All About Choosing and Buying Pianos

[raynreg]

MaryDaisu:

Dear mummies,


I was quoted the following prices for 2nd hand kawai piano:
- K-50 $6000 (9-10yrs old)
- US-65 $500 (24-25 yrs old)

Which do you think is a good piano and good buy?

According to the salesperson, US-65 is a upright grand. The sound seems better..just that it is a little old.

Pls advise.
Thanks.

If those above fits into your budget. Then the $6k K-50 is relatively close to yamaha U1 (indon assembled) new piano. Why then buy 2nd hand

[MaryDaisu]

titank,

Sorry typo error.
K50 cost $5,000 and not $500!
haa!



Raynreg,
Budget aside, are these model good? Cos it appears that many mummies are looking at K3.
Honestly i have not tried out Yamaha yet. But as reading thru the posts by other mummies, Yamaha’s piano are brighter? I suppose i prefer mellower sounds…

[sleepy]

MaryDaisu:

Honestly i have not tried out Yamaha yet. But as reading thru the posts by other mummies, Yamaha's piano are brighter? I suppose i prefer mellower sounds..

Bring your child along to test the piano. My dd tried both Kawai and yamaha. She picked yamaha.

Within the same brand, there're different models. She chose U3 over U1.

[MaryDaisu]

Sleepy,


Thanks. My son is a beginner… not sure if he can tell the difference…but will bring him to try definitely…

[jce]

The US65 at such a price with so many years in its bag, I personally don’t think is worth getting. Kawai, and for that matter, Yamaha too, are Jap pianos, not really built to last compared to the good European ones. I would get the K50, it will take your child up to the high grades and by that time it will probably be around 20 yrs old.

[titank]

As recommend by the piano teacher, piano selection should get those that are hard type keys. Meaning it take more strength to play. I do notice that U3 they are lighter as compare with Kawai.


Recommend is to get piano from european brand as they offer the hard key types. Sadly to said all these are assembled in China. Doubt the QC would be good a not.

[markfch]

titank:

As recommend by the piano teacher, piano selection should get those that are hard type keys. Meaning it take more strength to play. I do notice that U3 they are lighter as compare with Kawai.


Recommend is to get piano from european brand as they offer the hard key types. Sadly to said all these are assembled in China. Doubt the QC would be good a not.

Sorry but I don't agree with you on this. German pianos are generally considered as the best of breed. However in order to survive in the new economy, these venerable brands have to evolve to serve several market segments. An example of an excellent brand will be C Bechstein, catering exclusively to those with deep pockets, who wants and can afford the best. Within the parent company, you then have the Bechstein Academy (by no means cheap), W. Hoffmann (mid-tier) and Zimmerman (lowest end).

The Germans always retain manufacture of their best pianos within their own country. For mid-tier pianos, they may outsource them to countries like the Czech republic to reduce cost. Only their lowest end piano will they outsource to other parts of the world. Of course there may be exceptions to this but this is true as far as I know.

For China made pianos, much has been mentioned about the Hailun brand so I'll leave you to judge for yourself.

[sleepy]

titank:

I do notice that U3 they are lighter as compare with Kawai.

For 2nd hand ones, yes, I noticed that too.
For brand new, the lightness/hardness contrast doesn't seem obvious (to me la). Check it out at their respective showrooms

I noticed nafa using U3 too. Seen U3 in nafa classrooms, in nafa teacher's house. Seem to be the preferred model ?
However, I bought U3 way before my dd's nafa days. So it's pure coincidence that my dd picked U3

[MaryDaisu]

Dear mummies,


Thanks for all your replies.

To update you:
I went piano \"shopping\" these few days and hv decided.. on HAILUN 125 !

Seeing is believing.. i tested it and i love the sound.. For the price of <$4k, i get a brand new, sounds rich too...Comes with 10 yr warranty, 5 yrs 50% money back guarantee, free tunings.... the boss also told me about the parts used to make HL are not inferior..well i guess i will take his words. Especially when this is a new brand, definitely they would not do something to jeopardise their branding.

Will be bringing my DS to try it out this weekend...and confirm purchase:)

Good day to all...

[smurfy]

hi…

my boy just started learning piano. he’s 4yrs old only. was thinking of getting a keyboard to let him try for another few months. any recomendations on where i can get them and cost involved?