All About Choosing and Buying Pianos
-
markfch:
After reading all the German piano names and comments, I am very tempted to have my Kawai KE25 changed. Will that make my dd2 go back on the piano? This is my first hearing the brand name Sauter. Where can I see the piano?[I bought the Sauter M1 cos I was sold on the 'Val di Fiemme' spruce soundboard which is the same material used to make Stradivaris violins.
Unfortunately, the dealer that I bought from only sells customised pianos so I had to wait for 7 mths from the time I paid the deposit till the time it arrived from Germany. If I had space, I would most likely have gone for the Shigeru SK3 instead, which will surely inspire my ds to play the piano even more fervently (since nothing motivates like a grand).
But the M1 is still very good, even to my unlearned ears. The touch is heavy but sharp, and the sound is either sharp (like Yamaha) nor mellow (like Kawai). It's just very unique to my ears. My piano dealer is also a qualified piano teacher and piano maker (he trained in Germany for many yrs as an apprentice). When he plays my piano during tuning sessions, the piano really sounds wonderful as he got the skills to bring out the sound.
:
Does piano tuner generally able to \"bring out the sound\" of all brands of piano? -
dasalo:
If you have Kawai ke25 and you like the Kawai sound, you can consider buying a Kawai RX grand, or SK grand if got more money. If money is no concern, of course a European piano like Steinway, bosen, fazioli, or sauter would be the best. A good piano will provide a good motivation booster for children, but obviously its just one of the factors.
After reading all the German piano names and comments, I am very tempted to have my Kawai KE25 changed. Will that make my dd2 go back on the piano? This is my first hearing the brand name Sauter. Where can I see the piano?
Does piano tuner generally able to \"bring out the sound\" of all brands of piano?
Actually, most tuners only have limited playing capability, like grade 3-5. But if tuner is a serious pianist, obviously he would be able to make the piano sound better lar. -
It really depends on the personal liking of the touch and tone. After spending so much time in finding a piano for my dd, I think you really have to play and listen to the piano yourself before making any decision although I don’t play piano myself.
Some of the European brands (upright) that are available in Sinapore :
Steinway K132 and V125 (showroom opposite Hilton)
Steingraeber K138 and Schimmel C130 (chew’s Piano, Thomsan Plaza)
Grotrian 132 (?) and Petrof-K135 (Can’t remember the shop but at Upper Paya Lebar)
Hoffman, Seiler, C Bechstein (Christofori)
Hassler, Bluthner (Kawai Millenia)
Sauter (Alvin?)
You can find the contact info over the internet. -
A good tuner will be able to bring out the best in the piano, but you have to tell them you want to "voice" the piano. In normal circumstances, tuner comes in to tune the piano, voicing is another matter, and of course, a different cost altogether.
A change in piano MAY motivate your child to get back on the wagon but that is not the sole factor, as pointed out by Dreamaurora. Part of it lies with the child, what motivates the child and another lies with the teacher. A teacher needs to trigger that spark, if the spark is there. If there’s no spark, must try to create one and hopefully that spark will turn into fire. Of course, there are times where this won’t happen. -
jce:
Hmm, you meant regulation right? Because that is the term my tuner use. Yeah a good tuner can perform regulation on the piano's actions to achieve a specific tone and feel on the piano. But I think this is quite specific to player, because I will normally be present during the regulation and test the piano until it feels like what I want.A good tuner will be able to bring out the best in the piano, but you have to tell them you want to \"voice\" the piano. In normal circumstances, tuner comes in to tune the piano, voicing is another matter, and of course, a different cost altogether.
A change in piano MAY motivate your child to get back on the wagon but that is not the sole factor, as pointed out by Dreamaurora. Part of it lies with the child, what motivates the child and another lies with the teacher. A teacher needs to trigger that spark, if the spark is there. If there's no spark, must try to create one and hopefully that spark will turn into fire. Of course, there are times where this won't happen. -
Dreamaurora:
I did not particularly like the KE25 but it was the best for price affordability and reasonably good range of exam model pianos at that time. I was complaining alot on the last key as it is not producing 'string' sound but instead, it sounded like a wood knocking on another piece of wood kinda of sound.
If you have Kawai ke25 and you like the Kawai sound, you can consider buying a Kawai RX grand, or SK grand if got more money. If money is no concern, of course a European piano like Steinway, bosen, fazioli, or sauter would be the best. A good piano will provide a good motivation booster for children, but obviously its just one of the factors.
Actually, most tuners only have limited playing capability, like grade 3-5. But if tuner is a serious pianist, obviously he would be able to make the piano sound better lar.
A grand piano is a no no for me cos if I do, I'll have to sleep under the piano! LOL.. :faint: -
KKKS:
Thanks KKKS.It really depends on the personal liking of the touch and tone. After spending so much time in finding a piano for my dd, I think you really have to play and listen to the piano yourself before making any decision although I don't play piano myself.
Some of the European brands (upright) that are available in Sinapore :
Steinway K132 and V125 (showroom opposite Hilton)
Steingraeber K138 and Schimmel C130 (chew's Piano, Thomsan Plaza)
Grotrian 132 (?) and Petrof-K135 (Can't remember the shop but at Upper Paya Lebar)
Hoffman, Seiler, C Bechstein (Christofori)
Hassler, Bluthner (Kawai Millenia)
Sauter (Alvin?)
You can find the contact info over the internet.
How much does a Sauter costs? Any idea? I remembered hearing a C Bechstein at Kawai for a hefty $26K for just a normal upright. -
dasalo:
As KKKS pointed out above, you can try Sauter pianos from Alvin (Raffles Piano). During my piano hunting, I found out that the piano market is very competitive. I only enjoyed my shopping experience from Raffles Piano & Yamaha; cos they focus on their products, rather than 'comment' on other brands.
After reading all the German piano names and comments, I am very tempted to have my Kawai KE25 changed. Will that make my dd2 go back on the piano? This is my first hearing the brand name Sauter. Where can I see the piano?
Raffles Piano doesn't stock all Sauter models, only the more common ones. Earlier this yr, Alvin brought a lady to my home to test out the M1. She liked it so much she paid the deposit for hers the next day.
Just a note that the Sauter sound is very distinct. I'm quite sure that it's not everyone's cup of tea. It's either you love it or hate it. Ok, I maybe imagining this, but I feel that I sound better playing on a Kawai (I used to own a K5) than Sauter. Why? Because my timing is not accurate and touch uneven, and the Kawai sound tends to spread and cover the flaws. The Sauter sound, being much more distinct, will amplify the good and the bad equally.
So I'm paying more to sound bad, haha. But on the other hand, a more distinct piano will train a serious pianist to improve on the minor details better. This is what I think, though I'm not sure if I'm just imagining things. Maybe the experts can confirm my suspicion.KKKS:
Right, Steinway new location is at Palais Renaissance opposite Hilton. They have a wide selection of piano on display. Every weekend I'll walk pass that shop - on my way to send my ds for tuition - and would ogle at those gorgeous pianos. :drool:Steinway K132 and V125 (showroom opposite Hilton)
Sauter (Alvin?)
Yes, Sauter is from Alvin (Raffles Piano). -
My information may be outdated.
Sauter Master Class 130 was priced above $40,000. The dealer threw in a ticket for you to choose your own piano in Germany. -
dasalo:
Hmm, I am not sure this applies to all european uprights. But last time eddie, the Steinway tuner who tunes full time now for yst, told me that upright Steinways are notoriously hard to maintain because the mechanisms are more complex than normal grand.
I did not particularly like the KE25 but it was the best for price affordability and reasonably good range of exam model pianos at that time. I was complaining alot on the last key as it is not producing 'string' sound but instead, it sounded like a wood knocking on another piece of wood kinda of sound.Dreamaurora:
If you have Kawai ke25 and you like the Kawai sound, you can consider buying a Kawai RX grand, or SK grand if got more money. If money is no concern, of course a European piano like Steinway, bosen, fazioli, or sauter would be the best. A good piano will provide a good motivation booster for children, but obviously its just one of the factors.
Actually, most tuners only have limited playing capability, like grade 3-5. But if tuner is a serious pianist, obviously he would be able to make the piano sound better lar.
A grand piano is a no no for me cos if I do, I'll have to sleep under the piano! LOL.. :faint:
my piano currently is K80, the highest end model in Kawai upright. It was 12 or 13 k when I bought it many years ago, now brand new should be around 15k i guess. You can consider that one if space constrained. Yamaha equivalent would be yus5.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login