Advice on buying a piano — Pianoconcerto Forum

Member

Posts: 4
City: Roma

March 31, 2013, 01:11

Hello. I have a little girl of about 5 years old who started studying the piano last autumn, having recently turned 4,

It was her own request, which I decided to indulge after finding a teacher willing to make an attempt.

To everyone's surprise, the child not only goes to lessons with pleasure and is always extremely focused when she plays, and has even learned to read music, but she practices very little because she only has a small Bontempi toy piano "which doesn't sound like the teacher's piano", naturally!

Having recently moved house where we now have space for an upright piano, I think it is right to put her in a position to cultivate this interest by gifting her an acoustic piano.

Therefore, I would like to ask you for some advice.

I went to a large retailer in Rome who offered me:

1. With a rental formula (about €40-45 per month, plus the cost of two transports and one month's deposit) or a used Schulze & Pollmann with Italian action 121cm, buyout price €3,000 (a solution recommended by the retailer due to the instrument's characteristics), or a used 110cm Yamaha of English production with a buyout price of €2,700, with the understanding that at the end of the lease contract (one year), I could also purchase another instrument.

2. For sale: a new Samick 121cm for €3,200, or a new instrument under their brand for €3,500 (whose sound I prefer to the Samick).

Although I studied music for a long time in my youth, I am ignorant regarding pianos and have become lost in the plethora of brands, models, and alternatives that the market offers. I know there is also an interesting second-hand market among private individuals but, given my ignorance on the subject of pianos, I thought it wiser to turn to a qualified retailer.

I must certainly take into account that the child, after the initial enthusiasm, might not want to pursue her studies, but I am willing to take the risk and the cost connected to the investment, although I do not wish to spend a fortune.

What is your advice regarding the solutions that have been proposed to me? Naturally, if you have any other suggestions, they are most welcome.

Thank you in advance.

Thesimon

Administrator

Posts: 4,504
City: Ariccia, RM

March 31, 2013, 01:57

Around €3500, you can also find excellent Yamaha U3 - 131 cm...

lory

Member

Posts: 106

April 3, 2013, 02:46

But a used grand piano on sale? Take a look around and you'll see that you will find some bargains!

Look here:

http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_pianoforte-a-coda-steinbach_id2508707.html

http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_pianoforte-a-coda-bechstein_id1042341.html

http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_pianoforte-a-coda-schmidt-flohr-190_id2508690.html

Just a few, but browsing the internet you can find many others; of course, it is advisable to give 100 euros to a trusted technician to have it examined before buying it. Spend 100 euros but you will save yourself from scams.

http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_pianoforte-a-coda-steinbach_id2508707.html http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_pianoforte-a-coda-bechstein_id1042341.html http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_pianoforte-a-coda-schmidt-flohr-190_id2508690.html

Flautista

Member

Posts: 4
City: Roma

April 3, 2013, 08:52

Thank you to both of you.

A grand piano would be nice but, aside from some space issues, which might perhaps be resolvable, it seems like an excessive choice for a little girl who isn't even 5 years old yet.

I searched a bit more and another Roman dealer is offering me for sale, towards which I have since oriented myself:

1. Yamaha U3 at 3500 euros (which seems to be Simone's choice)

2. Yamaha U1 at 3100 euros (approx. 15 years old)

3. Kawai at 2800 euros (approx. 6 years old) (among these three, I would be undecided between 2 and 3, perhaps with a preference for the Kawai which has a less bright sound than the Yamaha)

4. Burger & Jacobi about ten years old at 2900 euros, which the dealer prefers, entirely Czech production

5. Bachmann more than twenty years old, 2000 euros, all Italian

The dealer (who is also a tuner) - who seemed like a serious and honest person to me - tells me that they are all lightly used pianos in excellent condition and that his preference for 4 over the first 3 (all 3 of Japanese production) is a matter of taste (although I think I understood that if I wanted to resell tomorrow, I would resell the Japanese ones better and faster) and towards 5 because (i) the B&J is better, even though the Bachmann could work more than well for my purpose and (ii) in the Italian market, Italian pianos are not popular and therefore, in case of a subsequent resale, I would resell them for less.

A friend who plays piano is going back today to try them. I realize that the piano must be tested and therefore it is difficult to express an opinion. But, given your knowledge of the market, may I ask you the courtesy of telling me what you think?

Thank you again.

Thesimon

Administrator

Posts: 4,504
City: Ariccia, RM

April 4, 2013, 14:14

I don't know the last two at all, so I couldn't tell you. As for the first three... Regarding the sound, I also prefer Kawai over Yamaha in uprights, but the same doesn't apply to the action. In my opinion, the Yamaha performs better. I would lean towards the U3.

Flautista

Member

Posts: 4
City: Roma

April 4, 2013, 19:45

Thank you very much. In the end, I opted for a Schimmel, from 1985, in excellent condition, E 4500.

Thanks again

Thesimon

Administrator

Posts: 4,504
City: Ariccia, RM

April 4, 2013, 21:30

Wow! Great choice! However, this wasn't on the list, otherwise I think everyone would have recommended Schimmel to you

Flautista

Member

Posts: 4
City: Roma

April 5, 2013, 00:06

In reality, it was a bit over budget and so I had discarded it at the beginning. Then, it seemed like the best from a technical point of view (it has Renner action) and for its openness and tonal timbre. It is a 116 but seems taller because of the sonority it has.

I also really like the cabinet (Chippendale leg, side opening with music desk and internal abat-jour) in a beautiful warm walnut.

The friend who accompanied me to try them (who has always played Petrof pianos) told me that he would have taken that one.

So, I made up my mind.

The dealer tells me that they had it for sale at E7000 and that they had lowered it over time until reaching E4900. He took another E400 off for me; I wasn't able to negotiate anything better. I think it's worth it, but then who knows.