What do you think of Petrofs?

[Derek]

We're rapidly approaching the time when we will actually purchase the grand piano. In the local shop I've narrowed it down to three pianos: a Nordiska, an Essex, and a Petrof. The Nordiska is 7', Essex is 6'1 (I think), and the Petrof is 5'8.

Though the Nordiska posesses a more powerful bass, I was much more impressed with the tone quality and touch of the Petrof over the other two pianos, and its about five thousand dollars less! What a deal! It is all hand crafted in the Czech republic. Its got a sort of wooden mahogany finish...very attractive to look at. And the action is a bit heavier than the other pianos we tried, and when I improvised on it I really took flight. That suggests to me this piano is the one we should get.

[jeremyjchilds]

If you love the touch, then go for it. It may be cheaper, but Petrof is not a bad name.
Even if it was, if your playing "took flight" the touch, then that is reason enough.

Remember, the difference between a good piano and a bad piano is that a good piano makes you sound better at playing than you really are!!

[thalberg]

I've never played a Petrof, but my friend had one and he loved it and never stopped talking about it.

[iumonito]

I am surprised the Petrof is chaper than the Nordiska, regardless of size.  I like my pianos big, so I would try to find a 7' Petrof.  That would be nice!

[Barbosa-piano]

I think Petrof is a great piano brand. Their pianos have rich, sustained tones. And I think their bass is great. The touch is like that of many fine pianos. I just wish I could have one...

Mario Barbosa

[30 thumbs]

We bought exactly the Petrof IV you posted last October and loved it.  It has been around longer and better track record than the other two.  You can't go wrong with it.

[wzkit]

We're rapidly approaching the time when we will actually purchase the grand piano. In the local shop I've narrowed it down to three pianos: a Nordiska, an Essex, and a Petrof. The Nordiska is 7', Essex is 6'1 (I think), and the Petrof is 5'8.

Though the Nordiska posesses a more powerful bass, I was much more impressed with the tone quality and touch of the Petrof over the other two pianos, and its about five thousand dollars less! What a deal! It is all hand crafted in the Czech republic. Its got a sort of wooden mahogany finish...very attractive to look at. And the action is a bit heavier than the other pianos we tried, and when I improvised on it I really took flight. That suggests to me this piano is the one we should get.

I tried a Petrof IV last weekend. Nice bright tone, but oddly, a very light action too. I did wish though, for a little more variety in the tone with changes in pedalling and touch. Bright tone is nice sometimes, but not all the time. I will be trying out the Petrof III sometime soon and will report on my findings.

Currently, the top choice in my shopping list remains the Shigeru Kawai SK-3 or SK-5, followed by a Sauter Alpha 160, or Delta 185. If you like Petrof, I also recommend trying out the Bohemia too. I remember having a better impression of Bohemia than Petrof.

[mamma2my3sons]

I believe Petrof has the better reputation of the 3. The Nordiska is a Dongbei Chinese piano considered somewhat entry level. Don't know if the 7' is made any differently than the smaller models. The Essex while designed by Steinway has typically been manufactured by Young Chang in Korea. They have recently announced that Pearl River will be making them in the future. I considered the Essex myself, they are quite nice & the art deco cabinetry is very attractive. I would imagine resale may be a bit better given the Steinway name on the inside.

As an aside Petrof is supposed to be the same piano as Weinbach--and the Weinbachs typically cost less so you may want to check them out.

In any event, I am really a novice myself however have learned quite a bit from the piano professionals on https://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/forum/1.html. There is a great deal of info on Petrof in the archives if you do a search there. Given that you enjoy the touch & tone of the Petrof, that is probably the one I would lean toward.  The fact that it is even cheaper is a bonus.

Good luck.

[jolly]

The 7 footer is definitely a different animal. Renner action, maple rim, etc. The "knock" on the piano is that it may lack power for some people...however....check out the hammers and the shanks...I don't think it would take a lot of money to fix that "problem" relative to the piano you get.

But back to Petrofs.....very nice piano, very musical. Differs from Estonia in basic tone, and the Estonia may be possessed of better initial build quality. If you are looking at Petrof, do try an Estonia. The sleeper, though, may be Vogel.

Offered through Schimmel, it's an Eastern European piano with a bit of a German touch. Definitely worth a try...

[robertp]

I came very close to purchasing a V. It had everything I wanted, and the dealer could do a very good job tweaking it (selling is a sideline -- he's mainly a technician).

I didn't because I had a short list of various makes to try. And I found one, a different make, which I absolutely feel in love with. It was an extension of me. I grabbed it.

But I have very warm feelings about the Petrofs I tried.

[pianistimo]

rich galassini let me try one at cunningham pianos.  it was beautiful to play on.  that's when i decided it was a toss up for me (though i still like steinway, too).

you could ask him about the piano     rich@cunninghampiano.com