Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Questions on selling my Baldwin L 6'3" Grand Piano

I wanted to get some input from the community on a piano I purchased about a year ago.

The Piano:
* Baldwin L 6'3" Grand
* Serial #: 118331
* Built in 1952
* Real Ivory Keytops in excellent shape, especially considering the instrument's age
- I don't see any cracks in the soundboard
- No structural issues that I can find
- Action feels really good, but obviously will need some regulating

Link to pictures of the instrument

I don't have much detail on the history of the piano's life. I bought it from a young couple on facebook, who said that it was in a church prior to them getting it. I get the sense that it hasn't been heavily used, but can't say for certain. The finish looks to have been mahogany originally, but was refinished at some point in it's life. It does look lovely in my retail-space-turned-livingroom.


My Situation:
When I got it, I had just settled into my new home with plenty of space for it, and I was ready to graduate to something better than the digital I had been using for a few years. Purchase price + moving fee ended up being around $4,000.

Unfortunately, due to loosing my job in Nov. to downsizing, among other uncertainties that followed, I don't know when I'll have the means to give it the TLC to bring it up to spec, or the proper space for it to live in, as I will likely end up moving.


So the questions I have are:
a) Is it reasonable to try to recover the $4,000 I have in it, or what is a reasonable asking price?
b) What is the best avenue to potentially sell it? Local piano stores, technicians, craigslist, facebook, etc...
c) Are these Baldwins good candidates for restoration?

I realize that I will need to get a technician to do an accurate appraisal, just wanting to get some general input.

Thanks in advance!

So the questions I have are:
a) Is it reasonable to try to recover the $4,000 I have in it, or what is a reasonable asking price?
Yes. If that fails, reduce the price till it sells.

b) What is the best avenue to potentially sell it? Local piano stores, technicians, craigslist, facebook, etc...
All of the above. CL and FB are free. Piano World has a classified ad section for pianos, but there is small fee. Also Piano Mart is good, but a small fee.

c) Are these Baldwins good candidates for restoration?
It depends on who you ask, but I'd say yes, in my opinion.

Sorry to hear of your unfortunate circumstances. But things will get better in time...

Good luck!

Rick

I'd suggest getting it cleaned (internally) and tuned, and then advertise it as a freshly tuned Baldwin L Artist Grand for $4k. Consider getting a short written statement of condition from the technician, and use it if it's a positive report. I think getting after the hammer reshaping and regulation it obviously needs, would be not worth the investment in this situation (although it would certainly improve the touch and tone). Drop the price gradually based on how quickly you have to get it sold.

In addition to the list of places Rick mentioned, I'd contact local teachers or the local music teachers association, if there is one, with a short email ad. There are many people wanting to step up to a low priced grand piano.

Are you certain you can't afford to keep it, ivory? Or can you maybe park this Baldwin somewhere - like a church - for a few years while you get back on your feet? Selling an old piano is a lot of work and a lot of time and a lot of frustration. My guess is that you'll be lucky to get a couple of offers in the $1200 range and this might take you a year of trying, esp. if you go the Craig's List and Facebook ad route. That doesn't mean your instrument isn't worth the $4000 you paid for it to someone, just that selling used pianos is a tough slog even for professionals. And that's before you even consider the current US economy and the virus shutdown.

I don't disagree with the suggestions of Rick and terminal, and do wish you luck, but I also warn you that there are better ways to spend your time than trying to sell a needs-work, Harry Truman-era Baldwin grand privately. You might explore giving it to a piano retailer on consignment.

Yes that's a great idea. When I was looking to buy a piano, I'd have jumped at the chance to be the caretaker for someone's piano for a year or two. It would have given me more experience to decide what I wanted and more time to make the decision. I'd have been willing to pay the moving charges in exchange for knowing I could keep it a minimum of 12 months, or some amount of time that made the cost of moving worth it.

Everyone, thanks for your input and encouragement. I'm gonna try to hang on to it for a bit longer, at least until I have a definite answer as to whether or not I'm moving, and if yes, whether the new place will have space for it.

Thanks again!

Sure, the Baldwin will fit. Buy a futon and sleep underneath the grand - cosy.

Just don't get up suddenly in the middle of the night!

Cheers!

And make sure the legs are attached securely! When I was young, I user to play under the piano as a hideout, but now that I’ve read about accidents involving loose legs I’m quite paranoid... even if it’s a joke.

I knew a pianist from Tokyo who did exactly this with his C3.