LOOKING 4 A GRAND PIANO; YAMAHA C3, BALDWIN L, OR STEINWAY L. ANY ADVICE.

[classicarts]

  Hello peeps!!  I am currently shopping around for a grand piano, and I have came up with these 3 picks ( Yamaha C3, Baldwin L, or the Steinway L ).  Any advice guys??   I am mostly into classical music for now, but later thinking about getting into pop music.  

[iumonito]

If you have the money for a Steinway L, I think you should seriously consider an Estonia 190 (or two   ).  You will save lots of money and end with a better instrument, IMO.

Do you have room for something bigger?  C7 is so much more piano than C3.  Again, the Baldwin L is a sorry piano, although SF10 is passable.  In any case, I would always take a Kawai of the same size over a Yamaha.

[rich_galassini]

I have a couple questions - How did you arrive at those three pianos? They are decidedly different from each other and it is rare that these are the three that a pianist would have narrowed it down to.

Have you played other pianos? If not, then you should. There are a whole lot of flavors out there - try them.

Anyway, please answer these questions and we can give advice easier.

Cheers!

[classicarts]

  rich_galassini

These piano maybe decidedly different to you, but to me these arn't.  These pianos are widely used throughout the  world by all sectors of musical talents and enthusiasts alike.  And they have proven their merit of stability and musicality.    I can spend more time and money trying to look for other brands and trying them out, but I might be asking for more trouble than I am looking for.  These choices are a safe bet for me.   

iumonito

thanks for you input.  I have not thought about Estonia's until you have mentioned to me.  But from what I have read about the piano, I think I will stay away knowing it's very unstable and hard to sell.   .  I think you might be right about the C3's being too small to exude any volume.  I might be getting a C5!!  Any opinons are welcome!! 

[iumonito]

   Rich has given you very good advice.  If you can't tell the difference between these pianos, spend less money.  They are very different, but most importantly, you need to develop your palate.

It seems to me you have narrowed your selection to well marketed pianos, which, IMO, is a very dangerous and naive parameter to choose an instrument.

Baldwins, for example, in fact vary wildly in quality, due to the historic instability of the company and most importantly its work force.  These pianos are well known for having frequent major lapses in craftmanship (I mean the execution of the design, rather than the design itself).  Querendo invenietis.

Steinways, IMO, fare not much better.  I am not a big fan of Steinways, so bare that in mind while I bash them.  Quality control in uneven, which is to be expected from their production volume.  Fazioli, Steingraeber and even Mason & Hamlin only make a fraction of the number of pianos Steinway puts in the market every year; part of the reason is because they look at them before they put them in a box.  There are much better pianos out there for less money (short list: Estonia, Bluthner (even Irmler, their less expensive brand), Mason & Hamlin, August Foerster, Kawai).

Which leaves you with the Yamaha.  I like Kawai in every respect better, and they tend to be cheaper, so at least check those out.

And Estonia is making really good pianos right now.  Rather than reading about them go play one.

Good luck,
H (in a good mood with IU at 3-0, first time I can remember)

[classicarts]

Hey iumonito!! Thanks for you response!! I only wish people were more like you in here. In the last few days, I have concluded I'm not going sell my sexy girlfriend to an Saudi Prince in the Middle East for a price of a Steinway L.  So hence, I have a marginal budget to work on.  I'm sure you can always buy a better piano with a consideration of paying the price,     but I think I will be choosing for a Yamaha C3 next week.  Its within my budget, and it has exceptional touch and sound.   . I would rather prefer C7 but just dont have the space for it.    .  I will try to post a pic of it when I get it .
 
With your reference to Baldwin Company, they were bought by Gibson few years ago, and have re-emphasized in quality, structure, and merchandizing.  And with Steinway Company, I rather have a new  bad Steinway any day of the week than any other pianos out there. But that's just my preference. 

By the way, I just saw a 1997 Estonia 190 for sale on Ebay.  Looks excellent and in pristine conditon. Cosmecially, they're beautiful pianos and I could see why people fall in love with them, and with their high praise for their rich complex tones and warmth and resonance.   However, I wouldn't consider buying a piano prior to year 2000 from them.  I think if I was to buy an Estonia piano, I would rather buy it new with 10 year warranty and assurance of knowing their pianos has been improved and remedied. We're talking about 30 smackers!!   Maybe next time around I will seriously look into it.   

[bearzinthehood]

With your reference to Baldwin Company, they were bought by Gibson few years ago, and have re-emphasized in quality, structure, and merchandizing.

IMO Gibson has a lot to learn about quality control.  Just look at the brand new Les Pauls they're popping out. 

[classicarts]

  Well guys, I have decided on Yamaha C3.  My first grand experience. I should be getting it in a few days.   Here's the picture of the piano.  Tell me what you think?  I know there are better pianos out there, but this one was within my budget.  And most of all, they were local and give a 5 year warranty and a one free tune.  Some consider Yamaha C3's as beginner's grand because of their simplicity in sound.  In my opinion, it's not a bad piano for its price.  I'm trying to insert pictures here, but i guess these options don't work for silver members.

[joeg]

Don't you just love it when someone purportedly wants to hear other people's ideas, asks for them, and then when learned people provide experienced, well thought out opinions, he obviously ignores them?  I call this the "wanting to be right more than wanting to find the right answer" problem, and it's amazing how often I see it. 

But thank goodness, at least he didn't have to "sell his sexy girlfriend" to an Arab shiek...

[classicarts]

  Joeg, what really comes down to is your final subjective opinion: what matters you the most and most importantly the budget.  We all want great pianos and enjoy the lush sound of an excellent grand.  I just didnt feel comfortable spending that kind of money right now.  I just think this is a great grand piano for a first timer.  Perhaps, I would consider something more fancy in the future.   

Oh, by the way, my girlfriend is here beside me. 

Classicarts:  Say hello to uncle Joeg, Roxy!

Roxy:  Hello, uncle Joeg.

Classicarts:  What!? Did I hear wrong tonality in your voice!

[classicarts]

Today, my Yamaha C3 has arrived!! I could honestly say, it's everything I have expected and read about.  It's nothing significant to brag about but it sure looks pretty.  It's the prettiest grand I ever saw.    It also seemed it barely fitted my house.  Anything bigger would of been a problem.    It's a good thing I didn't get anything bigger.  Well guys, I'm off to the pianoland.    tah..tah.

[quantum]

Pictures and recordings please!!   

.... hmm that's strange.  Additional Options no longer has the file attach box. 

[classicarts]

Go to this link and you'll see the picture of my Yamaha I have purchased.  https://www.ipianos.com/viewpiano.php?pianos_id=96.  Quantum, I'm looking around for couple of B1's and a tascam to do some recordings.   I think that would be so fun!!

[classicarts]

Latest update. I have decided to get something bigger than the Yamaha C3.  The C3 is a fine piano, but didnt have the depth and the range I wanted to hear.  Luckily, they have a C5 in stock, so I getting that instead.    I think this piano is what I have been looking for.   

[joeg]

Latest update. I have decided to get something bigger than the Yamaha C3.  The C3 is a fine piano, but didnt have the depth and the range I wanted to hear.  Luckily, they have a C5 in stock, so I getting that instead.    I think this piano is what I have been looking for.   

Given the above comment, the fact that you've had your C3 for all of one week, and looking at your previous message (prior to buying the C3), where you said:

"I can spend more time and money trying to look for other brands and trying them out, but I might be asking for more trouble than I am looking for.  These choices are a safe bet for me."

makes it pretty clear to me that my previous comment about your not sufficiently considering the suggestions from more experienced people was spot on!  Maybe you were just a little too quick with your wise a$$ retort to me...

Why don't you just step back, take a deep breath, take your time, give more than perfunctory consideration to the opinions of those obviously far more experienced, and then get serious about finding the right piano?  But, based on your other comments on this board, I highly doubt that you will.  Talk is easy, doing solid homework is more difficult -- but well worth it in the end, as you have clearly demonstrated.

[classicarts]

Thanks for comment, Joeg.  For your  information,  my first intention was to buy the Yamaha C5, but the store owner convinced the C3 was a superior piano and was sufficient.  My initial concern was the space for the piano at home as well as the tonal quality of the piano.  I have bought the C3 in clear understanding that I may trade for the C5 if I wasn't competely satisfied.  So, it all worked out.   

[classicarts]

Today, I have gotten my Yamaha C5 and I love it!!   I was somewhat worried about the lukewarm comments about the piano, but I've notice a huge difference in tonal quality between the two.     I'm done piano shopping which is a big relief, and now I can concentrate getting a good piano teacher.  I am so jazz about this  piano!   I've found the piano I been looking for!   Those of you considering getting a Yamaha C3, spend a lil more and get the C5.  There's a huge noticable difference in sound.   The C3 didn't sound like a grand piano from what I had a 50'' kawai upright.  I wanted to capture a grand piano experience,and now I got one!!

[Axtremus]

Good for you.

I wanted to capture a grand piano experience,and now I got one!!

Good for you. Practice hard and don't let your nice piano go to waste.

[classicarts]

Good for you. Practice hard and don't let your nice piano go to waste.

Sounds like your being sarcastic.

[classicarts]

Public forum!

[classicarts]

  Just trying out some of the options here. Just join few days ago.

[Axtremus]

Sounds like your being sarcastic.

Not at all. I first read about you expensing much effort and money trying to get a good piano, then I see you mentioning something about getting a good teacher. It has always been my observation and opinion that a good pianist can make a mediocre piano sound better than a mediocre pianist can on a good piano. Hence the comment.

I do think that both C3 and C5 are very nice pianos (with the C5 being the "nicer" one, of course), and hope that you will enjoy making good music with them.

[classicarts]

Not at all. I first read about you expensing much effort and money trying to get a good piano, then I see you mentioning something about getting a good teacher. It has always been my observation and opinion that a good pianist can make a mediocre piano sound better than a mediocre pianist can on a good piano. Hence the comment.

I do think that both C3 and C5 are very nice pianos (with the C5 being the "nicer" one, of course), and hope that you will enjoy making good music with them.

I was merely sharing my experience with the public viewers in here.  I figure it can be fun and to share knowledge and experience with others.  I been playing piano for 10 years, and have no doubt what you have said is correct about "good pianist can make a mediocre piano sound better than a mediocre pianist can on a good piano."  But ,beside the matter,  you have to buy what you want, and what is right for you and that's the bottom line.  Thanks for your comment.

[classicarts]

Not at all. I first read about you expensing much effort and money trying to get a good piano, then I see you mentioning something about getting a good teacher. It has always been my observation and opinion that a good pianist can make a mediocre piano sound better than a mediocre pianist can on a good piano. Hence the comment.

I do think that both C3 and C5 are very nice pianos (with the C5 being the "nicer" one, of course), and hope that you will enjoy making good music with them.

I don't know when was it the last time you went on piano shopping, but shopping for a piano can be very stressful experience.  Certainly, I have read so many people on this forum making mistakes buying the wrong piano, and having doubts and even remorse.  And as we all know, there are so many pianos to choose from and so many opinions that it can be very confusing.  But you have to know what you want and what is right for you, and I have chosen Yamaha for few reasons.  I don't regret a second not taking the Yamaha C3.   The action of that particular piano didn't feel right to me and the sound was just too small.  I can honestly say it was a little bit better than what I had a 50" upright.  This C5 I have is in excellent condition and sounds like a grand piano.  I know I've made the right choice.

Axtremus, I expect next time you go piano shopping, you'll be buying the first piano you see, my friend.

[suz]

Axtremus, I expect next time you go piano shopping, you'll be buying the first piano you see, my friend.

Hmmm, I think Axtremus has played, evaluated, and generally knows more about different pianos than most. Congratulations on your new C5, by the way!! 

[Axtremus]

classicarts,

Glad to know that you already are an experienced pianist. It goes to show that sometimes even an experienced pianist can get frustrated by the piano shopping process! Though I believe if you have to go buy another piano today, you would not feel as frustrated again since you can leverage a lot of what you have learnt from your first shopping process.

I got my current piano in late 2003. It will be quite a while before I have to worry about getting another piano (or just get this current one "restored" or something).

[classicarts]

Hmmm, I think Axtremus has played, evaluated, and generally knows more about different pianos than most. Congratulations on your new C5, by the way!! 

Suz, it's not about what he evaluated or knows about the pianos when your the one who's shopping for a piano.  If what you say is so, then we will all buy a piano what Axtremus tell us to buy or recommend.  The fact the matter is, we all have different taste and conception about what sounds and feels good to us.  We may take people's recommendations but the final choice comes down to you.   

[classicarts]

Hmmm, I think Axtremus has played, evaluated, and generally knows more about different pianos than most. Congratulations on your new C5, by the way!! 

Suz, you need to learn baby.  Come to daddy.  I'll teach you.

[classicarts]

I finally got to post my pic of my new Yamaha C5.   Here it is...