tweaking, caused some of the notes to shift out of tune.

I also had my tech install a humidity control system before ever having it tuned. That helps the piano stay in tune between tunings by maintaining consistent humidity around the soundboard. Those things cost about $400 plus installation fees for a grand piano, but over the long term they are a bargain.

BTW, don't hold your breath for sound clips. I'm not very impressed with my playing right now. At least I'm practicing a little bit most days.

Cheers,

Otto

 

[Alden_Sloe]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did it cost you to tune it? I have an old 1903 Mason and Hamlin upright that hasn't been tuned in about 10 years . It probably needs several tunings to get the strings at the right tension again, but I'd like to know what I'm in for, monetarily (is that a word?).

It's been about six years since we had our Mason & Hamlin upright tuned. The grand we let "settle in" for a few months after moving but it never sounded out of tune even after the move. Both of these pianos have been in the family for longer than I've been alive and both have a remarkable ability to remain in tune no matter what!

I don't know if our tuner charges more for the grand than an upright but getting the grand tuned this last time was ~$90 if I remember right.