Could anyone provide their opinion of the better resources for pre-owned pianos (baby grands) in the Dallas Texas area. My son's piano teacher has strongly recommended he "graduate" to a grand action.

I am already aware of Craigslist, but would prefer a reputable dealer(s) or piano technicians. Since there are so many different makes, models and opinions of each, our preference on brands would be towards the more commonly known(Steinway, Boston, Yamaha, Kawai, Schimmel, and possibly others)with less interest towards the "stencil" or Chinese versions.

Thanks! ...

I bought my Schimmel at the Dallas Piano Warehouse back in '06 (as far as I know, they're still a Schimmel dealer) and had a nice experience overall. I have no idea as to their inventory of new vs. used pianos at this time.

Encore Pianos in Plano

You sound like a smart shopper, Christopher'sDad. It's great to know your son is doing that well with his music, and that you're helping to make it happen. I guess you don't need any reminder that Ft. Worth is Cliburn's hometown. A place great things can happen.

I suggest a visit to Peter Collora Piano in Denton. They are the dealer for Bosendorfer, Mason & Hamlin and Estonia among others. Very nice people to deal with, fair pricing and good selection of new and used pianos.

Jack Whitby in Dallas ( http://www.jackwhitbypiano.com/ ) has several used Yamaha. I haven't purchased from them directly, but based on my son's music school have used them for tuning. They seemed like they are what you are looking for so far as having a selection of used instruments.

I also believe Grand Staff pianos (the dealer for new Yamahas in DFW) have a selection of used as well.

Hope this helps...good luck!
Mark

Thanks to you all for the information. This will give us a good source for some "field work" during the next couple of weekends. Please feel free to continue!

Thanks again ...

I'd second Peter Collora -- I no longer live in Dallas, but he worked on my piano when I lived there. He is a fine fellow...

In fact, if you do find a piano (refurbished or whatnot), I'd recommend you have Peter check out the instrument before buying. I wish I would have done that, but I didn't know Peter at the time.

(I no longer own an acoustic piano.)

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I have contacted all the recommendations and, in the process, located a Yamaha C3 (about 35 years old - Grey mkt) that has been reportedly re-worked by Doremi. The dealer is offering delivery, a tuning and (incl tax)a final price of $14k. At this point I have not had an independent tech inspect the piano. Is this something to pursue?

$14K seems high for a 35 year old C3 - even if it has been "reworked" (Whatever that means). Did they even make the "C" series 35 years ago???

Christopher's Dad - Have you checked with the Family Music Center on Industrial Blvd near downtown Dallas? If you look on their website - under used pianos - they have a variety of interesting instruments - including a 1912 Mason and Hamlin BB for $20,000. They also have used Steinways, Baldwins, Yamahas, etc. You really should check this out !!

Well ... on the advice of some here on the Forum and elsewhere, I kept looking. I have now found a Kawai KG3 (I think its a D) built around 1986. The dealer can deliver it for $12k, including tax, warranty, etc. It is also a Doremi import. It looks great. However, I am not experienced by any means. And, I have yet to have it inspected by a 3rd party.

Thanks for any help.

Sounds a little high for the KG3. I've seen KG5's on ebay for that price or less, that have also been reworked.

We have a KG5 at our church and they are excellent pianos. I believe ours is around 1982 and has never been reworked, other than being regulated and tuned at least every 6 months.

That is what I thought. But, the price does include Ceasar's cut (sales tax). Yet, it also includes our trade-in of a Baldwin Classic console. Hmmmmm...

Oh yes ... and one more find. There is a local technician with a Yamaha G2 (late 60s build) that he is replacing the hammers and some of the other parts (he showed me - but I don't remember the part name). He essentially would build/regulate it to my son's needs. He is asking $12k (before tax)and we would sell the upright on our own. The rest of the piano looks beautiful. Just another possibility.

Christopher's Dad -

Given a choice, I'd steer clear of a Yamaha or Kawai grand built in the mid 80s - or earlier - particularly if the piano's history is unknown. The prices you are being offered are not that exceptional.

I was just at McBrayer's Award Piano in Fort Worth yesterday. They specialize in the complete rebuilding and restoration of the best vintage American made pianos such as Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, Chickering, Knabe, Baldwin. Prices are very good. I am curtently working with Monte their on a restoration of my grand.

Thanks for the recommendations. I will be expanding to the Ft. Worth dealer this weekend. So far, ALL of the pianos I have found within our budget are gray market. That is not necessarily a deal killer, but I do find it interesting that there is such a scarcity of N. American models available.

Too much money for a 35 yr old piano. I would assume the teacher wants your son to have a good action - not a loose or worn-out action. I would never purchase a re-built (do you know exactly what this means?) mass=produced piano. Be sure you know who did the work.

Just got back from spending the day in Dallas looking for a Grand piano. ( new or used) Steinway hall on Central between Mockingbird and Knox has a few used. They have a new Essex 5ft 4 in for a little over 10K. Sound was OK for baby grand, but action wasn't that nice.

I went to Ft. Worth to look at a 1989 gray market G3 on craigslist for $8,500. Loved the piano, was at lunch about to contact movers and technician to check it out and got a call. The wife changed her mind and doesn't want to sell the paino after all!! :-( bummer.

Grand Staff has a new Yamaha GB1 for around 11 to 12 K range delivered.

I will try some of the other placed on this post!

Well, I can see we still have some looking to do.

In the meantime - Can anyone tell me the production age of a Baldwin L serial no. 341639? We found one my son really loved (responsive action, great sound and near perfect condition).

Thanks!

1996

Thank you - that confirms the year.

Now can a few of you provide an opinion of that particular vintage Baldwin L. The one we saw appeared pristine, with very limited use, recently regulated and a new satin finish.

Some of the prior posts both here and elsewhere were not complementary of recent Baldwin quality. And, some were equally complimentary.

So, what should we expect?

And now for something completely different (Pythonesque). Can a good piano tech, while rebuilding and/or regulating a piano, adjust the action to the tastes of the player. For example; can a Yamaha G2 (being partially rebuilt with new hammers, strings, and shanks) be adjusted to feel similar the Baldwin L noted above?

Thanks for everyone's help.

a well regulated Balwin R and a Yamaha G2 should have a similar feel. Our former church replaced a fairly new Baldwin L with a Yamaha C6 and the feel was very similar, althought the Yamaha had a little lighter touch.

Sound wise though, the Baldwin L should have a much more pleasing bass and low tenor than the smaller G2. If given a choice between the 2, I would take the Baldwin if it's in pristine playing condition.

The quality of Baldwin grands was very good in 1996 - and they were still being highly rated by Larry Fine in his 2001 Piano Book. If you can afford the Baldwin, I would certainly buy it over a partially rebuilt G2.

The best price (so far) on the Baldwin L is $15k. But, after some research and calculations, I am probably going to pass. It is just a little high as well as a little beyond our budget. Although, our son did love the feel of the piano and the sound.

Maybe I can talk them down a bit more. But, there are other possibilities. That is why I was asking if other pianos can be adjusted to a particular "feel".

Highly recommend you contact Yoori Marti at Steinway Hall (the Dallas store), even if you buy somewhere else. She was the most knowledgeable and honest salesperson I’d dealt with by far, and I’d dealt with almost all the dealers mentioned in other posts. I’m an engineer and serious musician (formerly a semi pro trumpet player, long story) just getting back into piano. I really appreciated that Yoori was not only a very accomplished musician, but had a total grasp of the technical aspects of piano construction. I ended up buying a Boston grand just a little bigger than the Yamaha G2 (I think) that I already had. The difference was stunning, and I get full credit if I want to trade for a Steinway sometime in the future. My $0.02.

Christopher's Dad -

Just curious. How old is you son, how long has he studied, and how advanced is he? (i.e., what repertoire is he playing now that requires a grand piano action?). Is he serious about continuing his piano studies?

I realize this is none of our business, but your responses may help us provide better advice.

Regarding the possible "adjustments" you mentioned above. There is a current thread called "Estonia action - heavy to light" that may provide some insight into this issue. I would encourage you to read through it.

Best -

I don't mind the questions at all! My son is 12 and his teacher (and us) want to get him into a grand action, as he has plateaued on his current piano. He is currently practicing on a Baldwin Console. A nice beginner piano. But, when he plays on a properly regulated grand, his performance notably improves.

He is currently playing some Kuhlau, Chopin, Bach, Clementi and others. He has been playing almost 4 years. But, has not really excelled until this past year (new/much better teacher). He loves to play, but practicing ... not so much.

The Baldwin L he played (after literally trying some 40+ pianos)has been one he expressly noted as "having the touch and response" he liked - well above many others (including some other Baldwins). He did compare it as the closest to some Steinways, a new Mason Hamlin and an $180k Bosendorfer all of which are just a little beyond our capabilities (Ha!).

I am not at all musical. We are blessed to have several people helping us. Yet, it is amazing the diverse opinions (honest ones)that are out there. So, I must get as much information as possible. We don't mind spending the money. But we essentially have one shot, as there is just not enough resources to correct a mistake later.

So if the Baldwin is too risky (and right now just a little too expensive and we have not yet had it checked by a 3rd party), I wanted to find out if other possibilities could actually be "adjusted" to his needs. This might get him a piano he will "gravitate" towards.

This forum has been a wealth of information and I really appreciate it! Sorry for the long response.