I had an old upright growing up and my wife had one as well (it's now in our boys' room).
When I moved into my old house in the '90's I wanted a Grand Piano. In 1997 my audiophile buddy Brian who lived in the hills of Glendale (near Brand Park) found a piano teacher who was moving up North. She had a minty 1972 Baldwin 6' 3" L series Artist studio grand piano, Walnut wood, French Provincial style (model 226). A big piano but meant for a little old lady piano teacher (the hand carved legs, etc.)
Nothing I would have picked, style wise for myself but the price was good and a girl I knew at the time (now my wife) had a boyfriend that worked at Keyboard Concepts in Van Nuys and approved the purchase as a good value. The touch of the keyboard was nice and firm, reminding me of a middle sized Steinway (like I used to fiddle with in the recording studios)..
So, it's in our living room and my kids and I like to play on it. I keep it in tune, it has a nice tone, even with the top down and with the lid raised, it's louder than heck, a really nice Walnut carved box.
To my surprise last week, a world famous Steinway piano restoration expert who lives near me told me that my model L Baldwin, with the 226 style carved legs, size, etc. is currently worth $75,000.00. I paid 5k for it and that was painful enough. I was astounded, to say the least. Apparently it's a rare model, especially in the 6 foot 3 inch size. It made me suddenly get all protective of it, heh. Lemon Oiled it today.
What about you? Do you own an acoustic piano? What kind? Upright or Grand? Brand?
Do you like it? Nice tone? I don't know too many people outside of my circle who even own a piano anymore. I can see why. Have you seen the current prices? Yikes. No normal person could afford a real piano. When I was kid you could get an old upright "honky tonk" piano at a department store for a few hundred bucks. No longer, I guess.
Even the current Baldwin grands are 50k and made in mainland China. I don't much care for the trebly tone of Yamaha acoustic pianos. Everything sounds like Elton John on them.
If you have an acoustic piano, keep it tuned up, at least twice a year. Keep it away from open windows, moisture, sudden changes in temp, etc. It's mainly wood, sort of a living, breathing machine. If you are not comfortable in the environment, it's no good for your piano either (or your guitar).
What do you have?
My Baldwin sort of looks like the one below, except it's much longer.. Note the wacky carvings on the legs, etc. Not my style but the price was right..