All About Choosing and Buying Pianos
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mwzander:
I eventually narrowed down to two to three models. Yamaha U3 or YUS5 and Kawai K6. I ruled out U1 because it is too bright. I am not good in piano. Probably same level as my son. Why I can tell the difference? Because the sound quality of my keyboard is so good that even for U3, I am not totally satisfied with the tone. YUS5 sounds slightly better than U3 but it is 2000 more. I am quite happy with the tone of K6 but was shocked by the attitude of their sales person. When I compared K6 with U3, an old lady called Adna asked me to go ahead to buy Yamha. Now I know why Kawai is not as popular as Yamaha. If their salespersons are so unprofessional, what will happen to after sales service? Seems like I don't have much choice but to go for U3.
Is she from the Millenia branch? If so, I had similar 'haughtly' experience from her. :x -
Do u have the contact of the mover?
How much does it cost and any idea if they remove any parts of the piano when the movers are moving? -
Selling at $900. Made in Japan. Regular piano tuner (not from the shop) highlighted that it is still in good condition. Selling becos my son will move to grade 4 by this year so it time to upgrade the piano.
Just note :
1. Piano is around 30 years
2. Bought at $1700 from second shop about less than 2 years
3. Sound is bright and I like the sound compare to Yamaha model.
4. Suitable for beginner and child to try out before committing on an expensive model.
5. Transport and Tunning is not included.
6. Quality assured.
Thank you.
Sms : 96799068.
Thank you. -
Dear Folks,
Looking for a 2nd hand piano with a budget of $4.2K.
1. 18-22 years or more than 28 years? Some people believe that well maintained old pianos are still a good buy. Others believe that under Singapore’s humid conditions, pianos can only last to at most 40 years.
2. Old pianos have better sound and wood quality. Is that true?
3. Is it true that a 20-year-old piano that sounds mellow can mean that it has not been seasoned yet to due to low usage?..compared to one that has a brighter and more dynamic sound which means it’s well seasoned with high usage?
4. Kawai: NS35, BS10, BS20, BS2A, BL61, BL71?
5. Has anyone done business with Prince Piano @ Textile Centre or Piano Gallery @ IMM?
Thank you! -
Francis Tan:
With 4.2K do yourself a favor and save up more to get a first hand U1. I would generally try to avoid pianos more than 10 years old because components inside deteoriate. However, you may choose to get an old piano and then ask a tuner to recondition the piano. Reconditioning cost around 1 to 2K but you might save money if you can buy the piano very cheap. Please don't believe anyone that said pianos get better as they get older. If this is true, why the older the piano gets, the cheaper it gets?Dear Folks,
Looking for a 2nd hand piano with a budget of $4.2K.
1. 18-22 years or more than 28 years? Some people believe that well maintained old pianos are still a good buy. Others believe that under Singapore's humid conditions, pianos can only last to at most 40 years.
2. Old pianos have better sound and wood quality. Is that true?
3. Is it true that a 20-year-old piano that sounds mellow can mean that it has not been seasoned yet to due to low usage?...compared to one that has a brighter and more dynamic sound which means it's well seasoned with high usage?
4. Kawai: NS35, BS10, BS20, BS2A, BL61, BL71?
5. Has anyone done business with Prince Piano @ Textile Centre or Piano Gallery @ IMM?
Thank you! -
I have been looking around for used pianos lately. Most dealers offer 5 year warranty or was it guarantee, as a few said. There’s one which provide only 1 year guarantee only. Do pianos breakdown and fail after several years or how often do they require parts replacement ?
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babylion:
I have been looking around for used pianos lately. Most dealers offer 5 year warranty or was it guarantee, as a few said. There's one which provide only 1 year guarantee only. Do pianos breakdown and fail after several years or how often do they require parts replacement ?
Yes, parts do deteoriate with heavy use and aging, although good maintenance will minimise the deteoriation. Some of examples of common things happening as pianos get older are sticky keys (caused by faulty damper mechanisms), overly bright sound (the felts at the tip of the hammers get worn out), broken dampers, pedals not working correctly. Parts replacements are rarely needed actually unless something actually break; normally tuners can repair them.
The best advice I can get is really to get a decent pianist/teacher to come along piano shopping with you. Piano salesmen will obviously try to clear as many stocks as possible and as such may 'exaggerate' some facts. -
I suppose the logical thing is to get one that has longer warranty, if all else is the same.
The one or two Kawai pianos i'm eyeing now give only 1 year warranty...sighhhDreamaurora:
Yes, parts do deteoriate with heavy use and aging, although good maintenance will minimise the deteoriation. Some of examples of common things happening as pianos get older are sticky keys (caused by faulty damper mechanisms), overly bright sound (the felts at the tip of the hammers get worn out), broken dampers, pedals not working correctly. Parts replacements are rarely needed actually unless something actually break; normally tuners can repair them.
The best advice I can get is really to get a decent pianist/teacher to come along piano shopping with you. Piano salesmen will obviously try to clear as many stocks as possible and as such may 'exaggerate' some facts. -
Pianos at Piano Gallery are sourced by my tuner (and friend). Trust me, he does have a good eye and ear for pianos and he is trustworthy. Look for Julie as my friend is always running around tuning for Esplanade or private homes.
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Thanks for the recommendation. I have spoken to Julie yesterday.