All About Choosing and Buying Pianos
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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.
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I am very new to piano. My son has just taken up G1 lesson and the piano teacher had recommended us to purchase the following two piano brands:
. Kaiwaii, Japan
. Heilmann, Europe
I am wondering which one to look up and did anyone know about ‘Pearl River’. Can anyone share like the brand to look up for, the pricing and the model that is suitable for examination for G1 (my son only own a electronic keyboard).
Thank you. -
Pearl River is from China, has been around for a long time. It is a rather decent piano but it doesn’t last for long (as in more than 10 years) as the sound gets rather “jang-jang” and won’t sound like what it started off as. My personal view
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jce:
Pearl River is from China, has been around for a long time. It is a rather decent piano but it doesn't last for long (as in more than 10 years) as the sound gets rather \"jang-jang\" and won't sound like what it started off as. My personal view
I dislike the sound. Do not worry about the piano lasting because nothing can last more than 10 years in this climate. Unless it sits in an air-conditioned room, with all windows closed, permanently. -
peanut_butter:
Thank you for sharing. :?: :?:jce:
Pearl River is from China, has been around for a long time. It is a rather decent piano but it doesn't last for long (as in more than 10 years) as the sound gets rather \"jang-jang\" and won't sound like what it started off as. My personal view
I dislike the sound. Do not worry about the piano lasting because nothing can last more than 10 years in this climate. Unless it sits in an air-conditioned room, with all windows closed, permanently. -
jce:
Pearl River is from China, has been around for a long time. It is a rather decent piano but it doesn't last for long (as in more than 10 years) as the sound gets rather \"jang-jang\" and won't sound like what it started off as. My personal view
Thank You for sharing. :xedfingers: -
I bought a x-hand yamah U3. It was probably 30+ years, sounds great (mellow, not sharp) and we love it. It was pure joy listening to my children play on it.