Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Grand piano: what would you get for 40k (±10k)?

For whatever collection of reasons, Leonard Bernstein preferred Baldwin and Bösendorfer. Stranger things have happened.

Unjustified is correct. It's not ancient, because it was never true.

+1. It seems like you played some pianos in Portland that you liked a lot more than others. Keep playing them. Or take your cousin up on his offer and play the Baldwin until you have a more firm idea of your preferences for touch and tone, then if you stop loving the Baldwin, start looking again. This way, you are not out of pocket. And that Baldwin is very possibly a lovely instrument.

However, if you’re really determined to make a decision between the AF and the Bechstein, my opinion, for the very little it’s worth, is that if the AF is at all to your liking, it is a much safer option for you than the Bechstein. It is less expensive. You have played it and you like it. You don’t know that you will like the Bechstein. I suspect that no amount of voicing is going to make the Bechstein sound like a Steinway (or whatever your ideal piano is). Also, things can happen in transit, and that Bechstein is going to have to make a long trip to get to Seattle. There was a thread not too long ago about a piano that did not fare well after a trip across the country. In that particular case, the dealer ultimately took the piano back, but I don’t know that everyone would take a piano back under similar circumstances. For me, it gave me considerable peace of mind to know that I had bought a piano from a dealer I’d actually met and who had an excellent reputation. After spending a lot of money, it is very reassuring to feel that if some problem arises with the piano, the dealer is going to help me out. The fact that they are 12 miles away contributes to that peace of mind.
I must also say that I try to avoid any and all situations that would involve litigation as a backup plan… But that’s just me!

I live in Seattle as well, and did daily nationwide Craigslist and Facebook searches for the M&H BB I had in mind: pre-aeolian or post 2000, preferably satin ebony. Was interested in a WNG action, but wasn’t a necessity. I ended up finding one from a dealer and negotiated for 12k. It’s a bit well worn for it’s age, but I’m happy to put the money into it to bring it to the forever piano I was looking for. It arrived last week, and I’m so pleased.

If I hadn’t found this piano, I also had my eye on a recently rebuilt BB from PianoTek

https://www.pianotek.com/shopinstruments/mason-hamlin-bb-grand-piano

I’m also not sure if this Bosendorfer is still available, especially with David Anderson’s recent passing, but it sure is a beautiful piano and was on my list

https://davidandersenpianos.com/pro...-200-67-grand-piano-forsale-los-angeles/

For giggles, there was also a M&H CC available in Georgia on Facebook for around your 40k.

Good luck! Can’t wait to hear more about your search.

-Bryce

OK - I'm intrigued. How old is the BB you purchased for $12K?

2000 😁

Was it that Sf-10 at Michelle's? I really liked that one, but didn't like the keytops, and was turned off when the salesman pretended they were fine. But that thing was a delight to play.

AMAZING. Congratulations !!!!!!!

It was at Pianos Now. I think it was the nicest piano they had, and at a great price!

If you like the piano at Michelle’s make them an offer. They are a fabulous dealer and will negotiate on price, sometimes substantial discounts can be had. If the salesmen turn you off at all, just deal with the owner. Also, let them know what you seek and they may just be able to find it.

+1. If you really like the August Förster 215, make them an offer. $48,000 seems high, but I don't know how old the piano is or how many owners it has had. Like I said earlier, I paid less than $40,000 for a 215 3 years ago, and it was built in 2002 and first sold in 2004 and had 2 previous owners. So maybe that could be a guide for you in making an offer. Also, if you like the Förster, remember they are quite a rare find in the U.S. You aren't likely to encounter another one for some time. Not that you should jump on it necessarily...just pointing out that they so seldom come up for sale in the U.S.

This piano seems like a bargain for 9K.

https://www.pianomart.com/buy-a-piano/view?id=46709

Rich

Indeed it does —- unless you live in Seattle like the OP

There is another shop in Florida with not one, but two Bechstein Bs. Worth a little R&D?

That doesn't look like a BB (unless the image has been squished horizontally)

Guys, I thank you for all the advice given. I don't want to get too early a case of buyer's remorse but I went ahead and bought this '06 BB off Pianomart a couple days ago for 30k (includes delivery). Ultimately, I went with what I thought was the best value play. If for some reason I end up wanting "the ultimate" I can hopefully trade up without losing too much and if I don't like it same thing, can resell and just keep the serviceable Yamaha N1X.

Now to wait for it to show up. Recommendations on placement?

Congratulations ikkiyikki!

I would place it where those boxes are on the floor - with keyboard in foreground and tail towards the window.

Hope you will post a video of the piano in place? and let us hear what it sounds like after a good tuning.

Again, Congrats!

brdwyguy

Wow - you grabbed that one fast (the ad was originally posted on 8/28). Since the $30K includes delivery, and if the piano is as well maintained as the owner claims, I'd say this is a really great deal. As for wanting the "ultimate" you may decide that this BB fits the bill. Congratulations !!!

Congratulations!

Thank you all :-)

I was thinking putting the keyboard on this end but tilting it out diagonally with tail pointing towards the DP in the background. Might be a waste of space though. I was worried about that vent and the sunlight affecting the end as the windows face east. Or is this being overly cautious?