All About Choosing and Buying Pianos

[MMM]

It would be good if she is already good at the piano and see what she likes as well. Shop around and enjoy the process.


I think our girl was only K1 or K2 when we got the piano. She was encouraged to test it though there are only few simple songs she knows. But how can we hear if it is good based on those twinkle twinkle little star songs? We got the sales people to play the songs for us too to hear how it sounds.

In terms of brands, personally I prefer Yamaha or Kawai (though the expert will tell you that there is a difference between the 2). I am too layman to understand. Talk to the various sales people and hear their comments. I think there are korea brand pianos too and of course those european high end ones as well : ) You will hear comments like oh this is now made in china,etc… I equate buying pianos to those of a car. Which brand? Japanese, chinese, korea or european??? Personally, I prefer a yamaha or kawai given their brand equity and it’s widely used. So resale would be better too.

[ESMJ family]

MMM:

It would be good if she is already good at the piano and see what she likes as well. Shop around and enjoy the process.


I think our girl was only K1 or K2 when we got the piano. She was encouraged to test it though there are only few simple songs she knows. But how can we hear if it is good based on those twinkle twinkle little star songs? We got the sales people to play the songs for us too to hear how it sounds.

In terms of brands, personally I prefer Yamaha or Kawai (though the expert will tell you that there is a difference between the 2). I am too layman to understand. Talk to the various sales people and hear their comments. I think there are korea brand pianos too and of course those european high end ones as well : ) You will hear comments like oh this is now made in china,etc... I equate buying pianos to those of a car. Which brand? Japanese, chinese, korea or european??? Personally, I prefer a yamaha or kawai given their brand equity and it's widely used. So resale would be better too.

thanks for yr sharing will start sourcing, hope to get a gd deal !

[pinky]

My experience with Cristofori (Funan Mall) was quite OK. The sales staff was quite knowledgeable and helpful. They do have a buy back policy+ 2 free tunings+10 years warranty. The after sales service was good too.

I bought the non-exam model since my son was a beginner then.
Before the exam, I would then book the studio (exam centre) for him to
practise on the actual exam piano(2-3 times). Heard that exam model is
more expensive and may not be the exact model that you buy so I
compromise by doing the above.

[spring5]

I bought a 20 year old U2 (higher than exam model as height is 125-8cm) Yamaha for $1700 from Shelleys. This includes moving to your house and 1st tuning.

He also sources his pianos from Japan and recondition them himself.
He does not have a shopfront to save rent.
His warehouse is in Eunos.

He recommends a friend who does tuning for $50.

Think you shd be able to get his number from yellowpages.com.

He also has a buy-back scheme for his 2nd hand pianos.
Exam model must be at least 121cm tall. For Yamaha, at means a U1 model.
Be careful as U1 models may be made in Indonesia.
Hence I bought a U2 as all U2’s are made in Japan.

[June]

I just a 2nd hand 20 years U1 yamaha piano from this place which offers fantastic service, should anyone requires recommendation, please pm me.

[hugeclaw]

Hoping to get a 2nd hand U1 or U2 yamaha piano, any lobang, let me know. Thanks!

[June]

Actually not all U1 are made in Indonesia, U1 are usually made in Japan, but JU xx are made in Indonesia, U1 model is usually the exam model and has a height of 121cm which provides a richer, more resonant voice. Hope information helps.

[June]

hugeclaw:

Hoping to get a 2nd hand U1 or U2 yamaha piano, any lobang, let me know. Thanks!

Can you pm me or drop me an email and I can provide you with some contacts [email protected]

[Poonie]

Hi spring5


Seems like you have got a good deal for your exam-grade model. Could you let me have the contact of Shelley’s at Eunos? I found a Shelley’s thru yellow pages but it is at Toa Payoh.

[Mandie]

Besides going to the 2nd hand dealer, you may also go direct to owner. Try ebay, gumtree etc, search "piano for sale", you may able to get a good deal, I just got one Kawai(exam model and less than 4 yrs) from an American who leaving Spore at a very good price. But just remember that will not come with warranty, so need to view the piano carefully before place deposit. Good luck!