All About Choosing and Buying Pianos
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Mine starts with 2, so yrs is newer. The Yamaha website allows you to search for the age via serial number.
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I am going to confirm a 2nd hand 6yr old Pearl River ( UP-108M) piano @ $1400. is the price ok?
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tiredmummy1972:
I am going to confirm a 2nd hand 6yr old Pearl River ( UP-108M) piano @ $1400. is the price ok?
Hi Tired Mummy,
The only way to know whether the 6 year old Pearl River is a good price is to check the price of a new Pearl River of the same model and calculate the depreciation value from there. If the piano is in excellent condition, then any price between 70% to 60% of a new Pearl River would be reasonable. The depreciation schedule may be found on:
http://www.pianobuyer.com/spring12/65.html
Just fyi, early last month, someone offered me an Exam-Model Christofori for $1K. However, the seller was unable to give me the model or serial number (probably due to language differences which made communication between us difficult), but said that she had tuned it regularly every 6 months until her DD gave up learning the instrument. She also said it was around 6 to 8 years old... She did offer to let me try out the piano though. I never got round to going to her home or to the Christofori shop to check out the prices or the piano, coz I had already decided on a Yamaha.
My piano tuner told me that Cristofori pianos are made by the same manufacturer as Pearl River, as Cristofori is an EOM brand (you can commission the factory to put any brand name on a batch of pianos and market it as such, but all pianos of with the same model specifications bearing different brand names are essentially the same piano). So if you are keen, you could check up on both brands and compare prices. I believe that Cristofori sells used pianos in their shops / warehouses too. In fact they just had a warehouse sale last month. -
Hi MusicArmor,
I’ve never been to Piano Gallery before, but a 10 year guaruantee sounds like a good deal to me…Quite a few people have assured me that pianos can last many decades even in Singapore’s weather conditions, and it’s very rare for strings or soundboards to break (as long as heater is left on 24/7 and termites don’t eat up the soundboard). However, heavily used pianos may need to have their hammers re-felted after a few decades, and for this is easily done for Yamaha pianos. I’ve been told it costs only about $1k+ to change the entire set of worn-out hammers on a U1 or U3, but that shouldn’t happen unless the piano is very heavily used… Just open the top and see how thick the felt is on the hammers, and use a brand new yamaha U3 as a point of comparison. -
Can any one advise me on Samick pianos? Is Samick good enough for beginners? I’m thinking of getting a new upright exam model for my 5 year old.
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I just bought a brand new U1 (Japan assembled) from Yamaha. When it was delivered last week, out of curiousity, I decided to try online and check on its age. To my astonishment, the piano is assembled in 2009/2010. Is is common to get a brand new piano which is already almost-3 years old?
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Oh My Gosh:
Is is common to get a brand new piano which is already almost-3 years old?
Possible, may be old stock and 3 years is not very long considering the life span of a piano. The piano may have been brought in some time ago but demand was low. As long as a check was done to ensure everything is as it should be then I guess it's acceptable. Did you get it direct from Yamaha or a dealer? -
Hi
I have a Asahi Piano to let go. Piano is still in excellent condition.
Height: 121 cm
Color : Black
Price : S$1700 (neg)
Parts are from Japan and assemble in North Korea.
Tuned regularly. Heater is ON 24hours. It comes with adjustable height chair.
Piano is less than 10years old.
Viewing is at Sengkang. Buyer has to arrange your own transport.
This piano can last till Grade 8.
Reason for letting go is moving to a rental place and owner does not allow piano.
Please email me direct at [email protected] -
jce:
Direct from Yamaha.Oh My Gosh:
Is is common to get a brand new piano which is already almost-3 years old?
Possible, may be old stock and 3 years is not very long considering the life span of a piano. The piano may have been brought in some time ago but demand was low. As long as a check was done to ensure everything is as it should be then I guess it's acceptable. Did you get it direct from Yamaha or a dealer? -
Hmm…I would have thought their turnover would be much faster.
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Hi Hi
Needed some advice & feedback on these two cristofori models, JT 123 & UH 123.
Thks -
Dear all
Is it a must to get metronome for beginner? My kids are grade 1 now but their teacher did not say hv to get that. But many of my friends said it is necessary. -
Hi
My girl already in her Grade 5. Have never used the metronome. Using metronome is for children not sure of their scales. It’s quite dependent and distracting.
Do not buy unless the piano teacher say so. -
Finally step into Piano Master and seriously thinking of purchasing HL125.
Appreciate feedback if this is sufficient for DS1 who’s studying for Grade 5. He seems interested to pursue further thus would like something that last him as don’t think I’ll purchase another piano.
Also, may I know those who have used HL125 for a few years, any problems or changes in the tones?
By the way, if anyone is thinking of buying HL125, can PM me? Perhaps we can bargain for a better rate?
Cheers, -
sushigal:
Hi
My girl already in her Grade 5. Have never used the metronome. Using metronome is for children not sure of their scales. It's quite dependent and distracting.
Do not buy unless the piano teacher say so.
Thanks for the reply. I will skip it then. -
heyhoe
I just confirm the order of Hailun Hl125 and they will deliver it tomorrow. -
Heyhoe / bktan02,
Have you all tried the Hailun model H-33P, H-5 model & Wendl & Lung 122 at PianoMaster ?
If yes, are there any much difference in the touch & tone ?
Also read from somewhere that there will be new Hailun “V” series, which is supposed to be of higher quality. -
NICKW
I have no musical background and know nothing about touch & tone. I tried Hailun HL125 and another Hailun model which is taller but I forget what model. The taller one sound nicer but exceed my budget. So I choose HL 125 which is within my budget, better and more worth compare with the Christofori model which I saw on the same day from another shop. -
zero_mist:
hi hiHi Hi
Needed some advice & feedback on these two cristofori models, JT 123 & UH 123.
Thks
any advice? E differences between e two r $500.
JT r made in japan,so r e parts,except keys made of plastic.
UH r assembled by Pearl River using German parts n soundboard designed by L Tommas. Key r made of wood.
Our DS oso has no preferrences as she oni 7 mths into piano.
Thanks -
sushigal:
My girl already in her Grade 5. Have never used the metronome. Using metronome is for children not sure of their scales. It's quite dependent and distracting.
Does the teacher count for her or can she do it independently?
I use ibeat application on ipad or iphonebe because i hate the annoying sound.
Nearly eveyone uses metronome. Even my teachers play with the methrome. When the rhythm gets really complicated at advanced grade or whenever students do not have the techniques to handle their pieces, they use it to check their pulse.Village Girl:
I use it in lesson but wouldn't recommend it to absolute beginners to be used on their own.Is it a must to get metronome for beginner? My kids are grade 1 now but their teacher did not say hv to get that. But many of my friends said it is necessary.