All About Choosing and Buying Pianos
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Hi, is it okay to buy those pianos that has been displayed at showrooms for some time? Any issues?
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waiyean:
Hi, is it okay to buy those pianos that has been displayed at showrooms for some time? Any issues?
Those pianos should be cheaper. Showroom pieces would have been subjected to demos by sales persons and potential buyers. If you don't mind these, then should be ok. These pieces would be better then used pianos, i guess. -
I was shown a 30+ piano recently, recondition. inside is very new and the dealer claims imported from Japan. how much can I trust them.
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wkrf:
Hi, any idea what kind of discount i can expect for such showroom pieces? 5 to 10% reasonable?waiyean:
Hi, is it okay to buy those pianos that has been displayed at showrooms for some time? Any issues?
Those pianos should be cheaper. Showroom pieces would have been subjected to demos by sales persons and potential buyers. If you don't mind these, then should be ok. These pieces would be better then used pianos, i guess. -
I suspect more than that. Their promotions already offer that sort of discount
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Yamaha Plaza Singapura recently cleared their showroom pieces (April). They also had discount offers for their acoustic pianos. The next one would be school holidays.
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s277400:
I was shown a 30+ piano recently, recondition. inside is very new and the dealer claims imported from Japan. how much can I trust them.
Quite a few dealers bring in pianos from Japan. A good piece can last you for long time, that's what they say. -
Hi,
I own a Kemble, lovely English piano bought a decade ago. I now play for leisure. My dd (5.5yo) has just started her piano lessons and the problem is, I neglected my Kemble for a long time (living in dormitory, working and living overseas) and when I finally getting tuned, I was told it couldn’t be tuned back to perfect pitch since it has been left untuned for so long and the risk of snapping the strings are great. So my piano is a semitone lower than perfect pitch.
I believe this would affect my daughter’s hearing in the long run, should she be serious in continue this musical journey? And since I owned an English piano, I really love the clarity and tinkling of the higher notes n would love to upgrade to another European piano. I tried the shimmel c126t at Chiu piano and loved, loved, loved the booming and clarity of the bass notes and the sharp whistling of the higher notes. Tried the Vogel (made by schimmel Poland factory) but the higher notes sound muffled and surprisingly, I thought the same of the Wilh Steinberg models too.
But…the schimmel price tag is really abit hard to swallow…anyone knows of another brands that would provide the same kind of crisp sound that I like (eps for the high notes). Despite my wish to get a European piano, I’m open to any other brands too coz u never know when u might have an accidental gem.
All recommendations are welcomed! -
Anyone has any comments on an SK 3?
Was at Robert piano this afternoon, and found the keys a bit light. The tone sounds good though. -
My student’s mother is selling her used Yamaha CVP-94/92.
$500
Contact Mrs. Teo, 82216818 -
missk:
Hi missk,
I also liked the Grotrain, and Wendl & Lung (but too expensive for me). I was offered a 40 yr old Ohhashi piano that also had a very european sound.
Any reasons for liking the Grotrian? Have you played on one, and if so was it the upright or grand? I am looking at ths brand, but no dealer is currently carrying a unit of Grotrian in Singapore. -
waiyean:
Pianomaster is the local dealer for Grotrian. I played on a Grotrian grand on one of my trips there. I liked the crystal clear clarity and cleanness of the subtly sweet tone; I think it's very suited to play classical piano sonatas. I do recall I wish for more power and depth to the sound though, so if you play a lot of romantic repertoire you may not find it to your liking.
Hi missk,missk:
I also liked the Grotrain, and Wendl & Lung (but too expensive for me). I was offered a 40 yr old Ohhashi piano that also had a very european sound.
Any reasons for liking the Grotrian? Have you played on one, and if so was it the upright or grand? I am looking at ths brand, but no dealer is currently carrying a unit of Grotrian in Singapore. -
missk:
Same sentiment as you, I swear by my K80 which I think is one of the best upright grands money can buy. I love mellow tones as well because I feel I can achieve a wider range of colors and expressions in my pieces. Deep brooding minor key pieces often do not sound exactly right with bright sounding pianos. Beside a K80 I also own a Weinberg G-185 grand which is very sweet and bright. It is a lovely piano to play too but I wouldn't play some pieces such as Rachmaninov Op 3 No 2 so much on it.
Last year, bought a 30+ yr old but probably reconditioned Kawai upright grand ku 5d at less than 4k. Best purchase ever so far!!! Well given the price, it would b a steal if it lasts 10 yrs anyway. The seller was very upfront in telling me that he would not know if the piano was original parts or reconditioned.kikimama:
Hi,
I own a Kemble, lovely English piano bought a decade ago. I now play for leisure. My dd (5.5yo) has just started her piano lessons and the problem is, I neglected my Kemble for a long time (living in dormitory, working and living overseas) and when I finally getting tuned, I was told it couldn't be tuned back to perfect pitch since it has been left untuned for so long and the risk of snapping the strings are great. So my piano is a semitone lower than perfect pitch.
I believe this would affect my daughter's hearing in the long run, should she be serious in continue this musical journey? And since I owned an English piano, I really love the clarity and tinkling of the higher notes n would love to upgrade to another European piano. I tried the shimmel c126t at Chiu piano and loved, loved, loved the booming and clarity of the bass notes and the sharp whistling of the higher notes. Tried the Vogel (made by schimmel Poland factory) but the higher notes sound muffled and surprisingly, I thought the same of the Wilh Steinberg models too.
But...the schimmel price tag is really abit hard to swallow....anyone knows of another brands that would provide the same kind of crisp sound that I like (eps for the high notes). Despite my wish to get a European piano, I'm open to any other brands too coz u never know when u might have an accidental gem.
All recommendations are welcomed!
I have played piano since childhood, and so I have been looking for the tones needed for advanced grades. This piano fits the bill exactly for me. It has a very mellow, singing sound in the treble which is pleasing, but a very very deep bass. None of the yamaha I played was suitable for me (they have a nice treble but I find the bass lacking). According to the technician, most higher range kawais have 5 backposts, but yamaha only has 3. But they say yamaha parts are better.
I find the kawai Ku series, US series of tall upright grands pleasing, it might b what u r looking for. However that said, I tested 2 kawai upright grands same model with completely different sounds. It boils down to the condition for second hand piano.
I also liked the Grotrain, and Wendl & Lung (but too expensive for me). I was offered a 40 yr old Ohhashi piano that also had a very european sound. -
Dreamaurora:
Hi Dreamaurora, thank you, it's nice to hear comments from an expert like you. As the piano is to accompany my daughter's learning journey, i would like to get one that is more all rounder, ie. one that can be used to play all eras without sounding like it is only designed to sound good on any particular. Do you think Grotrian fits the bill?
Pianomaster is the local dealer for Grotrian. I played on a Grotrian grand on one of my trips there. I liked the crystal clear clarity and cleanness of the subtly sweet tone; I think it's very suited to play classical piano sonatas. I do recall I wish for more power and depth to the sound though, so if you play a lot of romantic repertoire you may not find it to your liking.
How would you compare it with the Shigeru Kawai, Petrof, or the Sauter? I have been to Pianomaster, but unfortunately they do not have a unit there at the moment. Thanks. -
waiyean:
Haha no lar, I am still considered an amateur. I have not tried Sauter, so I can't comment on it. Personally, I would go for either Grotrian or Shigeru Kawai. Petrof piano has excellent tone and the actions are very good, but the sound is very sweet and bright; think of it like Yamaha on steroid. It is perfect for jazz and many contemporary music, but I would not probably buy it to play my classical repertoire. Grotrian's sound is drier and crisper whereas Shigeru Kawai is fuller and richer. Both are excellent artisan piano and the decision in the end will boil down to what kind of sound your daughter wants to achieve in her playing.
Hi Dreamaurora, thank you, it's nice to hear comments from an expert like you. As the piano is to accompany my daughter's learning journey, i would like to get one that is more all rounder, ie. one that can be used to play all eras without sounding like it is only designed to sound good on any particular. Do you think Grotrian fits the bill?Dreamaurora:
Pianomaster is the local dealer for Grotrian. I played on a Grotrian grand on one of my trips there. I liked the crystal clear clarity and cleanness of the subtly sweet tone; I think it's very suited to play classical piano sonatas. I do recall I wish for more power and depth to the sound though, so if you play a lot of romantic repertoire you may not find it to your liking.
How would you compare it with the Shigeru Kawai, Petrof, or the Sauter? I have been to Pianomaster, but unfortunately they do not have a unit there at the moment. Thanks. -
I love Grotrian. If I had the financial means, I would get one.
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peanut_butter:
I love Grotrian. If I had the financial means, I would get one.
Thank you. The comments from you and Dreamaurora gave me a lot more confidence in this brand. -
Does anyone have comments on these three piano models:
- Asahi U1- AS (6 years old)
- Samick JS-121 FDEP(1 year old)
- Yamaha U1 (10 years old)
And also which would be a more ideal piano to get?
In my opinion, I would prefer the yamaha U1 because I've not really heard much about the other two brands. But I'd still like to get some opinions before making any decision
TIA! -
Used to owned Asahi Piano U1-AS before. Piano teacher felt the sound is alittle sharp maybe because she owns a Kawai. Kawai tends to be mellow sound so she is not used to Asahi tone.
As for Yamaha U1, personally I do not encourage because friend owned a brand new one and Yamaha tuner cannot help to tune the right sound. I heard my girl played the U1 at Plaza Singapura. It’s sound horrible to me. Unless you want to consider U3 or YUS5. They are alot better. U1 cannot bring up the sound you want.
I’m not a piano teacher.
Because of budget, at the end got my girl a brand new Hailun 133P. No regret so far for Hailun 133P because the sound is rather comparable to Yamaha U3. This is what her piano teacher comment. I brought her to try the piano sound for me before we purchase it.
Hope it gives you a rough idea. -
sushigal:
Thanks sushigal for replying, will go check that out! ^^Used to owned Asahi Piano U1-AS before. Piano teacher felt the sound is alittle sharp maybe because she owns a Kawai. Kawai tends to be mellow sound so she is not used to Asahi tone.
As for Yamaha U1, personally I do not encourage because friend owned a brand new one and Yamaha tuner cannot help to tune the right sound. I heard my girl played the U1 at Plaza Singapura. It's sound horrible to me. Unless you want to consider U3 or YUS5. They are alot better. U1 cannot bring up the sound you want.
I'm not a piano teacher.
Because of budget, at the end got my girl a brand new Hailun 133P. No regret so far for Hailun 133P because the sound is rather comparable to Yamaha U3. This is what her piano teacher comment. I brought her to try the piano sound for me before we purchase it.
Hope it gives you a rough idea.