hi everyone, I am asking for your honest advice; surely you know more than I do. I am looking for a grand piano to keep in an apartment, so I would be leaning towards a baby grand or, at most, a parlor grand. Thank God the neighbors have never had any problems with my upright, even though I am anything but a pianist; having resumed playing a year ago after 20 years of inactivity, the maximum difficulty I can currently manage is Einaudi and a few short classical pieces. In short, I am still studying. Naturally, having an upright, I can use the practice pedal when needed, which I wouldn't be able to do with a grand, so I am looking for a fair compromise. In fact, although I paid 11 million lire for my piano at the time, it isn't worth much, as it was sold to me as German but turned out to be Korean... that said, I have found a SCHIMMEL baby grand in practically new condition, purchased by a single owner in 2000 and built in 1990. It is perfect in every way. It sounds great; it is very hard [action/touch], but they told me this depends on the fact that it has been played very little and mostly kept as furniture (perfect, without any defects). They would give it to me for ā¬11,000 + transport, tuning, and a 5-year warranty. In your opinion, is this a fair price for a used baby grand, or should I look for a parlor grand? It's not easy because searching for one in a wood color (walnut or similar), I am afraid I will never find it, and new ones cost far too much for my budget. Besides the serial number to trace the year of production, having tested it thoroughly from top to bottom and having received all sorts of guarantees, is there anything else I should ask? For example, I don't know if it has a Renner action, and whether this is or is not an indispensable requirement. I was hoping to get by with ā¬7,000-8,000 for a 1/4 grand, but it is truly like new and I don't know what to do. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
I advise against the quarter grand piano due to the length of the keys (if short, the keyboard requires more weighting and increases inertia). The Schimmel should have jack rails with return springs, which allow for partial balancing of the keyboard, avoiding excessive weighting. If it hasn't had a mechanical overhaul since 1990 and you feel stiffness, I am fairly sure a general check of frictions needs to be done, replacing various pins and felts. I would prefer the baby grand, also due to less disharmony and greater sound depth, especially in the bass.
PS Abolish the practice pedal on the upright!!! You are the only one who won't hear it, not the neighbors. Furthermore, without the practice pedal, you can perform a regulation much closer to grand piano standards.
it seems that the original action has been completely overhauled and renewed, but I must have it tested and checked by my teacher, who certainly understands more about it than I do. Thank you very much!
With all due respect to your teaching, it is better to bring a trusted technician with you. Unfortunately, few pianists are able to perform even a basic diagnosis on an instrument. It is not enough to just try it: one must unscrew some levers and check samples for friction, measure weights, verify that the hammer rail is suitable for the instrument, etc.
I think that none of my teachers so far have been able to make evaluations of this type.
The issue of hardness is no small matter! Don't think it will improve. This depends on the mechanical pins having excessive friction. Second: moving from an upright (which might be decent and perhaps was never properly regulated!) to a spinet could be a good change, especially since smooth and fluid operation is fundamental for anyone playing, whether beginner or advanced. So, everything is to be seen. It would be interesting to examine the upright and make it work at its best. Sometimes, to finalize a sale, certain measurements like key dip are exaggerated, or a full regulation is not properly carried out. Dissatisfactions add up and one ends up looking "outside" for something different... which might not necessarily be better. It sounds like a strange argument, but it isn't. An upright that works well is even better than a small baby grand that might have limitations and/or suboptimal operation. A piano from 1990 must work well and nothing "needs to be melted down". I often say that a good sparkling wine is better than a bad champagne... I don't want to demolish your enthusiasm, but the piano must be carefully examined or at least evaluate which interventions must be carried out (and deduct them from the price) to bring it back to efficiency. Lastly, one should not be surprised that, contrary to what the seller claims, even young or even new pianos can be inefficient. The increase in hardness may have been caused by the instrument staying in a humid place or in storage and must be eliminated. Musically, it would not increase satisfaction or technical progress. So, be careful. Rely on a technician whom you "personally" trust and try to reach the goal through a "detailed" examination of the instrument. Therefore, also evaluate "why" the upright does not satisfy you and examine what the inefficiency depends on.
i suggest you watch my video tutorial (journey inside the piano) on buying a used piano (I don't remember which number it is...).
becauseHappy Music
P.S. Anyway, if you want more details, you can call me at the telephone number I will send you via private messages (envelope in the top right). Maybe first with a WhatsApp message so I can recognize you, because it is reserved only for members
