All About Choosing and Buying Pianos

[moomoo138]

Hi


In preparation for DS’s G7 exam next year, we’re thinking of changing our piano asap. Was recommended the exam models U1 & U1J by the Yamaha sales coordinator. Can anyone kindly advice (comment) which model is better in term of value for money, quality, tone etc…

Thanks in advance… : )

[moomoo138]

Hi All


Would appreciate if any piano gurus can help me with the following queries :
1) is it ‘safe’ to get a 2nd hand piano, would we be expecting a high or ‘hidden’ maintenance cost due to wear & tear?
2) is S$8,800 consider a good buy for a brand new U1?
3) was told U1 is able to support till G8, what about dip level?

Many thanks!! : )

[momto2]

Hi all


also looking at new piano and likely to get it before year end promotion ends for Yamaha and Kawai.

Looking at Yamaha YUS5, Kawai K8 and Bohemia 132.

Which one of them have the least problem through its life and have better resale value? Can these 3 pianos last till diploma?

[reddiechan]

moomoo138:

Hi All


Would appreciate if any piano gurus can help me with the following queries :
1) is it 'safe' to get a 2nd hand piano, would we be expecting a high or 'hidden' maintenance cost due to wear & tear?
2) is S$8,800 consider a good buy for a brand new U1?
3) was told U1 is able to support till G8, what about dip level?

Many thanks!! : )

I'm not a piano guru, but have personally done some research on this.

IMHO, if you can afford, why don't you consider a YUS5 (quite a big margin though, at $12,900)? I would if I were in your position. It should be good up to dip level. The sound quality, tone and make are all superb. The ivorite keys are a pleasure to play on. On the same scale, the Kawai K6/K8 is also great, with lighter carbon hammers but a heavier touch and a slightly warmer tone.

There's another very good make called Petrof available at Pianomaster. The action is so smooth and velvety, and tones warm and cosy. It's of a distinctly different style compared to Yamaha. Then again, preference is very individual. Your son should go and try out the piano to assess the sound, action and feel.

I won't suggest a 2nd hand if you're particular about tone and quality. There's always something amiss in any piece of old instrument. However, you could come across an old gem in the haystack, since most would have been run in after some years. Even when you're selecting a new piano, it pays to inspect and try out the piano before committing to that specific one. A friend I know picked the showroom grand piano because those would have been run in by about a year and the tone would be pretty stable by this time.

[shenasoh]

Hi I got one upright piano to sell if off . I seldom play nowsaday so intend to sell it off. anyone interested please Pm me [email protected]. This piano is good for those starter.


$1700 ( negotiable , free 1 time transport and 1 time tuner )
7 yr old piano,
Hermann brand , glossy black , in good condition.
I bought it at the price of $4000

[moomoo138]

Hi reddiechan


Thanks so much for your advice… : )

[jce]

YUS5 is a good piano, can take you through to Dip level.


As for 2ndhand pianos, must know where to go. Some dealers are very reliable, some less so.

[moomoo138]

Thanks jce…


Noted that YUS5 is a good piano, but the price is abit steep for us, especially when I’m uncertain if my DS would continue after G8. He told us he wish to quit after he obtain his G8 which make us think twice about investing that much money, otherwise we would have already go ahead with the baby grand that only costs $11K (during the promotion now).

I’ve spoken to PianoMaster who advices us to get a brand new piano as 2nd hand piano may subject us to a higher maintenance due to wear and tear.

Hope to ride on the current promotion, but guess we shouldn’t rush… would welcome comment, pros and cons, about U1… Tks in advance…

[reddiechan]

moomoo138:

Thanks jce...


Noted that YUS5 is a good piano, but the price is abit steep for us, especially when I'm uncertain if my DS would continue after G8. He told us he wish to quit after he obtain his G8 which make us think twice about investing that much money, otherwise we would have already go ahead with the baby grand that only costs $11K (during the promotion now).

I've spoken to PianoMaster who advices us to get a brand new piano as 2nd hand piano may subject us to a higher maintenance due to wear and tear.

Hope to ride on the current promotion, but guess we shouldn't rush... would welcome comment, pros and cons, about U1... Tks in advance...

Just a note about that GB1K (I suppose that's the once you're considering). This model is not made in Japan and so the quality is somewhat doubted on international standards. You're better off getting a U1, which is placed on the high end of the quality scale. Likewise, U1J is also made in Indonesia, so there is also some differential in quality. You can hear and feel the difference if you play them one after another, side by side. Use a repertoire that spans across the keyboard. U1 is undoubtedly good, but once you get to the base sounds, I feel the price doesn't justify for that kind of tone, whereas YUS5 is able to give the lower tones more colour...and once the centre panel is opened, the resonance is magical...then, again, you're right, the price is steep. *sigh*

Some G8 pieces explores the more extreme ends of the keyboard, so while U1 sounds great for most parts, the sound is a little challenged when you get to the bass portion. Try a U1, then a U3/YUS5 to hear the difference.

I was once considering Kohler & Campbell (available at Chiu Piano, Thomson Plaza, run by old Mr & Mrs Chiu, and their successor, Mr Ernest Chiu), the 132cm version, which is at the same price range as U1, but it is able to bring out the bass tones. You may like to pay them a visit. This model is an American model, but made by Samick, a Korean company. Samick pianos have that crisp Yamaha feel but at a fraction of the price.

Of course, if a grand is what you like, just throw the experts' (I mean Larry Fine, author of the Piano Book) advice out of the window and go with your heart. Likewise, if the person who's going to play the piano doesn't really mind that much about sound quality, the U1 is a superb instrument to own for some 30-40 years. Once you get it home, you will like it more and more (this is what a very talented pianist told me).

[jce]

Baby Grands - no point. The YUS5 is basically an upright grand, having the height of an baby grand but in the form of an upright, if I’m not mistaken. Grands must be at least 6 ft otherwise not a big diff.