My childhood piano - worth getting back?

[neptunebob]

Right now I am interested in learning piano again and maybe even the organ at church. I have an electronic keyboard I am practicing on, but it is not a full length and very limiting - you do not get the sensation of moving the parts as you would with a real piano or a keyboard with "weighted" keys.

My sister has a Baldwin Acrsonic piano from 1966 that we learned on as kids. For decades our mother has guilt tripped us about how much they paid for it (about 1500 then, would be about 4500 now?) and me and my sisters never got good at it. Its over at my middle sisters house. Her kids don't play it, but I would like to and it would cost 250 to have the piano moved and about that much to have it tuned (it is severely detuned). But now my older sister says the piano never sounded that good in the first place and that was one reason why she did not stick with it. I read some on google and it kind of says the same thing.

It still looks nice and I would like to have it (in fact, I will inherit it). But I wonder if I would be paying $250 to move a POS. A music store near me has a used Rhodes electric piano for about 250 but it is not a full length keyboard (it is most of it). Electronic piano keyboards that have the full keyboard can run $500-2000 - the weighted keys cost more. But I might be willing to spend that much if it would be better for me long term. Since a lot you here have keyboards and organs I though I would ask you all for advice.

Thanks

http://0.tqn.com/w/experts/Piano-Organ-Keyboard-650/2009/02/Baldwin-Acrosonic-702866.jpg

 

[dnastrau]

Baldwin Acrosonic

We have the Baldwin Acrosonic that my grandfather bought new for my dad in 1960. Ours holds its tune quite well and seems to be very well made (as it is HEAVY for its size.) I think it sounds very good but it is a different style than the '66 that you have in the picture.

If it is still in good condition mechanically (which it sounds like it probably is) I would get it. If you are concerned that you might not like how it sounds, maybe you can get it tuned and try it out before you spend the additional money to get it moved.

Andrew S.

 

[washernoob]

If you really want it, have a piano tech look over it. It could be at a point where it never can be tuned, or could be very nice.

Spinets are not the greatest pianos. Their actions are sloppy compared to taller uprights.

But Baldwin Acrosonics are regarded as very nice pianos.

But thats only in the name. A steinway piano can be worth $500,000, or $5, depending on its condition. Its hard to put value to an instrument without looking it over carefully. PIanos can be very expensive investments.

Best of luck with it!

A rhodes as you may know is not an acoustic instrument, rather a vintage electric one. My school has a 1970s Rhodes Suitcase 73. It needs quite a bit of attention. Parts are quite rare for these, and very expensive! The actions, if properly set can be decent, but nothing like a new high end digital, or acoustic.

I would say go with an acoustic instrument or the rhodes over a $500 range digital instrument. Good digitals like Yamaha, and Roland with weighted keys can cost up to $5,000. :O

 

[whirlcool]

We had a great piano for about 10 years, a Charles Walter Studio model. We paid $3K for it in 1977 and new they are now about $12K. We regretted selling it, BUT moving from city to city as my job required made it very expensive to schlep that piano all over the country. So around 1983 or so I purchased my first synthesizer A Sequential Circuits Prophet-5. These are a lot easier to carry around and never have to be tuned.

Some synthesizers have weighted keys some do not. I prefer the ones that do. My favorite synth for piano is the Roland A-90, or A-90EX. They keyboard is almost as good as a Steinway in touch and the sound is true digital imaging. It sounds as good as a grand as well. Full 88 key keyboard. I have seen these in pawn shops for around $500-$700.00 depending on shape.

I currently own a Roland XP-80. It's fully expanded as far as sounds and patches go, but it has an organ feel keyboard which I kind of regret getting since I learned how to play piano and never an organ.

 

[washernoob]

For synths, my personal favorite and dream keyboard is a Roland Fantom G8.

Its got faux wooden keys, with ivory feel keytops. Its unbelievable. Very nice keyboard for the price (they are like $4,000 new or so)

The store I bought my conn organ from has a used one for something like $2,999 if you might be interested. They sell stuff online.

www.keyboardkastle.com

Another fantastic- simpler Roland is the RD700NX for $2500.

Yamaha Has a great keyboard too, the MotiF XS (same price as Fantom)

Pianos | Omaha, NE | Keyboard Kastle

Keyboard Kastle in Omaha, NE, is your source for new and used pianos and keyboards! Call 402-593-9400.

www.keyboardkastle.com

 

[kenmore71]

I'm with Washernoob on this. I am a professional pianist and organist for a church and one of the "meeting room" instruments that I am responsible for maintaining (and occasionally practicing on) is an Acrosonic. As spinet pianos go, they are about as good as it gets. IF it is in decent condition (pin block is tight, no major rust on the strings, soundboard not cracked, action not completely out of regulation, no major issues with hammers and felts, to name the biggies...) it is definitely worth the moving cost, especially since it has sentimental value.

I'm not a big fan of electronic "instruments" as a substitute for acoustic ones, but there are some decent deals to be had out there for used weighted-key electronic pianos if you look around. My personal preference for those are the Yamaha Clavinovas (which range in price from $500 for a 15-year old BOL used to well over the cost of decent new accoustic piano) and the Rolands.

 

[a440]

A Real Baldwin!

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Bob,</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">This piano is an example of a "Real Baldwin".  </span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">These little spinets were in my opinion the best spinets that were on the market at the time.  </span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">The sound of these little Baldwin pianos are surprisingly large for such a short string length.  </span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">These little Baldwin's were very popular and I see them everywhere.  Everyone that I have tuned have extremely tight tuning pins.  </span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">The action is a drop action.  Baldwin's in my opinion had the best design on the market at the time.  </span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">I don't think the price is all that bad.  It looks (cabinet) to be in very good shape.  </span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">If it has not been tuned in awhile you will have to do a pitch raise to get it up to A440.  If you don't want to get it to concert pitch, you can have it tuned to "self".  It will be tuned, just not concert pitch.  If the action has not been abused, the only other thing that I would think that might need to be done is have the hammers reshaped.  Voiced so to speak.  All of this "piano work" should not cost you more than $250 bucks.  If it is tuned to A440, this means that the tuner will need to tune it twice.  If they say that he can't get it up to A440 the first time, they are full of BS.  The first tuning will drop quite fast.  Don't let that scare you.  This is normal.  </span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">If you decide to get it to your home, let it sit for a good month to get used to your home environment before tuning.  </span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">If you are serious about learning piano, a real piano is the way to go.  This piano that you are looking at, although small, blows the newer piano's away that are new and this size.</span>

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Brent</span>

 

[neptunebob]

Well thanks everyone, it looks to be a go.

A440,

I was wondering what you mean by "Concert pitch" is that for larger rooms than a living room?  I think I will have a piano technician do the tuning there is no way I could do it my"self".  I should probably vacuum it out inside after they bring it over.  I notice that the "harp" takes up all the space in the cabinet.  I guess the uprights had more space inside?  The tight tuning pins, is that good or bad?

 

Actually the piano in the picture is the same model but not ours.  My sister is just going to letme have it and it will cost 250 to move 30 miles.

 

[washernoob]

Concert pitch means the standard tuning for all instruments. 440 herz. (notice A440s name )

The harp on the innards is what holds all the tension in a piano. Without it a piano could not have as many strings, or hold such tension. Thousands and thousands of pounds of tension are on them.

You do want tight tuning pins! That means they wont slip out of tune.

Leave the tuning to professionals! Lol I tried to tune my pianos. I gave up! lol. There are about 240 strings in the average piano.

Thats 240 strings you would need to tune!

 

[cornutt]

Whirlcool, do you still have that P5?

 

[a440]

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Hi Bob,</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Brandon is correct.  A440 is standard concert pitch.  Around the world.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Tight tuning pins are a good thing.  This is what holds the tension of the strings. (the tuning)</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">I say go for it if you feel the piano will do you good and you would use it.  A piano is a wonderful thing in a home. I have 6.  4 too many!</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Brent</span>

 

[washernoob]

Now now, Brent.

As appliance collectors we should know that there is never such a thing as "too much"

There is however, "not enough space"


PS. could I ask what are the instruments you have?
Thanks!

 

[a440]

Don't feed into my addiction Brandon!!!

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Okay....</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">I have a 1966 Kawai 750 7' 4" Semi Concert Grand (My Baby and Favorite)</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">1939 Yamaha Concert Grand.</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">1948 Baldwin Model D 9' Concert Grand.  </span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Kawai UST 7 Upright.  I think 1984</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">2 Yamaha U3 Uprights.  1982</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">1927 Mason & Hamlin BB - 7' Grand</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">I have (thank God) been able to sell many of them.  Need to get rid of the uprights but have not made any effort.  LOL!</span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">I am lucky to live in a city (Atlanta) where people bought pianos as "furniture".  I get many calls for family members that want to get rid of the pianos that are in their parents home when they get ready to sell the homes.  They usually (95%) of the time don't have a clue what they have.  And I really don't educate them.  That is if I am interested in the piano.  </span>

 

<span style="font-family: georgia,palatino; font-size: medium;">Brent</span>

 

 

 

[washernoob]

UGH! AMAZING collection.

Very cool for the 39 yamaha. You dont see many Yamaha's from that era.

I'll take the BALDWIN! lol. My favorite golden age piano company.

 

[whirlcool]

No, that Prophet-5 synth only lasted about 4 years or so. It started having problems with the keys sometimes playing and sometimes not playing. I took it in to have it looked at and the repair guy said it would have to be taken apart and resoldered one joint at a time. $$$$$ It appears that the soldered joints on the circuit boards were cracking. But it did have a lot of sound to it. I traded it in on a Roland A-50 with a Yamaha TR-33 synth module.