I have not consistently played the piano for 20 years...had a kimball upright, I understand they are "intermediate" pianos. All I care about it the tone. I looked at a Hardman from 1940-1947, serial #98355, out of tune, but LOVED the tone. Any opinons? I had never heard of them until Saturday.

Thanks.
earlybird

Good News! I think you have found a rare gem. My Blue Book of Pianos tells me that: This NY made piano has a world wide reputation for being a quality instrument. This piano has been the official piano of the NY Metrapolitan Opera House for at least the last 14 years.

Better News! you have come to the right place for more information. I'm sure you can get some first-hand knowledge from others far more experienced than myself over on the "Piano" side of this forum.

Good Luck!

For a classically trained player who grew
up with an acoustic piano, it is natural
to want a similar acoustic when he
restarts after a long time away from
playing. But in your warm memories of
those yrs. playing as a child, all you
remember is the fun part, the playing,
because back then your parents took care of the
realities of owning an upright: the
tuning, at least twice a yr. at around
$90-$150 each today; the weight, which
requires hiring movers just to get it
into, or out of, your house; the noise--
an acoustic can be heard a block away
and will drive the neighbors, not
to mention the people in the house,
nuts if you live in an apt., condo, or
townhouse; the repairs--stuck keys
and buzzing strings are common on
acoustic pianos; the archaic design,
which hasn't changed significantly
in 150 yrs.--in particular, the tuning
pins are held by friction only in
a wood pin block, and if the pins
start to slip in their holes the instrument
can no longer be tuned.

This is why I no longer bother with
acoustic pianos. I grew up with classical
lessons and acoustic pianos only, but
now I play digitals and I like them better.
I have a top-of-the-line acoustic upright
stored away--a similar model today would
be in the ~$20,000 price range--but I
don't even think about taking it out of
storage, because I find digitals to be so
superior in every way for practical,
everyday playing.

earlybird - I agree, you seem to have found a very nice piano. I bought my piano about 9 months ago after playing on a digital keyboard for several months. The digital keyboard was nice, but it was no substitute for a real piano.

By the way... Earlybird,

Welcome to the forum.

earlybird,[/b]

I second the welcome of you by Ivory Dreams to the forum. I wish you much happiness with your Hardman acoustic, if you decide to acquire it. You may wish to enquire in the "Piano Forum" to get more information concerning your interest in this Hardman piano.

Ivory Dreams,[/b]

I don't wish to embarrass you in any way, but I wish to comment on your beautiful choice for a user name. It evokes wonderful thoughts of masterfully played piano music. It brings thoughts to me of the great classical and romantic composers with their accompanying harmonious melodies. Yours is a superlative choice that surely reflects upon you.

Sincerely,

Lisztener

WHAT CAN I SAY... Thank you. The name Ivory Dreams was the first thing that came to my mind when I joined the forum. Because, I dreamed of owning and playing a piano for most of my childhood.


My father felt any music education was a waste of time, as hard work and only hard work would allow me to provide successfully for myself. My mother's family were all amazingly talented artists and played multiple instruments by ear.... No piano lessons for me.

By the time I could have made those decisions for myself: I found myself with a career, a family and a home to occupy my every waking moment.... No piano lessons for me.

When I retired from a "glad to be gone" career and stopped for about 15 seconds to think about what I wanted to do with the second and "best" part of my life..... It happened.

Finally... A piano!!!! And piano lessons for me!

Life is SO GOOD!

Thank you guys for ALL your comments, they actually GIVE away pianos on craiglist all over the central NJ...what a pity. BUT I want this Hardman. I appreciate the person who said he went "digital" I cannot get same joy as I do from an acoustic. I was classically trained up to the age of 18 and cannot see playing Beethovens Sonata Pathetique on a digital. I tried them, but your point about noise is one i must factor in with two tone deaf people living with me. Cannot wait to start my Hanon and Bach inventions as a warm up to bigger and better things. You guys are great!

Thanks for all your help and kindness...

earlybird