All About Choosing and Buying Pianos
-
For us, we shopped around based on those ads in the papers. For a start, I recall visiting Kawai music school at parkway (they carry 2nd hand pianos), another shops in Toa Payoh and Suntec before going to century piano at liang court. I was tempted to go to Cristofori becoz of the ads but decided to give it a miss based on the teacher’s comments.
I think we end up with century piano because they had quite a good range. They will also touch up the piano so the condition looks new and much nicer as compared to those we saw. It’s been 3 yrs and their after sales is good. They are the ones who call me up to remind me about tuning (even when it’s free). So I never have to remember. Also, I feel that they "don’t " run away after selling us the piano. The owner is still tuning and taking care of the piano. His tuning cost $70 (1/2 yrly). Also, we’ve shifted the piano twice using movers they recommend and everything is still working well.
Note that they will usually “open” up the piano to show the “interior”… we are layman so we just check if anything is “broken” or “rusty” or if it looks ok… Also price wise is close after looking around, so we felt it’s a better buy comparing what we saw. A friend got hers at a shop along upper/ bukit timah area and she’s happy too.
But one observation is that it’s not easy to get a apple to apple comparison as the age and condition of those 2nd hand piano differs.
Note that for yamaha piano, there is a code on each piano that is engraved on the interior. The shop usually has a book that shows for each code, which year,etc… was it mfg. So the shop can’t lie about the age of the piano.
It’s probably good to set a budget and ask them to recommend on your budget. The price should be negotiable.
Hope that helps. -
MMM:
Thanks ! At least i know where to go but which brand is more recommended ? Do i need to bring my girl to 'test' it ?For us, we shopped around based on those ads in the papers. For a start, I recall visiting Kawai music school at parkway (they carry 2nd hand pianos), another shops in Toa Payoh and Suntec before going to century piano at liang court. I was tempted to go to Cristofori becoz of the ads but decided to give it a miss based on the teacher's comments.
I think we end up with century piano because they had quite a good range. They will also touch up the piano so the condition looks new and much nicer as compared to those we saw. It's been 3 yrs and their after sales is good. They are the ones who call me up to remind me about tuning (even when it's free). So I never have to remember. Also, I feel that they \"don't \" run away after selling us the piano. The owner is still tuning and taking care of the piano. His tuning cost $70 (1/2 yrly). Also, we've shifted the piano twice using movers they recommend and everything is still working well.
Note that they will usually \"open\" up the piano to show the \"interior\"... we are layman so we just check if anything is \"broken\" or \"rusty\" or if it looks ok... Also price wise is close after looking around, so we felt it's a better buy comparing what we saw. A friend got hers at a shop along upper/ bukit timah area and she's happy too.
But one observation is that it's not easy to get a apple to apple comparison as the age and condition of those 2nd hand piano differs.
Note that for yamaha piano, there is a code on each piano that is engraved on the interior. The shop usually has a book that shows for each code, which year,etc... was it mfg. So the shop can't lie about the age of the piano.
It's probably good to set a budget and ask them to recommend on your budget. The price should be negotiable.
Hope that helps. -
Error
-
It would be good if she is already good at the piano and see what she likes as well. Shop around and enjoy the process.
I think our girl was only K1 or K2 when we got the piano. She was encouraged to test it though there are only few simple songs she knows. But how can we hear if it is good based on those twinkle twinkle little star songs? We got the sales people to play the songs for us too to hear how it sounds.
In terms of brands, personally I prefer Yamaha or Kawai (though the expert will tell you that there is a difference between the 2). I am too layman to understand. Talk to the various sales people and hear their comments. I think there are korea brand pianos too and of course those european high end ones as well : ) You will hear comments like oh this is now made in china,etc… I equate buying pianos to those of a car. Which brand? Japanese, chinese, korea or european??? Personally, I prefer a yamaha or kawai given their brand equity and it’s widely used. So resale would be better too. -
MMM:
thanks for yr sharing will start sourcing, hope to get a gd deal !It would be good if she is already good at the piano and see what she likes as well. Shop around and enjoy the process.
I think our girl was only K1 or K2 when we got the piano. She was encouraged to test it though there are only few simple songs she knows. But how can we hear if it is good based on those twinkle twinkle little star songs? We got the sales people to play the songs for us too to hear how it sounds.
In terms of brands, personally I prefer Yamaha or Kawai (though the expert will tell you that there is a difference between the 2). I am too layman to understand. Talk to the various sales people and hear their comments. I think there are korea brand pianos too and of course those european high end ones as well : ) You will hear comments like oh this is now made in china,etc... I equate buying pianos to those of a car. Which brand? Japanese, chinese, korea or european??? Personally, I prefer a yamaha or kawai given their brand equity and it's widely used. So resale would be better too. -
My experience with Cristofori (Funan Mall) was quite OK. The sales staff was quite knowledgeable and helpful. They do have a buy back policy+ 2 free tunings+10 years warranty. The after sales service was good too.
I bought the non-exam model since my son was a beginner then.
Before the exam, I would then book the studio (exam centre) for him to
practise on the actual exam piano(2-3 times). Heard that exam model is
more expensive and may not be the exact model that you buy so I
compromise by doing the above. -
I bought a 20 year old U2 (higher than exam model as height is 125-8cm) Yamaha for $1700 from Shelleys. This includes moving to your house and 1st tuning.
He also sources his pianos from Japan and recondition them himself.
He does not have a shopfront to save rent.
His warehouse is in Eunos.
He recommends a friend who does tuning for $50.
Think you shd be able to get his number from yellowpages.com.
He also has a buy-back scheme for his 2nd hand pianos.
Exam model must be at least 121cm tall. For Yamaha, at means a U1 model.
Be careful as U1 models may be made in Indonesia.
Hence I bought a U2 as all U2’s are made in Japan. -
I just a 2nd hand 20 years U1 yamaha piano from this place which offers fantastic service, should anyone requires recommendation, please pm me.
-
Hoping to get a 2nd hand U1 or U2 yamaha piano, any lobang, let me know. Thanks!
-
Actually not all U1 are made in Indonesia, U1 are usually made in Japan, but JU xx are made in Indonesia, U1 model is usually the exam model and has a height of 121cm which provides a richer, more resonant voice. Hope information helps.
-
hugeclaw:
Hoping to get a 2nd hand U1 or U2 yamaha piano, any lobang, let me know. Thanks!
Can you pm me or drop me an email and I can provide you with some contacts [email protected] -
Hi spring5
Seems like you have got a good deal for your exam-grade model. Could you let me have the contact of Shelley’s at Eunos? I found a Shelley’s thru yellow pages but it is at Toa Payoh. -
Besides going to the 2nd hand dealer, you may also go direct to owner. Try ebay, gumtree etc, search “piano for sale”, you may able to get a good deal, I just got one Kawai(exam model and less than 4 yrs) from an American who leaving Spore at a very good price. But just remember that will not come with warranty, so need to view the piano carefully before place deposit. Good luck!
-
Do check the serial number first as they will tell how old the piano is.
-
June:
Actually not all U1 are made in Indonesia, U1 are usually made in Japan, but JU xx are made in Indonesia, U1 model is usually the exam model and has a height of 121cm which provides a richer, more resonant voice. Hope information helps.
Yes correct
I want to add on http://www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/piano/product/oceania/acoustic/upright/lxlu_s/lxlu_s.html
& from my knowledge U1J is made in Indonesia
U1S is made in the US, some people found it not suitable for tropical climate.
Quality wise I wouldnot say that they differ a lot from those made in Japan, since they are produced under strict Yamaha quality control.
I would say that they, in my opinion, are better than many China-made ones.
Beware if you decided to invest in European made pianos.
Many of them are not suitable for high temperature and high humidity in tropical countries like Singapore, so you might need to reconsider or else invest more for humidity controlled room. Experts suggest 42% of humidity level is necessary for the maintenance of optimum sound reproduction.
Regards, -
Hi all
My daughter has recently expressed interest in learning piano. However due to tight constraints, I am thinking of starting on the keyboard first. Does anyone have a electronic keyboard to let go ?
Many thanks -
My girl have been learning piano for about 2 years, till now she still practising using keyboard. Would like to get her a piano but like all parents worry she might lost interest … anyone heard of Samick brand? Is it good enough for beginners or better get a second hand Kawai or yamaha instead… pls help
-
Cin:
My girl have been learning piano for about 2 years, till now she still practising using keyboard. Would like to get her a piano but like all parents worry she might lost interest .. anyone heard of Samick brand? Is it good enough for beginners or better get a second hand Kawai or yamaha instead.. pls help
I have never touch a Samick before, except once many years ago. (couldnt remember)
But I know Samick is korean brand. Some are made in Indonesia and China.
I know many say that China made piano are getting better, but since I have never touch a recent one, I could not comment further.
IMO, I'd rather go for second hand Yamaha or Kawai. But you have to be very selective as not all second hand (made in Japan and shipped from Japan) are in good condition. But most are around 20 years old (from families during Japan booming economy in the 1980s). Some are seldom played, but some are just like any other piano. Bring along experienced friend or technician.
IMO, also dun buy refurbished / reconditioned piano. They are not refurbished by Yamaha or Kawai, so, the quality may be inferior.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Joseph -
June:
Actually not all U1 are made in Indonesia, U1 are usually made in Japan, but JU xx are made in Indonesia, U1 model is usually the exam model and has a height of 121cm which provides a richer, more resonant voice. Hope information helps.
Hi, we were looking at JU109 from Yamaha as it is having a promotion for the model now. The model is 109cm in height. We were told that the model is good til Grade 5. Any comments whether this is correct? Is there a lot of difference bet made in Japan and Indonesia? Thanks in advance. -
I’ve just started to learn piano, now practising on a portable keyboard. Wanted to buy a digital piano to save space but has heavier keys close to a real piano. Intended to let my kid use it too when he starts piano lesson in 6-12mths time.
Is it possible to get one with $1000 budget? Any recommedations? I know nuts about choosing a piano!