5 Used Pianos You Should Consider Buying

[@LivingPianosVideos]

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[@maurizioscelfo1758]

I've bought a second-hand upright Schimmel C121 in mint conditions and I'm feeling very well with it.

[@Durufle68]

My piano teacher had a Schimmel grand. It was magnificent!!!!

[@TythosEternal]

i grew up with a Kawai baby grand, and to this day nothing feels quite the same. the tone doesn't have quite as much edge as more professional models but the action is simply unmatched, with proper care of course.

[@TucsonBillD]

Robert, an American piano that often flies under the radar is Falcone. Most dealers today think that these are Chinese, but before the Chinese acquired the name (and nothing else) they were built in Haverhill Massachusetts, near Boston. In fact, the photo you showed of the Mason & Hamilton factory was in fact where Falcones were built before the Burette Brothers acquired Falcone. The Falcone piano were built using high quality European components (Renner actions, Kluge keys, and other parts. They only built three models, based on Steinway A, B and D instruments. They are rare… but out there. I own a Falcone 61 grand and my tuner was highly impressed by its design and sound.

[@LivingPianosVideos]

You are absolutely right! There are many American pianos from years ago that can be great instruments provided they are in good condition.

[@swilkobarfingtoniii1642]

'Lauter' is another under appreciated maker from days gone by. I have a friend with a 19th.c. Lauter grand that sounds very warm, soft. It was reconditioned about 20 years ago at a local university that had a 3 year piano restoration studies program. The keys are very slick on that Lauter though, they were probably replaced with plastic and I've never measured them but the keys seem just a teeny bit smaller on that piano. It's an oddity in my friends collection. He has a pre- war Bechstein that I usually gravitate to at his place.

[@kennethteo7974]

I love my refurbished Yamaha U3A, built in 1984. Beautiful tone.

[@clydebermingham121]

The Baldwin Hamilton is actually the very best upright I’ve ever plaid … It’s action felt like a grand touch to me 🙏🏾

[@NN-rn1oz]

I'm buying a 1978 Baldwin SD-10 in excellent condition. Managed to snag a pretty good deal on it because not many people are crazy enough to put a 9' concert grand in their house. It sounds absolutely glorious. And loud (duh!) but so easy to play softly that it's not bothersome.

[@johndouglas7787]

N N I am also crazy enough to put a 9' concert grand in my home. A 1986 Yamaha CFIII. My students and I love it. When you play a concert grand it spoils you for anything else.

[@ronb6182]

Parlor grands are great in the living room. My piano tuner had rebuilt a model A Steinway 6 ' 4 " and it sounded the old sound that is obsolete today. I got to play on it and wanted to restore one like he did. The piano tuner did bring my HP Nelson upright concert grand up to pitch 440. And that is how it sounded like a concert grand. Of course the action needed more work. Dampers needed replaced and could not find them. They had to be made. Well the piano came to Florida and the humidity did it in strings started to snap in the middle of the night. I had to put it out for the bulk pickup. I kept the recoverd keys and the action is up in the. Attic somewhere. 73

[@jessekragiel]

I know this comment is late, but I'm so glad you mentioned the Hamilton. Most all of us learned to play on them, and I still play in churches where a Hamilton sits, perhaps as a secondary piano for students to play along with the main pianist. Also couldn't agree more about the classic Baldwins! Nothing like them. I have a 1988 DH Baldwin MP, which was a colaboration by Yamaha and Baldwin, and it's pretty great, but nothing like an SF10 or even an R made in America!

[@noeliagouty6858]

I had a Baldwin Hamilton for a few years and I loved its rich and brilliant sound. The action was great too.

[@mattnorman8897]

I always liked the sound and action of Wurlitzer pianos, I’ve owned two of them.

[@Quince828]

When I had my teaching studio years ago I rented a Yamaha U1D from the dealer I was associated with. It had been on loan to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and looked like they had perhaps rode the musical ride horses through it lol! But it was a tank and played beautifully. I gave many lessons on it.

[@j.davidtaylor2565]

I agree. I have owned a couple older Asian pianos, and they never satisfied me. I have owned three golden age American pianos and they were all a delight. I still have never owned a Baldwin, but I have played a lot of wonderful older Baldwins. There was an old restored Baldwin H that I almost bought and still think about to this day.

[@ZaneGrayMusicMaster1]

I’ll go right out and buy all 5 of them today, thanks!

[@AbandonedMines11]

Baldwin Acrosonic pianos from the 1970s or so are also excellent. Light action and a very nice tone with bright, sparkling high notes and decent bass notes.

[@doublenickel1000]

Yeah, they're generally acknowledged to be the best of the spinets.

[@Trompudos]

I just got a 1968 Yamaha M2 Japan barely used, great piano

[@MrSweelinck]

Glad you mentioned the Hamilton. Hamiltons were the industrial church and school pianos that were indestructible beasts. What's funny s that I think of the cabinetry as a mid-century modern look. Highly desirable. Meanwhile just after "mid century modern" time, America was producing a lot of "fruitwood and rattan" pianos that really didn't look the part.

[@randynorrie759]

Another great American piano is Charles Walter, if you can find one. I have had my W190 for over 20 years and absolutely love it.

[@cdllc1956]

Older Blüthners too! They are great! I just bought a Blüthner modell 1 9foot concert grand from 1960

[@LivingPianosVideos]

I didn't mention German pianos even though there are a number of phenomenal piano manufactures there because they are usually very expensive if they are in decent condition.

[@cdllc1956]

@@LivingPianosVideos You wont believe it but I got a almost New Blüthner concert grand for under 15.000€

[@espressonoob]

@@cdllc1956 my local art center has an 1890s bluther (2 pedal baby!) in their upstairs intimate art room floor, set off centered in the back for a perfect small performance setting for a good few friends, open to the public (rarely played however). Such a gem.

[@cdllc1956]

@@espressonoob Blüthners are great! The big ones like mine can easily compete Steinway

[@DrChaad]

Robert: Nice & very informative episode. I actually _am_ in the market for a piano, and I am somewhat partial to Kimball, for sentimental reasons. I am wondering if they are worth restoring, and how long a set of strings on them will last, in the Southern California citrus growing region about 5 miles from the coast.

[@katiegrundle9900]

hey robert, what do you think about heintzman and co pianos made in toronto, they were called the steinway of the north.

[@clara7517]

I grew up playing on Heintzman pianos and I love them. The grands seem to have a lighter keyboard action than similarly sized Steinways and Yamahas, which makes them quite expressive. As for longevity, I have a friend that owns a Heintzman upright grand from the 1920s. It was restored once, about 20 years ago and it still sounds amazing.

[@katlover4442]

What are your thoughts about Everett pianos? I have a 6’ Everett grand that was built in 1910. It has a few issues that need to be worked on but it seems to be pretty decent…

[@carolechoff9979]

Yes I keep in tune yearly

[@ashleycollier8994]

i have a 1985 Camball upright piano and it sounds like a grand piano

[@clydebermingham121]

Thanks 🙏🏾 so much , Mr. E 🙏🏾

[@MetaView7]

I love the Baldwins. Model L

[@timothymozingo2436]

What is your opinion on Maynard upright vertical grand pianos.

[@Shooshie128]

Robert, what can you tell us about Boston pianos? Do they have any distinguishing characteristics for a player, positive or negative? I know the history - designed by Steinway and uses some Steinway parts, but manufactured by Kawai. What I want to know is how do they stack up in terms of action, technique and tone?

[@LivingPianosVideos]

This article and video will give you some good information: livingpianos.com/?s=Stencil&submit=Search+Videos Boston is a good Asian production piano. However, buying a piano directly from the manufacturer offers better value.

[@Shooshie128]

@@LivingPianosVideos Thank you for the link!

[@Shooshie128]

@@LivingPianosVideos Thank you for the link!

[@Shooshie128]

@@LivingPianosVideos Thank you for the link!

[@swilkobarfingtoniii1642]

I've tossed around the idea of getting a small sized grand for most of my life, but ultimately the space they would take up has always been prohibitive. The uprights I've owned over the years were ok- but of course, it's just not the same playing experience. I think my next purchase will be an electronic piano- I've been keen on the Casio "Grand Hybrid" for a few years and the newer models seem to be better than ever. I would be interested in Robert's opinion of these instruments. I was wondering if you might be able to compare a few of the newer electronic pianos in your reviews?

[@Mr850man]

check the channel called "PianoForever" also try a Clavinova

[@swilkobarfingtoniii1642]

@Konstantin Ridaya Thanks for the considered reply! I did try out some of the top end Kawai 'Novus' and they were pretty expensive. They were fantastic instruments though. Some of the Casio reviews have kind of pushed me in their direction. I've actually owned a few Casio's over the years, but just the synths. I actually think my mind is made up about a Casio 510. I'll be sad to see my 1910 Marshall and Wendell upright go- but maintenance is getting cost prohibitive. It needs a rebuild and for the money it would cost I could get a decent 5'- 6' grand in much better condition; or a new GP510 and save a few thousand dollars.

[@Mr850man]

@Konstantin Ridaya Thanks for the recommendation, I will check it out

[@janking2762]

Keep an eye on Craigslist and have a piano technician standing by to look at it and advise you. I got a very nice 1996 Baldwin Hamilton free by this method, except for moving and tuning,which I’m happy to do as I get a good instrument and support local businesses.

[@swilkobarfingtoniii1642]

@@janking2762 Your piano is almost 100 years "newer" than mine. From the marks on the inside it looks like the last time the strings were changed was 1946. It's a great old piano, but it's a faded glory. For $8000 I can get the work done that's needed, but that would be throwing away good money at this point. It will go to one of the neighbors. Free Piano.

[@gw1560]

What about a used Charles Walter?

[@LivingPianosVideos]

Charles Walter pianos are very well made and a used one in good condition could be a good choice.

[@bradgriffith8297]

If you want a piano technician to help with an evaluation, what is typically the cost?

[@LivingPianosVideos]

There's a wide range of prices piano technicians charge which also varies in different areas of the country. But I would say that it should probably fall somewhere between $75 and $200.

[@loripattontartol7627]

What about Story and Clark baby grand?

[@LivingPianosVideos]

Story & Clark had different iterations of pianos at various points in their history. Some of them were very nice pianos.

[@nlaznicka]

Don’t need 5 pianos lol but thanks

[@cisium1184]

Maximum is two pianos, one for each hand.

[@thenotsookayguy]

@@cisium1184 You'll need an extra 2 for each leg, and 1 more for your nose, which'll add up to 5 pianos in total.

[@kathykapsner3897]

Sohmer vertical

[@glenbreaks5448]

I bought one new in 1977, the 45" Studio. It came with a 12 year warranty signed by Robert Sohmer! I still have it and play on it all the time. What a piano. The treble is better than a 6' Yamaha grand that I sometimes play on.

[@tonyromano4341]

Robert, would you consider making a video that details the attributes an "artist" Baldwin grand has that differentiates it from the balance of their offerings?

[@LivingPianosVideos]

Artist Series Baldwin pianos refers to their regular lineup of grand pianos which they produced throughout most of the 20th century and into the 21st century: from smallest to biggest: M, 5-feet 2-inches, R, 5-feet 8-inches, L, 6-feet 3-inches, F (later SF-10) 7-feet and D (later SD-10) 9-feet. These were top-tier, hand-built American pianos of the highest order.

[@CarlitoManchego]

I think telling someone to buy a used Yamaha is a bad idea they had recall worthy faults and Yamaha never recalled their Pianos. My advice never buy a used Yamaha

[@carolechoff9979]

FYI Baldwin was started in Arkansas I shall have mind. Love Baldwin!!!

[@LivingPianosVideos]

Baldwin actually started in Cincinnati and later moved to Arkansas.

[@carolechoff9979]

@@LivingPianosVideos they was from

[@carolechoff9979]

Oops they was from then moved they. Yes I was one of there loyal customers. I would there just to play for owner many times.

[@carolechoff9979]

@@LivingPianosVideos sorry typo again!! They moved from Cincinnati to Arkansas opened up a shop there and live there until they close their business I used to play for him quite a bit and I think the husband that owned the company worked on the Piano’s he worked on mine

[@carolechoff9979]

@@LivingPianosVideos Also just to let you know I can reach 10 keys on the piano and sometimes 12 if I really overextend my reach

[@user-gp3hv9fz2d]

Hi Robert, I wanted to ask you what is your opinion on the Pleyel upright piano. I have one 30 years old, studying on it when I was a piano student, and I really love it.Thank you.