Hi everyone, for about a month now I've been visiting all the musical instrument stores in my area (I've visited truly many of them). I am looking for a good grand piano (actually, a baby grand since I have at most 200 cm of space); at the moment, the piano that intrigued and impressed me the most was a new Schulze-Pollmann S187. I tried many Yamahas and Kawais, but they didn't excite me much for two main reasons: the very bright sound and the heaviness of the keyboard. Yes, I know perfectly well that they are considered "tanks" for their long life and because they are ideal for intensive study, but I don't have to play on it 8 hours a day (being in an apartment and having offices next door, playing for 8 hours is impossible). I should mention that I recently underwent carpal tunnel surgery on my right wrist, so out of necessity, I was looking for a piano with a light keyboard. Let's just say that in the Schulze-Pollmann I found the right compromise for a keyboard that is neither too hard nor too soft, with a very varied sound, not as bright as in Yamahas and Kawais but much warmer and more intimate. Obviously, I have also tried other pianos, but due to budget limitations, I won't go beyond 15-16,000. Do you know this brand? Opinions and advice regarding it? Thanks in advance to whoever responds!!
it is built in Asia, I believe, and then perfected in Europe.
I admit to having quite a few prejudices about it, but I tried it and I find it too different from the Schulze masterpiece. It gave me the impression of being a bit of a toy. But I repeat, perhaps I have too many prejudices.
Unfortunately, it is not easy to choose since there isn't much choice in the market for testing. In that price range, I would find a Kawai more reliable, for example, even though I don't like the sound very much. But as far as mechanics go, I would feel safer. Even if you don't have to play on it intensively.... or I would consider a good used European piano that has been well refurbished..... European sound, mechanics in good order, acceptable price..... with that budget, you shouldn't have difficulty finding one even with a warranty.
Hi, thanks for your advice! I will continue to try other instruments hoping to find a piano that I like! I will try other Kawai and Yamaha, even though at the moment I haven't found one that has struck me. I will carefully evaluate what to do!!
Buying a piano is always a difficult thing (it almost feels like climbing a mountain); if I may intrude with an example, deliberately different from your needs, so only useful for reflection... I would tell you to ALSO check used pianos like this one: http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_pianoforte-a-coda-bluthner-grancoda-278-aliquot_id4142023.html. If you have had surgery, I imagine you are already familiar with how to play a piano, am I wrong? In any case, you can find high-quality German and French pianos for that amount; it is legitimate not to trust, but take a look and check with private sellers, and from shops with historical brands such as: Feurich, Pleyel, Bechstein, Erard, Seiler, Sauter, Schimmel, Bosendorfer and many others... healthy skepticism is fine! but at least let's try them and look for them. Rest assured that if they have been played and treated well, forget about Japanese tanks! they still perform great; besides, piano mechanics are the same as they have been for over 100 years (the problem is the owners and/or the technicians...)
Andry's advice is excellent, but be careful not to go for pianos that are too old; they are not like violins. Violins made by master luthiers of the past appreciate in value over the years and bring out excellent timbral characteristics. Unfortunately, pianos are all destined for the scrap heap. If they have been refurbished, it is important to see what has been done, whether they kept the original spare parts, and in what way they were refurbished.
