Piano

[mmbiker]

Who here knows a thing or two about Piano?

My wife is a Pianist and I promise her to get her a decent piano.

If my house has the space, I would go with a used grand piano, but I don't. So is out of the question right now.

What's a good upright piano? Similar to watches, Canada, the tiny city I live in, is horrible place to buy a new or used piano. Will dealer ship to another city? If so, I can go to Vancouver, BC to get one I suppose.

Just a bit clueless right now. My budget is around $10k CAD, I think that's a good budget.

I do want to surprise her, but that might not be a good idea. I suppose I can always include her during the purchase.

What's your thought? I am sure there are many piano player on TRF :)

thx

[GerardoG]

I am not a player, but my son is (13 year old but rated as a 16-19 year old player). As far as I know, best of the best is Steinway, they do manufacture upright and also have a 'sister' brand (just like Tudor and Rolex). Hope this helps.

[slorollin]

If you don't get the responses that you need here I bet there are music and maybe even piano specific forums out there with experts ready to help. Good luck!

[The Joker]

There is lots of high-end brands, but are probably gonna be out your budget unless really old.

Would recommend Yamaha, solid as a rock, used in many teaching establishments throughout the world. I have a standard height U1, a U3 is taller with a slightly better sound. Mine is also a silent piano, has electrics built in also, a MIDI out, the strings can be silenced and can practice with headphones.

Can get good deals if buying 2nd hand, maybe look on eBay, hire a company to move it. If buying 2nd hand get a new a piano as possible, think there is a website that will match serial numbers with when built.

[superstarmar]

Top 3 brands ...
Steinway , Baldwin and Yamaha.
You might also want to look at a
Kurzweil digital piano as well ...

[swils8610]

You can tune a piano but you can't tune a fish!!

[GerardoG]

Just asked my son. Other Steinway brand is Boston

http://www.steinway.com/pianos/boston

[5Zigen]

Steinway, Baldwin and Kawai, I've played on all 3. I have found Yamaha a hit and miss at least with their grands.

[Tri-Tip]

I read the title and thought I saw Plano (as in Texas).

[Alexwwjd]

I like Kawai. Good price and quality as well. It's an excellent idea to include your wife in the purchase. I think it is something she will enjoy.


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[mmbiker]

Interesting, my wife mention about Boston! Being a sister brand to Steinway is definitely interesting.

How much do they go for? Any clue if dealer in Canada?


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[ref1655]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Would recommend Yamaha, solid as a rock, used in many teaching establishments throughout the world. I have a standard height U1, a U3 is taller with a slightly better sound....If buying 2nd hand get a new a piano as possible, think there is a website that will match serial numbers with when built.

+1...Yamaha makes a very good upright piano. as aforementioned, if opting for a used model, buy the newest one possible as the string tension over time distorts the wood. a good used U3 (depending on age) can run anywhere from around $2.5K-$4K...new, closer to around $9K+.

when space limitations are an issue, an upright or baby grand will provide more than enough volume & tone. avoid spinet sized/style pianos for this reason.

keyboard action is another consideration but that is a personal preference. a friend of mine who is a classical concert pianist prefers the action of a Steinway & Sons grand, has the highest regard for the tone & depth of Yamaha grand pianos but owns a Baldwin himself...go figure.

if moving the piano, hire a pro (not a typical furniture mover) & let the instrument settle for a day or two before having it re-tuned.

used pianos of all styles are readily available on the open market...one of the reasons they can be hard to sell at times. if opting for pre-owned, you are in the driver's seat. take some time on this purchase & scrutinize not only the price, but age & condition of the instrument.

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by mmbiker

Interesting, my wife mention about Boston! Being a sister brand to Steinway is definitely interesting.

How much do they go for? Any clue if dealer in Canada?


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I took my son to a Steinway tour, they mentioned their price point is lower than the Steinway brand AND if a Boston owner wants to trade at anytime for a Steinway, the factory would consider the full value of the Boston upon trade. Not a bad deal.

E-mail them or give them a call; factory is in NY. I am sure there are dealers in Canada. (They do have them here)

[GerardoG]

...did a quick search using postal code V5K 0A1 and found dealers in Vancouver, Richmond, Langley, Victoria and Coquitlam

[1st amg]

Steinway is king here in canada as well. My eight yr old son is playing on a Kawai and so far so good.

[J!m]

I don't know a lot about pianos that has not already been mentioned.

I think Baldwin has a nice tone, particularly for acoustic (not mic'd on a stage) as in the home. The one we have is my wife's grandfather's and me and a friend hauled it up from Florida to CT and had it tuned here after a few weeks of settling. It has a new nick but otherwise sounds beautiful.

The woman who tuned it was in awe of it. It's the Acrosonic model and a spinet, but you'd never know it's size based on the tone...

Uprights are louder but can get a bit "twangy" to me. Note I'm just the drummer in the house but I've been listening to pianos for about 40 years now... Baby grand is quite nice if you have the space for it. In a big, properly treated room they can be quite warm.

I strongly suggest getting a used one. Pay the tech/tuner to come with you to check out possible purchases (just like buying a pool table). They will have a good idea where the problems are/can be on specific brands and models better that us watch geeks!

Oh, and be sure it has a metal harp (or whatever the term is for the frame). Most brands (and certainly the big three) do, so you should be fine but it's worth checking.

[lilrascal]

My wife has recently been researching pianos also. She said this book by Larry Fine was helpful and a free download. http://www.pianobuyer.com/publication.html

[bungcarlo]

It's best to bring your wife and test the piano since she's a pianist. My daughter is a pianist and I surprised her with a Yamaha clavinova. She was happy with the surprise but honest enough to let me know that the piano is a disappointment (playwise).

[George Burdell]

A Steinway is a beautiful thing. Bosendorfer makes solid uprights as well.

Comparing old world and Asian pianos is a challenge. Steinways are soft and romantic, while Asian pianos tend to be brighter with a cleaner timber. Pros (unsponsored ones) actually choose the manufacturer based upon the music they're playing. You should listen to a Steinway and a Yamaha side by side and make an old world/new world choice based upon the one that has a sound you prefer. They're quite distinct.

While I love Steinways, they command a pretty penny. Given that, I am a HUGE fan of the Yamaha, especially the concert series (grands). I think from the eastern part of the globe the Japanese pianos are superior to the Korean ones and generally have better tone and timber. While a Yamaha is brighter than a Steinway, with the right technician they can sound nearly identical. Plus, they're incredibly well made. Korean pianos are too bright for me - almost pingy in the upper register.

You couldn't go wrong with a Yamaha U-series upright. I've got a C7 grand that my heirs can fight over when I'm dead.

Good luck!

[zdeckich]

Originally Posted by Tri-Tip

I read the title and thought I saw Plano (as in Texas).

Me too lol.

[jban5]

There are so many pianos "out there" in the secondary market it would frighten you.

Tune in to the higher end estate sales in your region, usually you can do most of the work looking at home on the computer.

I've been involved with estate sales in one way or another for almost 20 years and have seen top notch pianos going out the doors for hundreds of dollars, sometimes the professional movers cost more than the instrument.

You do have to learn enough to evaluate all the factors. Often we have buyers who have an expert come in to inspect and the eventual owner (usually spouse/child) come in and play it.

Never, ever, consider getting a couple of buddies to help move it. The guys in a truck with a lift who have dollies and plenty of blankets are worth their weight in stainless. I've personally witnessed the birth of 2 back injuries, 1 broken finger and a smashed baby grand in just one event. Ps. no refund for the piano

[KimGodbold]

I don't think so, moving a piano requires a very specific skill set that involves agility and strength along with an extensive knowledge of the piano itself. With some movers, you may get less than what you need or you may be paying for a service you never needed or asked for. Call your prospective mover and ask about different pricing and service arrangements. Hiring a professional piano mover to transport your instrument smoothly and safely is well worth the piano moving cost. My friend did a little comparison shopping prior to having the piano moved and they came in with the most reasonable price with the moving company queens. They provided with the best quality services within the estimated time and budget. Also helped with all the moving procedure very friendly. Their services were very nice and the people were trustworthy as well.

[utc66]

Yamaha U2

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by swils8610

You can tune a piano but you can't tune a fish!!

You never heard of Tuna?

[Mewski]

Typically first option is to buy Steinway for sale, but in most times its most expensive option. I definitely recommend you to take a look at Bosendorfer upright pianos.

[Widows Son]

I can barely find middle C but, my dad was a music teacher and a church organist. Had a Baldwin grand and a Chickering upright at home. Later in life he sold Bosendorfers at his studio. I think that at least then they were off the charts in quality. Go on local shopping websites, hate to say it but it's tough to give a piano away now. I see them all the time around here for practically nothing, people move and don't want the expense of moving them.

[benvh]

We just got a vintage Baldwin upright from the 1940’s. My wife plays and she wants my son to start taking lessons. Got it for free, just paid to get it moved. It’s beautiful, sounds great and matches the vintage of our house.

Ben

[ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ{Adventure!)]

Yamaha and Baldwin IMO are best for uprights. I have a Yamaha in my home and it’s been in the family for over 30 years with only basic tuning needed. Sounds are clear and the key feedback is on the medium to softer end with damper pedals very easy to glide your feet over without snags.

The University of Western Ontario churns out some of the best piano tuners and refurbishing specialists in the business, so you may find good deals floating about that way as well.

The big 3 will always be Steinway, Yamaha, and Baldwin. Other companies come and go, but those are the ones seen in every competition and performance worth their craw.


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[swils8610]

I don’t play but my sisters did. I’m dating myself but they still have the Wurlitzer my parents bought new in the 60’s.


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[George Burdell]

I am a HUGE fan of the Yamaha, especially the concert series (grands). I think from the eastern part of the globe the Japanese pianos are superior to the Korean ones and generally have better tone and timber. Plus, they're incredibly well made. You couldn't go wrong with a Yamaha U-series upright. I've got a C7 grand and its fantastic.