Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Baldwin 1997 Model 227 (Model R) advice please

I agree. The small crack in the soundboard seems negligible, but still noticeable to a keen eye.

Also, the small cracks in the bridge, near the bridge pins, exactly as Del's quote describe in TD's post, does seem to be more of a concern. I just went to my music room and checked the bridges on my Baldwin R (which I've already done numerous times, but did it again just to be sure) and did not see any inkling of a crack. (Thank goodness)

I do think the bridge cracks can be repaired by a good technician experienced at such repairs. Or, if the cracks do not currently affect tone or the tuning, and don't get any worse, it might be okay.

I'm not sure one would want to throw the baby (grand:-) out with the bath water, but there is certainly room for further negotiations, in my view.

Rick

I missed the picture link earlier.

I wouldn't pay the asking price given the condition.
I think that the dealer should make the repairs, or discount it steeply.

Thanks so much to everyone here. Spoke with the dealers head tech today. He says I shouldn’t consider the soundboard cracks a problem. On the bridge cracks, he says I should also not see this as a problem because the pins are stable because: (1) they are much longer than the parts that stick out, so the longer part is stable, (2) the wood has settled around the pin further holding it in place, (3) the strings are holding the pins in too, and the cracks are going the right way - it would be bad if they were parallel with the strings. He says it’s actually better to leave as is than do an epoxy repair. In fact he said i can request a repair but I’d be on the line to pay it (approx $500). The agreed-upon price that was already charged to my credit card, pending satisfactory inspection is $6400 which includes everything, tax, delivery, first in home tuning, 100% lifetime trade up and 5-year warranty. They aren’t budging on the price despite these issues being unknown at the time of the sale, their reason being the price is so good they can’t come down any further because of what they own it for. Would the head tech’s description make you all feel comfortable taking it? Btw I know the trade up sounds good and that’s how they stand behind their pianos but I just want to enjoy my piano without the headaches.

In the meantime I also just tried a 2002 Yamaha GC1 in what seemed to me great shape (to be inspected) for $8500 from a private party. Is this a good price? Would you forget about the Baldwin if this one checks out when inspected? I acknowledge it’s comparing apples to oranges but my budget doesn’t give me a lot of options and I’d rather choose one of these than keep looking during COVID, as I know I’d be very happy with either one of these. Looking forward to your thoughts! Thank you!

Odd that they're willing to take even more of your money to fix a "non problem." Sounds unethical to me.

This is why you hire a 3rd party technician who represents your interests, not the dealer's.

I would look for a piano without cracks.

Hello, Elle789,

All the dealer said about the Baldwin R 227, the crack in the soundboard and the small cracks in the treble bridge, are indeed putting a positive (glass half full) spin on the situation. Kind of like a used car salesperson telling you that the dent in the fender, or the crack in the windshield gives the vehicle character. And, the fact that they refuse to budge on the price seems to be prompting you in different direction.

Regarding what the dealer said about the price, I have seen those later model Baldwin R Art Case models listed for sale at a higher price than the dealer is asking, but I assume they did not have the cracks in the soundboard or bridges; those are not minor defects, even if they are "stable" as the dealer says.

Also, saying that the Baldwin R 227 is already discounted heavily may well have some merit. But unless you really love that Baldwin R 227, everything about it, but the defects, I believe I'd look a little closer at the Yamaha GC1. I know the 100% lifetime trade-up policy seems enticing, but you want a piano you can love now, not something else in the future.

If the Baldwin R 227 was in such an environment, or experienced wide swings in humidity, which could have caused the cracks in the first place, there may well be other defects lurking elsewhere beneath the surface.

I agree with Retsacnal, I would expect further discounts on the Baldwin R, and I certainly would not pay an additional $500 to repair the bridge cracks, which the dealer insists are not an issue.

But the choice is yours! Buy the piano you like the best, and one you will be happy with, whether the Baldwin R, the Yamaha GC1 or other.

Good luck, and keep us informed!

Rick

Thank you Rick and Retsacnal for the patient and sage advice!! Will let you know how my search ends!