Hello, I would like some advice on my next purchase. For 15 years I have played on a small Kawai, my first “real” piano, chosen without too many pretensions at the beginning of my studies, which have always been at a hobby level.
Today, on the threshold of 50 years old, I would like to treat myself to an “significant” piano, still an upright due to space constraints, but I would be willing to spend a budget around €10,000.
With this amount, could I aim for the top of the Kawai range, the K800 which is 134 cm tall, to remain faithful to the brand. Or what else?
I would like to know your opinion, what kind of choice would you make with a similar budget?
I know the forum mantra is "go and try," but shops almost never have all the pianos we are interested in, often because they are dealers for one brand and do not carry the others. In my case, the "equal grade" alternatives are very few. I saw in various forums a possible alternative like the Yamaha U3 or the YUS series. Or the Schimmel, which they say is rather "delicate" in its action. In short, the doubt remains; I hope someone among you has more direct experience.
Schimmel is the prince of upright pianos, second only to the Steinway upright that you can find on the used market, though I don't know if at that price.
I have played on both and the Steinway is truly very beautiful even in upright format.
Schimmel is the prince of upright pianos, second only to the Steinway upright that you can find on the used market, though I don't know if at that price.
I have played on both and the Steinway is truly very beautiful even in upright format.
Thank you Simone, I imagine that Steinway is exceptional, but it is out of reach and as for used uprights, very few can be found, and they are over 50 years old with inlaid and baroque furniture. Neglecting this option, to stay in Europe there is only Schimmel left, about which I read strongly contradictory opinions in the forums: excessive fragility of the action, stiffness of the keyboard, sound that tends to lose brilliance..., in short, apart from the charm of Made in Germany, the quality-price ratio remains disadvantageous and anyway leaves many dissatisfied.
I am obviously limiting myself to reporting the summary of comments, which also include some positive ones. But obviously, when one has to choose, it is assumed that all pianos sound good and more weight is given to the reported defects.
What do you think instead of my first option? The Kawai K800?
