All About Choosing and Buying Pianos
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Thank you very much for those valid points, Pianoprincess!
I may have been reading too much in other non-local forums about grands. My online research on China-made and Indonesia-made pianos turn up similar reservations you raised. Still putting careful thought and weighing all considerations- now I have an idea of which aspects to look into regarding child's skill devt, and which recommended piano models. Not ready to take the plunge yet... -
Hi, need some advice regarding purchasing an upright vs grand.
It is known that some uprights are better than entry level grands.
For uprights, there are the Kawai K8, Steinway K-52, Petrof P135, Yamaha YUS5 etc. At least these are few of those uprights I know of. Please let me know if there are any others worth looking into.
On the other hand, there are the grands. Entry level ones are out. My question is, what models and price point at the minimum should I be looking at, to make sense of getting a grand vs above mentioned uprights?
I understand that a grand will probably cost more, and let’s take the size consideration out for the moment. I am trying to figure out how much more I have to pay, for a grand that is significantly better than the higher range of uprights, if I am to go the way of the grand. Thanks. -
bebebub:
Have you compared them with say Yamaha U1 or YUS-1?I am looking to upgrade our piano.
May I seek comments/advice/reviews on Kohler & Campbell(made in Korea)and Ellington(made in China). Both models stand at 131cm, similar pricing.
The respective dealer 'claimed' their piano is made of European/German parts. Should I be concerned with their assembly origin? If u hv to make a choice, which would you go for, or none at all? TIA. -
waiyean:
If space is not a concern, you can consider the Shigeru Kawai series - very well-built and gorgeous grands. My est. is that a SK-3 would cost around S$50K while the K-52 upright would cost slightly more. If space is no concern, I'll know which one I'll go for. :drool:
I understand that a grand will probably cost more, and let's take the size consideration out for the moment. I am trying to figure out how much more I have to pay, for a grand that is significantly better than the higher range of uprights, if I am to go the way of the grand. Thanks. -
FQW:
Yes agree, very well built and they are beauties. My daughter performed on a Shigeru Kawai EX recently, and in her simple words said it's \"nice to play\". The EX is too costly, and will probably look at the SK3/6 instead.
If space is not a concern, you can consider the Shigeru Kawai series. very nice and well built grands.
Was wondering if there were any other models I should look at. -
hi all, i'm back
i tried the Sauter MasterClass with Alvin for 2 hours. truly an enjoyable experience! it's indeed a very versatile piano. -
Take a look at Bosendorfer. They are now under the umbrella of Yamaha. If you plan to get a grand, you need to look at a min of a 6 ft, otherwise no point.
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sautille:
Yamaha U3 is 131cm too
Have you compared them with say Yamaha U1 or YUS-1?bebebub:
I am looking to upgrade our piano.
May I seek comments/advice/reviews on Kohler & Campbell(made in Korea)and Ellington(made in China). Both models stand at 131cm, similar pricing.
The respective dealer 'claimed' their piano is made of European/German parts. Should I be concerned with their assembly origin? If u hv to make a choice, which would you go for, or none at all? TIA. -
Champagne1975:
I thought so too - the points in blue.
I would like to upgrade to a final piano.
But I do wonder if she has been hampered in any way by her instrument or environment- if the instrument cost more, she (us?) might be more motivated? Both kids are the only ones with any musical training. I cannot trust the younger one to be steadfast in interest.
I guess I'd bring her around to choose her own piano on her own preference but she is easily swayed by salespersons too?
Brought my dd2 to shop for a piano when she was 5 years old. We started with 2nd hand shops but she was unenthusiastic. She perked up when we brought her to yamaha showroom and she fell in love with U3 at first sight. Although hubby felt that Kawai seems to sound slightly better in the showroom, my dd insisted she only wanted yamaha & must be a U3. Totally don't give face to Kawai salesperson when she announced loudly yamaha is better :rotflmao:
And knowing how much we paid for her brand new toy ( I know we're :siao: to buy a brand new piano for a beginner, she just converted from group lessons to individual lesson at that time) but I think psychologically she's spurred to practise harder and persist in her learning journey even though it became tougher & tougher along the way
And whenever she's slacked, we told her 'it's fine to drop piano, anyway daddy is waiting to trade your piano for an omega watch'. She is immediately 'motivated' again, super protective of her pricey possession -
sleepy:
Although hubby felt that Kawai seems to sound slightly better in the showroom, my dd insisted she only wanted yamaha & must be a U3. Totally don't give face to Kawai salesperson when she announced loudly yamaha is better :rotflmao: :
I also like Yamaha, leh. Altho' I cannot bring myself to buy a yamaha for the price they cost, the used pianos that I've bought have always been compared with touch and tone quality of the Yamaha that I loved playing in church. ;D