Baldwin 243

Buying a used piano directly from its previous owner can be a great way to get a good value on a piano suitable for your purpose. We help connect local sellers and buyers. The pianos we list have been recently inspected by a professional piano technician and are accurately listed, to the best of our ability.

Piano facts

Brand: Baldwin | Model: 243HPA | Height:  45″ | Finish: walnut | Year: around 1996 | Serial number: 462442 | Bench: not included

America’s most popular institutional piano

The Baldwin 243 is the best-selling studio upright Baldwin ever produced, with nearly 500,000 units sold worldwide since its introduction in 1939. Schools, churches, and conservatories have relied on the 243 for decades because of its remarkable durability and satisfying musical qualities. The 45″ cabinet allows for bass string lengths equivalent to those of a small grand piano, delivering depth and resonance uncommon in vertical instruments. Baldwin’s Full Blow Direct Action provides a responsive touch, while the 19-ply hard rock maple pinblock ensures tuning stability.

A functional instrument at a practical price

This piano spent its life in a university setting, where it was subjected to the humidity extremes common in institutional buildings. Some damage to the soundboard has occurred as a result, which limits the piano’s dynamic range and sustain compared to a fully healthy instrument. The piano remains functional and tunable, and the finish is in good condition.

A Piano Life Saver humidity control system (valued at $860) has already been installed and will protect the instrument from further environmental stress.

This piano is well suited for a beginning piano student or casual player who wants an affordable acoustic piano from a respected American maker (and it is substantially better than most free pianos on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist). As a student’s skills develop, the piano can be caught up on maintenance to improve its performance (please ask for an estimate). Alternatively, it can serve as a stepping stone toward a higher-level instrument down the road.

We are able to help with moving and servicing the piano, although these items are not included in the advertised price.