All About Choosing and Buying Pianos

[NICKW]

warlock8187:

Hi,

My son 7 years old just started learning piano and now considering whether to get a piano for him or not. My budget is about $3k - $4k. Anyone has any advise what will be a suitable piano for me to buy? He is practising at home with a keyboard after lesson.

Another brand you may consider is
Moutrie upright (China), at Robert Piano. Nice tone.

Manufacturer's website: http://www.moutriepiano.com/

[Billion1524]

Hi, anybody know abt this brand of piano, Paco or Feinton? Made in North Korea using Japanese parts.

Please advise. Thanks.

[warlock8187]

NICKW:

warlock8187:

Hi,

My son 7 years old just started learning piano and now considering whether to get a piano for him or not. My budget is about $3k - $4k. Anyone has any advise what will be a suitable piano for me to buy? He is practising at home with a keyboard after lesson.

Another brand you may consider is
Moutrie upright (China), at Robert Piano. Nice tone.

Manufacturer's website: http://www.moutriepiano.com/

For the past few days, I have visited a few used piano shops and every shop gives different opinions.

1)Does used pianos come with warranty? A lot of them do not and only Jesley provides 10 yrs warranty for their Yamaha & Kawai used pianos.
2)Not too sure if worth buying a 20+ yrs old piano for $4000...really headache about this.
3)Was targetting Yamaha U1 or U3 and 20+ yrs old ones average cost are about $3k-$4.5k.

4)Any advise on which shop should I buy from for used pianos as it is my first time buying with no piano technicians or friend accompanying.

[smakul]

Hi all, I'm new here and would like to seek advices from all of you


- What is the reasonable price for a brand new K3 Kawai

- Since Raffles Piano has moved recently, how can I contact them (especially the well-known expert Alvin) for information about Sauter

Thanks a lot

[merclim]

Smakul,


I have been looking at the K3 for my 2 kids too. The one I tried playing was at Robert Piano (centerpoint) and the listed price was about $8.3k+. The sales lady is Jessie, I believe.

I do play quite a bit myself on a Kawai grand and have developed some Kawai likings over the years. They are a tad heavier than the Yamahas but are very precise and clear, good practise pianos in general. The K3 upright definitely felt heavier than a U1 and has good overall dynamics and imho, and will be a good starter piano for the kids. It is also cheaper. It will take them to grade 8 (and even Dip, if you wanna push).

I am at the same time also considering some 2nd hand Jap imports like the K55 (pre-10 years) or the U3A (20+ years). Younger K55s should see the kids to Dip. piano pretty much. The U3 are older but are lovely, reallylovely to listen to. :love:

Have fun piano-shopping.

[smakul]

Hi Merclim,


I've tried Robert Piano at Parkway Parade and they told me the same price, emphasizing that this is the special GSS sales price, normally 10k and next month it might go up. Since Robert is the sole distributor for Kawai in Singapore, I guess the price is probably \"official\".

I've yet to try out the 2nd hand pianos but would love to. Only concern is finding a good shop. I did try to read this long thread but still need to time to digest.

Thanks for your advices

[jedamum]

Any HDB dweller owning an upright piano?

Will it be very loud?

[iRabbit]

jedamum:

Any HDB dweller owning an upright piano?

Will it be very loud?

Nope, HDB or private apartments, it doesn't matter at all. I know of people who even put their 6-ft grands into their bedrooms.

If you're concern about the vibration, just put a thick rug under the piano and it'll be alright.

[merclim]

Yah piano prices are tightly controlled by Kawai's authorised dealer. Even my wife could not squeeze another cent off the list price.


Well, do keep your mind opened and look around 2nd hands too. esp if you are not in a rush to get the piano. I have been around a few 2nd hand dealers and was very comfortable with the one in IMM, PG. They have a good range of Jap models, mostly Yamahas and Kawais. There are gems among the crowd if you carefully look, rarer jap domestic models in great conditions, great feels, beautiful tones. I was back there just on Sunday to look at a k55.....hmm...hope to get the approval from my wife (over the K3). :rahrah:

smakul:

Hi Merclim,

I've tried Robert Piano at Parkway Parade and they told me the same price, emphasizing that this is the special GSS sales price, normally 10k and next month it might go up. Since Robert is the sole distributor for Kawai in Singapore, I guess the price is probably \"official\".

I've yet to try out the 2nd hand pianos but would love to. Only concern is finding a good shop. I did try to read this long thread but still need to time to digest.

Thanks for your advices

[smakul]

I’ll definitely check out Piano Gallery in IMM. Is there any good 2nd shops in the center or the east side?


The K55 is it the earlier version of the current Kawai K5 ?