Mechanical doubts

I am personally opposed to such mechanics, both due to increased vibrations and the poor response of the pin bushings. The wood mechanism + cashmere bushing facilitates pin management (replacement and reaming) and "divides" any excessive moisture absorption between the wood and the cloth.

pianoexpert wrote:

1 minute ago, pianoexpert said:

I am personally opposed to such mechanisms, both due to increased vibrations and the poor response of the pin bushings. The wood mechanism + cashmere bushing facilitates pin management (replacement and reaming) and "divides" any excessive moisture absorption between the wood and the cloth.

So you wouldn't recommend this purchase to me even in the presence of a trusted technician?

The piano is the one that gave me the best feeling in terms of keyboard and sound among the dozens I have tried.

The action seemed perfect to me and I would like to go back with a technician… but when I saw that it is all plastic, my world collapsed!!!

(Yamaha from the same era in terrible condition and sound too bright)

of course. The mass is lighter and therefore everything is more fluid, but one must know that everything made of plastic or carbon, in my opinion, is something else. In my life, I have seen tennis rackets replaced with plastic and carbon (lighter but with less shock absorption), skis with metal (lighter but with greater vibration and less grip on ice). Wood, with a different specific weight, forces greater inertia and therefore, apparently, more effort in movement. Steinway, however, by continuing to use wood and its shaped forked parts (Steinway patent), aims precisely to minimize the vibration of the mechanical parts during the hammer strike on the string, vibrations that produce a certain loss of energy. This is what I think. Naturally, this is just my opinion as a man of the 1900s....

I would recommend, or rather suggest, finding a piano in good condition that is "old fashioned." After all, if we want "virtual" things, we can play a digital one that responds perfectly, perhaps too much, and has a "packaged" sound. I study on it very often, even though I own a Steinway B.

I am not saying that what you tried is not a good piano... but managing maintenance over time (felt gluing, pin replacement, hammers, etc.) can be a bit different.

P.S. The overly bright sound of the Yamaha you tried can be balanced with good hammer voicing (provided they haven't been excessively and/or poorly shaved). The action can be restored. (Also take a look at the condition of the strings). Watch my video tutorial on buying a used piano

Thank you! You gave me the answer I feared, but also one that I somewhat hoped to receive because, despite my inexperience in the matter, the non-wooden action somehow raised some doubts for me.

I have watched your video on tips for buying a used piano many times; that is why I wanted to subscribe to your forum, because I finally found someone as meticulous (in a good way) as I am.

Among the U1s tested, the one that would have convinced me most is an instrument from the late 70s, not one of those refurbished ones, but used in Italy and sold privately by a technician.

And yet, the hammer felt gave me some doubts: unlike all those I have seen where the surface part appears beautiful, compact, and compressed (using non-professional terms), this one seemed slightly frayed to me, like when you wash a wool sweater and it doesn't look as good as it did in the shop because the surface softens. I pointed this out, but he replied that all hammer felts are different. Regarding the worn hammers (not too much), he told me instead that it is a positive thing because it means they have never been shaved.

Then I noticed some rust on one of the bass strings, but in that case, the answer given was: you will easily find a bit of rust in all 40-year-old pianos.

In short... buying is not easy and even shops, regarding used items, sometimes tend to omit many details.

call me at 3393395980 or write to me at ferrarelli@inwind.it

Hi Paolo,

I have tried various pianos these past few days, as many as 3 Yamaha U3s and one Schimmel 112.

My thoughts always return to that Kawai BL 61, as if I were in love with it.

Can this prejudice of mine towards the ABS action (an instrument from 1974) really hinder my purchase?

Only you can know this. I have expressed my perplexities. I consider the Schimmel a "prince" of upright pianos. Yamahas can also be good instruments. I repeat, for all our reflection, that the first impression one may have can be fascinating, but naturally, a well-prepared piano can be different from the piano upon first listening, perhaps neglected. Many Steinways are in this condition and many other pianos create a negative comparison because they need to be brought back to efficiency. Therefore, the comparison is very difficult and deceptive. Reducing inertia excessively cannot always be real and positive.