Hello Everyone,

A friend of mine has a 1994 Baldwin R grand piano (I assume R because it has big R above the S/N, which is 318422) sitting in her living room for a few years. The piano actually belongs to someone else, but now the owner wants to sell it. So she wants to know the fair price of the piano. Of course, the value of a piano highly depends on the condition of the particular piano. But I would like to know the some back ground information to decide if she should even consider before hiring a technitian to look at it. I had a chance to play it a few weeks ago. The keys felt quite out of regulation and the piano generated tinny sound of an old piano. Of course these can be corrected, but does it worth it?

Based on my limited reading, the quality of Baldwin pianos deteriorated from the 1980s, when they moved manufacturing to Mexico. Is that true? This particular model was also manufactured in Mexico? Now owned by Gibson, how is the reputation of the Baldwin pianos these days.

Sorry for these naive questions, but can anyone help enlighten me?

Thanks.

Private sale... maybe around $10k maybe more? Usually the quality is good but every piano could be different. Have a tech check it out if you are serious, but don't buy it unless you are 100% comfortable.

I would guess between 10 and 15k depending on the condition, local market, etc. Baldwin still made a lot of great pianos up until the closing of the US factory under Gibson a few years ago. The used ones tend to be undervalued in the market, compared to other pianos of comparable quality.

I'm no authority on used piano prices, or anything else regarding pianos, but I'd say the actual selling price might be more like $5000 to $8000, depending on condition. The next size up from the R, (5'8") is the L (6'3")... it might go for the $10K to $15K if in pristine condition.

I got outbid on a mid 1990's Baldwin model L that a local church was selling on eBay. The high bidder got if for $4600.

Good luck.

Rick

Which, of course, makes them an EXCELLENT value !!!

Yes, that's why I was thrilled to find the one I now own! After looking at dozens of pianos new and old, there was nothing that even came close for the price.

Going back to the OP's question about Mexico, my understanding is that some parts were made there and shipped to the US factory, and that there were some quality control issues, mostly reparable. I don't think these were as bad or pervasive as the Steinway problems with teflon action parts a few years earlier. To keep things in perspective, it's worth remembering that Baldwin had been competing seriously with Steinway for quality--so even if there was some slippage, we're talking about a high-level piano.

When I was looking for a grand for my daughter a few months back, I had come across a superb sounding Baldwin model L from 1991 or thereabouts at Carnes in San Jose. I was really tempted, but thankfully sensibility prevailed. It was just a tad too big for the space I had available. I got a 5'8" piano, which is a perfect fit in the space I have available. Since you are in the bay area, I thought I would mention that.

Thank you everyone for the input.