All About Choosing and Buying Pianos

[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 ?

[smakul]

Forgot to ask, how to avoid being noisy playing Acoustic Piano in HDB after 10pm … closing all doors ?

[merclim]

I have only been looking around in town and in the west coz it is nearer for me.


Use the una corda for playing later in the night. Or get a newer piano with silent function.

smakul:

Forgot to ask, how to avoid being noisy playing Acoustic Piano in HDB after 10pm ... closing all doors ?

[kooky83]

heyhoe:

Hi,


My colleague is asking if I'm interested to take over a piano that is about 15-20 years of age. He also mentioned that it needs tuning.

Just wondering if it is worth taking over or it is better to purchase a new one.

Appreciate any advise/feedback on this matter.

Thanks and regards,

Hello, old pianos can be tricky to buy, especially in Singapore climate. More so if he hasn't been playing it regularly and doesn't use a dehumidifier. There can be a variety of problems ranging from small ones like tuning to more complicated ones like mechanism/springs of the key not working, broken strings, or termite infestation.

Be sure to check thoroughly!!

[jedamum]

merclim:

I have only been looking around in town and in the west coz it is nearer for me.


Use the una corda for playing later in the night. Or get a newer piano with silent function.

smakul:

Forgot to ask, how to avoid being noisy playing Acoustic Piano in HDB after 10pm ... closing all doors ?

is it worth to get the silent function ones if prac after 10pm is only adhoc??
how much more expensive than the regular piano is the silent one? is it considered as digital piano already?

[jedamum]

FQW:

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.

thanks! how thick should the rug be? can use those type of cartoon rug for children?

[Dreamaurora]

jedamum:

merclim:

I have only been looking around in town and in the west coz it is nearer for me.


Use the una corda for playing later in the night. Or get a newer piano with silent function.



[quote=\"smakul\"]Forgot to ask, how to avoid being noisy playing Acoustic Piano in HDB after 10pm ... closing all doors ?

is it worth to get the silent function ones if prac after 10pm is only adhoc??
how much more expensive than the regular piano is the silent one? is it considered as digital piano already?[/quote]It's quite a bit more expensive, we are talking about a couple thousands more. A lot of times I have to practice from 12-4 AM in the morning. For my studio, I put double layers of carpet below the piano and also very thick curtains for my windows. And for good measure I also use the muter on my piano.

Yes, silent piano is basically a digital piano when you turn on the digital component of the piano, otherwise it functions as a proper acoustic piano. Another options that pianists like to use are buying a cheap no frill digital piano (can get a good one below 1K) or a hammer-weighted MIDI controller hooked to a PC (also below 1K).

[jedamum]

Dreamaurora:

jedamum:

[quote=\"merclim\"]I have only been looking around in town and in the west coz it is nearer for me.


Use the una corda for playing later in the night. Or get a newer piano with silent function.

is it worth to get the silent function ones if prac after 10pm is only adhoc??
how much more expensive than the regular piano is the silent one? is it considered as digital piano already?

It's quite a bit more expensive, we are talking about a couple thousands more. A lot of times I have to practice from 12-4 AM in the morning. For my studio, I put double layers of carpet below the piano and also very thick curtains for my windows. And for good measure I also use the muter on my piano.

Yes, silent piano is basically a digital piano when you turn on the digital component of the piano, otherwise it functions as a proper acoustic piano. Another options that pianists like to use are buying a cheap no frill digital piano (can get a good one below 1K) or a hammer-weighted MIDI controller hooked to a PC (also below 1K).[/quote]Thanks for the feedback.
Seems like I have to twick my ds2's practice hours as he likes to prac after dinner n I read that it is not good neigbourliness to play piano after 7pm. Not sure if getting him to switch between piano in the morning n keyboard at night will affect his finger control as he is only a beginner.