<![CDATA[European Upright Pianos under $10K]]>Would like to seek advice on affordable European upright pianos. Budget is $8K-$10K. Main purpose is to accompany violinist kids at diploma level.


Currently, I have only tried Bohemia 125 & 132 and found them ok and affordable. But would like to explore more options. Any recommendations for/against Bohemia 125/132 or other makes?

Any input/feedback/pointer is much appreciated 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/35236/european-upright-pianos-under-10kRSS for NodeSat, 25 Apr 2026 01:52:57 GMTWed, 02 May 2012 15:17:35 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:37:02 GMT]]>

rinakurniadi:
Btw, stumble upon a posting about kawai from dreamaurora in all about piano. additionally, yamaha sale bringing down price of u3 and yus1 closer to 10k

I actually tried both U3 (2 yo) and YUS 1 (2.5 mths old) in the showroom. As these are not European upright pianos, I will write about my brief encounter in the main \"All About Choosing Piano\" thread.

Thanks for looking out for fellow forumer 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779935https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779935Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:37:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:28:02 GMT]]>Btw, stumble upon a posting about kawai from dreamaurora in all about piano. additionally, yamaha sale bringing down price of u3 and yus1 closer to 10k

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779922https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779922Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:28:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Mon, 18 Jun 2012 01:48:28 GMT]]>

FQW:
Yeah yeah yeah, I got supporter liao. Sell the car, go cheaper vacations (they can be equally enjoyable), but with a nick like sautille, you've got to get a Sauter. Muahaha!

kekeke too evil... 😃

lucky sautille managed to neatly side-step your trap... :rotflmao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779440https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779440Mon, 18 Jun 2012 01:48:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sun, 17 Jun 2012 09:00:41 GMT]]>Hahaha…we are beginning to veer off topic…


Anyway, thanks all for your advice/suggestions. I do have to keep to my budget as there are other things on my bucket list…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779185https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779185Sun, 17 Jun 2012 09:00:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sun, 17 Jun 2012 04:30:00 GMT]]>Yeah yeah yeah, I got supporter liao. Sell the car, go cheaper vacations (they can be equally enjoyable), but with a nick like sautille, you’ve got to get a Sauter. Muahaha!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779089https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779089Sun, 17 Jun 2012 04:30:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sun, 17 Jun 2012 03:57:50 GMT]]>

FQW:
Or you can up your budget a little and get the piano you really like. And long term wise your children will benefit too. In the past, I've bought things that are not my first choice due to budgetting and I usually end up regretting. Furthermore you're so qualified and deserve something better. Think some shops allow installment payments. Jmho.

hey i really agree with FQW on this one ~ 😃
when we got the bechstein a1 it was like a few thousands bucks over the initial budget, but the whole family decided that we can give up our year-end overseas vacation to help finance it, and i can say it's really worthwhile, because we are getting so much joy out of it ~

ps. and it's not as if we play all that well either.. :rotflmao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779083https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779083Sun, 17 Jun 2012 03:57:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sun, 17 Jun 2012 01:57:49 GMT]]>Or you can up your budget a little and get the piano you really like. And long term wise your children will benefit too. In the past, I’ve bought things that are not my first choice due to budgetting and I usually end up regretting. Furthermore you’re so qualified and deserve something better. Think some shops allow installment payments. Jmho.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779036https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779036Sun, 17 Jun 2012 01:57:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sun, 17 Jun 2012 00:33:24 GMT]]>

Dreamaurora:


Oh I see, it's just that normally people who take LRSM/LTCL would have at least invested in a good grand/upright grand, though it is not mandatory. Why limit yourself to European models? Even NAFA and Lasalle use mostly Yamahas and Kawais in their studios. Anyway, I accompany strings and vocals, often the pianos used may not be ideal or fully in tune. The instrumentalists will need to able to adapt to these, it's part of their training.
I guess people have to make the best out what they have been given.

Since it is not realistic to get a European piano under $10K, I will have to look at the Japanese alternatives.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779007https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/779007Sun, 17 Jun 2012 00:33:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 16:43:05 GMT]]>

sautille:
Dreamaurora:

[quote=\"sautille\"]Hi rinakurniadi,


Unfortunately, I haven't found one that I like & can afford. I tried Petrof P135, P125 and P122. In terms of sound and touch, I like P125 the best but the price tag is >$12K.

I then tried Rösler (can't remember the model) but soon gave up because, for some reasons, the keys were really heavy.

I also tried Hoffman 120, which is currently on promotion at $10K. The sound is brighter than Petrof but the action is not as refined and responsive. I played Ravel's Toccata on it and had problems with the repeated notes (which I did not have when I played on the Bechstein next to it). Granted my technique is rusty but this is precisely why I need all the help I can get from the piano :rotflmao: BTW, I heard some parts of Hoffman were from China so strictly speaking, it is not quite a pure European piano.

Looks like my dream of owning a European piano under $10K is not so realistic after all.

Hmm, if you can play Ravel Toccata then you must be an LTCL/LRSM/BMus/BA grad right? Then surely your current piano must be good enough right and costing 10K above? Quite puzzled.

Why puzzled? My current piano is an Ellington which I bought many years ago from Renner for $4K. You are right about the qualification but what has it got to do with price of piano? I am buying a new one cos my piano is no longer tunable and I absolutely need it to be in tune so that I can accompany my children on the violin.[/quote]Oh I see, it's just that normally people who take LRSM/LTCL would have at least invested in a good grand/upright grand, though it is not mandatory. Why limit yourself to European models? Even NAFA and Lasalle use mostly Yamahas and Kawais in their studios. Anyway, I accompany strings and vocals, often the pianos used may not be ideal or fully in tune. The instrumentalists will need to able to adapt to these, it's part of their training.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778956https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778956Sat, 16 Jun 2012 16:43:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 16:21:58 GMT]]>

rinakurniadi:
Thank for sharing sautille. Like dreamaurora, i am too puzzled now.

Abt being the european piano.. how to check then?!
Btw, have you ever consider Korean instead of Japanese?
Saw an Albert Weber 131 cm at Cristofori, made by Youngchang.
I thought Yamaha u3 (or kawai k5) is highly overpriced in comparison to this one..
On the other hand, Yamaha may retain better resale value and sustain more quality over time (maybe?)
I was told that if a piano is entirely made in Europe, it will have a seal on it, like \"Made in Europe\". Petrof carries this seal but not Hoffman.

While I have not played on an Albert Weber, for some reasons, I never quite like the other Korean pianos that I tried. Thanks for the advice on Yamaha (and Kawai) though. Will bear that in mind when I go try them out.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778952https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778952Sat, 16 Jun 2012 16:21:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 16:03:21 GMT]]>Thank for sharing sautille. Like dreamaurora, i am too puzzled now.

Abt being the european piano… how to check then?!
Btw, have you ever consider Korean instead of Japanese?
Saw an Albert Weber 131 cm at Cristofori, made by Youngchang.
I thought Yamaha u3 (or kawai k5) is highly overpriced in comparison to this one…
On the other hand, Yamaha may retain better resale value and sustain more quality over time (maybe?)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778946https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778946Sat, 16 Jun 2012 16:03:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:58:44 GMT]]>Thank for sharing sautille. Like dreamaurora, i am too puzzled now.

Abt being the european piano… how to check then?!
Btw, have you ever consider Korean instead of Japanese?
Saw an Albert Weber 131 cm at Cristofori, made by Youngchang.
I thought Yamaha u3 (or kawai k5) is highly overpriced in comparison to this one…
On the other hand, Yamaha may retain better resale value and sustain more quality over time (maybe?)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778943https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778943Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:58:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:57:39 GMT]]>

Dreamaurora:
sautille:

Hi rinakurniadi,


Unfortunately, I haven't found one that I like & can afford. I tried Petrof P135, P125 and P122. In terms of sound and touch, I like P125 the best but the price tag is >$12K.

I then tried Rösler (can't remember the model) but soon gave up because, for some reasons, the keys were really heavy.

I also tried Hoffman 120, which is currently on promotion at $10K. The sound is brighter than Petrof but the action is not as refined and responsive. I played Ravel's Toccata on it and had problems with the repeated notes (which I did not have when I played on the Bechstein next to it). Granted my technique is rusty but this is precisely why I need all the help I can get from the piano :rotflmao: BTW, I heard some parts of Hoffman were from China so strictly speaking, it is not quite a pure European piano.

Looks like my dream of owning a European piano under $10K is not so realistic after all.

Hmm, if you can play Ravel Toccata then you must be an LTCL/LRSM/BMus/BA grad right? Then surely your current piano must be good enough right and costing 10K above? Quite puzzled.

Why puzzled? My current piano is an Ellington which I bought many years ago from Renner for $4K. You are right about the qualification but what has it got to do with price of piano? I am buying a new one cos my piano is no longer tunable and I absolutely need it to be in tune so that I can accompany my children on the violin.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778942https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778942Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:57:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:57:27 GMT]]>Thank for sharing sautille. Like dreamaurora, i am too puzzled now.

Abt being the european piano… how to check then?!
Btw, have you ever consider Korean instead of Japanese?
Saw an Albert Weber 131 cm at Cristofori, made by Youngchang.
I thought Yamaha u3 (or kawai k5) is highly overpriced in comparison to this one…
On the other hand, Yamaha may retain better resale value and sustain more quality over time (maybe?)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778941https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778941Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:57:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:29:34 GMT]]>

sautille:
Hi rinakurniadi,


Unfortunately, I haven't found one that I like & can afford. I tried Petrof P135, P125 and P122. In terms of sound and touch, I like P125 the best but the price tag is >$12K.

I then tried Rösler (can't remember the model) but soon gave up because, for some reasons, the keys were really heavy.

I also tried Hoffman 120, which is currently on promotion at $10K. The sound is brighter than Petrof but the action is not as refined and responsive. I played Ravel's Toccata on it and had problems with the repeated notes (which I did not have when I played on the Bechstein next to it). Granted my technique is rusty but this is precisely why I need all the help I can get from the piano :rotflmao: BTW, I heard some parts of Hoffman were from China so strictly speaking, it is not quite a pure European piano.

Looks like my dream of owning a European piano under $10K is not so realistic after all.
Hmm, if you can play Ravel Toccata then you must be an LTCL/LRSM/BMus/BA grad right? Then surely your current piano must be good enough right and costing 10K above? Quite puzzled.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778929https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778929Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:29:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:02:57 GMT]]>Hi rinakurniadi,


Unfortunately, I haven't found one that I like & can afford. I tried Petrof P135, P125 and P122. In terms of sound and touch, I like P125 the best but the price tag is >$12K.

I then tried Rösler (can't remember the model) but soon gave up because, for some reasons, the keys were really heavy.

I also tried Hoffman 120, which is currently on promotion at $10K. The sound is brighter than Petrof but the action is not as refined and responsive. I played Ravel's Toccata on it and had problems with the repeated notes (which I did not have when I played on the Bechstein next to it). Granted my technique is rusty but this is precisely why I need all the help I can get from the piano :rotflmao: BTW, I heard some parts of Hoffman were from China so strictly speaking, it is not quite a pure European piano.

Looks like my dream of owning a European piano under $10K is not so realistic after all.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778917https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/778917Sat, 16 Jun 2012 15:02:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:40:17 GMT]]>Hi sautille

have you got your piano? Would you mind sharing which one did yoi get?
I called gramercy but they told me that bohemia upright is no longer in production?!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/774531https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/774531Tue, 05 Jun 2012 14:40:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sun, 06 May 2012 15:58:25 GMT]]>I was at Chiu Piano in Thomson Plaza today. Learned that British Kemble is now made in Indonesia and American Kohler & Campbell is now made in Korea. All other European-made upright pianos there are >$20K. Looks like I need to pay Petrof dealer a visit 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757336https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/757336Sun, 06 May 2012 15:58:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Sat, 05 May 2012 00:45:05 GMT]]>Many thanks to all who replied!


I tried Bohemia in Gramercy. Will check out what's available at Chiu Piano too 😄

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756668https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756668Sat, 05 May 2012 00:45:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Fri, 04 May 2012 00:18:31 GMT]]>i heard a Bohemia at Gramercy Piano (Tanjong Katong). The sound is quite nice but a little "muffled" to me…


for pianos of comparable price range i also prefer Petrof or Hoffmann ~

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756106https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756106Fri, 04 May 2012 00:18:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Thu, 03 May 2012 15:47:49 GMT]]>Who sells Bohemia pianos here? I know Bohemia also has upright models and I’m guessing that the price range should be close to Petrof since both are Czech made.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756042https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/756042Thu, 03 May 2012 15:47:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to European Upright Pianos under $10K on Thu, 03 May 2012 13:24:11 GMT]]>

sautille:
Would like to seek advice on affordable European upright pianos. Budget is $8K-$10K. Main purpose is to accompany violinist kids at diploma level.


Currently, I have only tried Bohemia 125 & 132 and found them ok and affordable. But would like to explore more options. Any recommendations for/against Bohemia 125/132 or other makes?

Any input/feedback/pointer is much appreciated 😄
There are not many options of European Pianos within your budget. Perhaps you may want to try Hoffmann-V120 at Cristofori, Petrof at Pianomaster, Chiu's Piano has a few nice pianos that you may find interesting.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/755969https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/755969Thu, 03 May 2012 13:24:11 GMT