All About Choosing and Buying Pianos
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wkrf:
Thanks for all who have pmed me. Really appreciate your advice.Hi,
I was looking at digital pianos 2-3 weeks back and realised that given the situation that if I should get a digital piano, later on I would still eventually need to get an acoustic piano if my DS continues to pursue piano lessons.
Therefore, I am contemplating a second-hand Yamaha U3. My budget is around $5K or less, of course if can get at 4K will be better.
May I know, given budget 4K-5K, besides Yamaha U3, what other make and model can be an option for me?
Many thanks in advance. -
Hi
Can someone tell me whether all yamaha u3 made and assemble all in japan only? -
s277400:
Summary: As far as I know, every single Yamaha U3 piano that has ever been made has come directly from the premium quality Yamaha factory in Hamamatsu, towards the South West region of Japan. I believe even the brand new Yamaha U3 pianos are still being made in this same factory. So as long as you can find a professionally reconditioned U3 then you can be sure of getting a top quality piano.Hi
Can someone tell me whether all yamaha u3 made and assemble all in japan only?
Source: http://www.markgoodwinpianos.co.uk/info/yamaha-u3-made-in-japan
Hope this helps. -
Thanks wrkf
Can you enlighten me a brand new U3 price? and what do you think a 10 years old U3 worth? Just a guide to me as i really know nothing about piano, just started my son with piano. Thanks. -
s277400:
U3 is about 10K onwards (do not have the actual figure, you may want to just pop by a Yamaha shop (e.g. Plaza Singapore) to do a quick check).Thanks wrkf
Can you enlighten me a brand new U3 price? and what do you think a 10 years old U3 worth? Just a guide to me as i really know nothing about piano, just started my son with piano. Thanks.
For a used U3, you are probably looking at 3.5-5K. -
Today we bought another piano to upgrade, as my girls are now taking grade 5.
I am now looking to sell my pre-loved piano.
We had it since 2005, and bought it second-hand. It is not one with famous brand, and I understood that it was already 10+ years old when we bought it. We were told that it was made in a factory in Hong Kong.
The piano is 131cm tall, and is still in excellent condition. We had it tuned regularly, and last tuning was 2 weeks ago. My girls practised on it every week. In fact, after we bought our piano today, they came back and played on our old piano again - seemed unwilling to part with it. Piano should be good for beginners.
PM me if you are interested. -
Somebody selling Yamaha u1 piano :-
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=55380 -
Hi, is it okay to buy those pianos that has been displayed at showrooms for some time? Any issues?
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waiyean:
Hi, is it okay to buy those pianos that has been displayed at showrooms for some time? Any issues?
Those pianos should be cheaper. Showroom pieces would have been subjected to demos by sales persons and potential buyers. If you don't mind these, then should be ok. These pieces would be better then used pianos, i guess. -
I was shown a 30+ piano recently, recondition. inside is very new and the dealer claims imported from Japan. how much can I trust them.
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wkrf:
Hi, any idea what kind of discount i can expect for such showroom pieces? 5 to 10% reasonable?waiyean:
Hi, is it okay to buy those pianos that has been displayed at showrooms for some time? Any issues?
Those pianos should be cheaper. Showroom pieces would have been subjected to demos by sales persons and potential buyers. If you don't mind these, then should be ok. These pieces would be better then used pianos, i guess. -
I suspect more than that. Their promotions already offer that sort of discount
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Yamaha Plaza Singapura recently cleared their showroom pieces (April). They also had discount offers for their acoustic pianos. The next one would be school holidays.
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s277400:
I was shown a 30+ piano recently, recondition. inside is very new and the dealer claims imported from Japan. how much can I trust them.
Quite a few dealers bring in pianos from Japan. A good piece can last you for long time, that's what they say. -
Hi,
I own a Kemble, lovely English piano bought a decade ago. I now play for leisure. My dd (5.5yo) has just started her piano lessons and the problem is, I neglected my Kemble for a long time (living in dormitory, working and living overseas) and when I finally getting tuned, I was told it couldn’t be tuned back to perfect pitch since it has been left untuned for so long and the risk of snapping the strings are great. So my piano is a semitone lower than perfect pitch.
I believe this would affect my daughter’s hearing in the long run, should she be serious in continue this musical journey? And since I owned an English piano, I really love the clarity and tinkling of the higher notes n would love to upgrade to another European piano. I tried the shimmel c126t at Chiu piano and loved, loved, loved the booming and clarity of the bass notes and the sharp whistling of the higher notes. Tried the Vogel (made by schimmel Poland factory) but the higher notes sound muffled and surprisingly, I thought the same of the Wilh Steinberg models too.
But…the schimmel price tag is really abit hard to swallow…anyone knows of another brands that would provide the same kind of crisp sound that I like (eps for the high notes). Despite my wish to get a European piano, I’m open to any other brands too coz u never know when u might have an accidental gem.
All recommendations are welcomed! -
Anyone has any comments on an SK 3?
Was at Robert piano this afternoon, and found the keys a bit light. The tone sounds good though. -
My student’s mother is selling her used Yamaha CVP-94/92.
$500
Contact Mrs. Teo, 82216818 -
missk:
Hi missk,
I also liked the Grotrain, and Wendl & Lung (but too expensive for me). I was offered a 40 yr old Ohhashi piano that also had a very european sound.
Any reasons for liking the Grotrian? Have you played on one, and if so was it the upright or grand? I am looking at ths brand, but no dealer is currently carrying a unit of Grotrian in Singapore. -
waiyean:
Pianomaster is the local dealer for Grotrian. I played on a Grotrian grand on one of my trips there. I liked the crystal clear clarity and cleanness of the subtly sweet tone; I think it's very suited to play classical piano sonatas. I do recall I wish for more power and depth to the sound though, so if you play a lot of romantic repertoire you may not find it to your liking.
Hi missk,missk:
I also liked the Grotrain, and Wendl & Lung (but too expensive for me). I was offered a 40 yr old Ohhashi piano that also had a very european sound.
Any reasons for liking the Grotrian? Have you played on one, and if so was it the upright or grand? I am looking at ths brand, but no dealer is currently carrying a unit of Grotrian in Singapore. -
missk:
Same sentiment as you, I swear by my K80 which I think is one of the best upright grands money can buy. I love mellow tones as well because I feel I can achieve a wider range of colors and expressions in my pieces. Deep brooding minor key pieces often do not sound exactly right with bright sounding pianos. Beside a K80 I also own a Weinberg G-185 grand which is very sweet and bright. It is a lovely piano to play too but I wouldn't play some pieces such as Rachmaninov Op 3 No 2 so much on it.
Last year, bought a 30+ yr old but probably reconditioned Kawai upright grand ku 5d at less than 4k. Best purchase ever so far!!! Well given the price, it would b a steal if it lasts 10 yrs anyway. The seller was very upfront in telling me that he would not know if the piano was original parts or reconditioned.kikimama:
Hi,
I own a Kemble, lovely English piano bought a decade ago. I now play for leisure. My dd (5.5yo) has just started her piano lessons and the problem is, I neglected my Kemble for a long time (living in dormitory, working and living overseas) and when I finally getting tuned, I was told it couldn't be tuned back to perfect pitch since it has been left untuned for so long and the risk of snapping the strings are great. So my piano is a semitone lower than perfect pitch.
I believe this would affect my daughter's hearing in the long run, should she be serious in continue this musical journey? And since I owned an English piano, I really love the clarity and tinkling of the higher notes n would love to upgrade to another European piano. I tried the shimmel c126t at Chiu piano and loved, loved, loved the booming and clarity of the bass notes and the sharp whistling of the higher notes. Tried the Vogel (made by schimmel Poland factory) but the higher notes sound muffled and surprisingly, I thought the same of the Wilh Steinberg models too.
But...the schimmel price tag is really abit hard to swallow....anyone knows of another brands that would provide the same kind of crisp sound that I like (eps for the high notes). Despite my wish to get a European piano, I'm open to any other brands too coz u never know when u might have an accidental gem.
All recommendations are welcomed!
I have played piano since childhood, and so I have been looking for the tones needed for advanced grades. This piano fits the bill exactly for me. It has a very mellow, singing sound in the treble which is pleasing, but a very very deep bass. None of the yamaha I played was suitable for me (they have a nice treble but I find the bass lacking). According to the technician, most higher range kawais have 5 backposts, but yamaha only has 3. But they say yamaha parts are better.
I find the kawai Ku series, US series of tall upright grands pleasing, it might b what u r looking for. However that said, I tested 2 kawai upright grands same model with completely different sounds. It boils down to the condition for second hand piano.
I also liked the Grotrain, and Wendl & Lung (but too expensive for me). I was offered a 40 yr old Ohhashi piano that also had a very european sound.