Help me people!! Pearl River 4'7" or Samik 5' gran

[TwinkleFingers]

            I need help in making a decision on buying a grand piano. Pearl River gp-142 or samik 5' grand piano.  Both the same price!!! HELP!!!!!!!
             Has anyone Purchased this type of piano in the last few years?  If so, how well do they hold a tune?  I hope they are good cause I just ordered the gp-142 grand!  Anyone who owns one of the newer models (>year 2000) please give me some feedback.  The pearl river(gp-142) I demo'd seemed to be of great quality and sound. and what really sold me was the exceptional value.  I paid 5995 brand new!!!! Also I have found out that pearl river no longer uses the renner actions.  Only the ritmullers do, which do not cost much more.  Also ive heard that small grands like the gp142 dont compare to higher-end uprights in sound quality.Also the next peral river up in size 5'3" is a big difference in sound.But I really like the looks of a grand piano or baby:)  Just any opinions at all would be greatly appreciated.  I asked steinway what there warranty was for parts and labor. 5 years was the reply.  Pearl River parts and labor an astounding 10 years!! Take Care All.
there is a link to the picture under every one of my posts.  Its the second link.  the first one is just a mug shot of me tickling the digital ivorys!! no im not a fan of digital pianos so hold your tounge:) it was for a wedding.

[tosca1]

There is an informative website at  pearlriverpiano.com
I am very interested in these pianos as I believe that they offer exceptional value and are indeed  a quality instrument.  The price of the gp-142 grand is remarkable for a new grand piano with a 10 year warranty.  There has been great progress in China in recent years in all areas of manufacturing and since 1956 the Pearl River Piano Company has made an enormous expansion both in terms in output and the quality control of its pianos.
Robert.  

[tosca1]

Thank you. No, I have not tried any of the newer models. If there is an agent here in Auckland I could try but I doubt there is. I hope to be in China briefly in December and I could find some there to try. In the meantime all the best with your purchase and I think that you have acquired a very nice piano at a good price.

Kind  regards,
Robert.  

[TwinkleFingers]

I was getting a little nervous before about my purchase.  But you have really helped me to regain my confidence:) thankyou.
Does anyone happen to know if the model gp142 uses the Renner action??? I hope so cause I have heard that it is one of the best out there.  I know some of pearl river's pianos use them just not sure on this particular model gp142. Thanks:)
so your going to china you say?  i wonder if they would sell you a pearl river piano directly and if so how much? let me know.  I'll let you know how I am enjoying my new pearl when I get it.  I know its not going to be sounding like it will even a year from now.  But that is the beauty of pianos they just get warmer and richer mmmmmmm

[tosca1]

Thank you TwinkleFingers for your reply.  The Pearl River pianos are made in the Southern China in  Guangzhou and are named after the Pearl River that runs through that city. I am not sure whether a Renner action is used in the model that you are getting but it is used in some models.  The specifications suggest that it is a quality piano and certainly the best piano made in China.  A major reason for the low price of the Pearl River piano is that labour costs are very low in China.  I am sure that you will be delighted with it and indeed it will sound richer and sing better with use.

Best wishes,
Robert.

[TwinkleFingers]

I need help in making a decision between samick 5' and pearl river 4'7" grand.   Both are the same price.  The samick that I tested was out of tune cause they just unpacked it.  Also it needed to be voiced.  Anybody play or own around a 5' samick that also tested a pear river around the same size recently?  I know good luck getting a response to that question. Oh well worth a try.  Dont just say they are both crap.  Tell me a good entry level quality piano to get at or around 6 g's.

[tosca1]

Trust your own judgement on this one.  The Samick is marginally longer but they are pianos of the same quality.  Do not prevaricate but sit down and play both pianos for some time and decide which one you like best. You are the person buying the piano and the piano will tell you if it's yours or not.   The Samick has not yet settled so it will not be sounding at its best.

Regards,
Robert.  

[eddie92099]

Twinklefingers, how many pianos do you have?
Ed

[TwinkleFingers]

how many pianos do I own??? Just 1.  A cheap wurlitzer spinet that my mom got for christmas or her birthday over 20 years ago!  how many pianos am I considering to buy? right now just 2 samick and pearl river.  I need to test the samick again once it is voiced and tuned and maybe regulated.  That will be my final decision.  I wish the 2 pianos were side by side in the same showroom so I could jump back and forth.  I tested other samicks they had that should of been prepped already.  one of the same models I tested felt like the hammers were socks!  But I cant judge fairly because it wasnt set up right either.  What instrument do you own robert??

[tosca1]

Dear TwinkleFingers,
Research shows that when making a judgement that our first reaction is the best.  When you find a piano you like it will be apparent from the first time you play it.  
In piano showrooms the piano will sound different from how it will sound at home.  You have to take all this into consideration when you are making your decision.
I have a Boston GP 178 which I have had now for nearly 6 years.  It is a very nice piano with a warm, sweet tone.  In fact when I first played it in the showroom I found it preferable  to  its more prestigious cousin, a Steinway B which was alongside.  

Good luck,
Robert.

[TwinkleFingers]

In fact when I first played it in the showroom I found it preferable  to  its more prestigious cousin, a Steinway B which was alongside.  

amazing isn't it!  you never know with instruments like pianos.  Im glad you are enjoying it.

In piano showrooms the piano will sound different from how it will sound at home.

I dont think it would make a difference in that one model I tested that should have been ready by then. It was bad!  Uneven Voicing just to name the least.  But I think It could be a nice piano given the right work done on it. I cant say for sure until I test it hopefully tomorrow.

[TwinkleFingers]

tosca1, did you see this problem with the gp178???
https://www.ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech/1996-October/009975.html

[tosca1]

Dear TwinkleFingers,
Thank you very much for drawing this to my attention.  I take heart that there was only one other response to that post and that was in 1996.
My own experience with Boston tuning has been entirely satisfactory. Sometimes the odd note has slipped after a tuning but generally the tuning is very stable and each time the tuner comes he is not aware of any problem of tuning instability.
The only disappointment I had with the Boston was the B Flat on the "Break" at the top of the bass bichord strings.  This was nothing to do with the piano's tuning.  The note sounded quite 'wooden" and "nasal" in comparison with its adjacent notes.  
Each time my tuner/technician tunes the piano he tries to make the offending B flat blend in better through voicing.

However we should always judge a piano on the sound of its overall "voice" not just the odd dodgy note.

Thank you very much for thinking of me and referring me to this information.  Should you find anything else  negative or positive I would be most interested.

Kind regards,
Robert.

[TwinkleFingers]

no problem mate!!  Im a little worried about the tuning stability of the pearl river piano.  But I think Im going to go with that one since the other piano show didnt have the samick up to standard for me and they said they would.  Not a very good dealer I must say so myself.

[tosca1]

Well you have your 10 year warranty and that in itself should give you peace of mind.  
Most pianos are unstable in their tuning because of environmental factors, particularly changes in temperature and humidity levels.  
With greater extremes of weather that we are currently experiencing all over the world, pianos will be severely tested.

Even the most prestigious marques of piano such as Steinway and Bechstein have been accused of tuning instability.

Unless there is a fault in the pin block or  major fluctuations in temperature and humidity it will be a  rare occurrence.

Enjoy your Pearl River.
Robert.

[TwinkleFingers]

thanks robert.  wanna trade that boston for a high quality wurlitzer spinet!! HEHE

[tosca1]

Thank you.  If you want to check out some amazing restored pianos go to:  

www.webaudience.debuilder.de/show.php4?design=1

Some alternatives to the Pearl River...

Cheers,
Robert.

[TwinkleFingers]

i was only teasing about the trade pearl river will be at my house thursday afternoon.

[tosca1]

I know... Seriously, though, I am delighted that you have decided on the Pearl River and I shall be very interested to get your reactions to it when it settles in.  Make sure that you have it tuned a week or so after it arrives and you should get at least one complimentary tuning as you are buying a  brand new piano.

Thanks again.
Robert.

[eddie92099]

Robert, are you a Pearl River salesman?  
Ed

[tosca1]

Hell no!  However could it be a new beginning...??
Robert.

[TwinkleFingers]

tuned a week after it comes?? isnt that too soon?  I heard you should wait 4-6 weeks.  

[tosca1]

Split the difference and say 2 weeks.  Of course when the piano arrives you'll want to play it all the time and if it is out of tune then that spoil your enjoyment of the new Pearl River.  If it is not too badly out of tune then waiting two or even three weeks should not be too frustrating before its first tuning at home.
I think that  it is being delivered today.  
All the best for a safe and happy delivery.
Robert.

[eddie92099]

I personally would wait four to six weeks. A piano requires this time in order to adapt to its new environment. If you tune it after two weeks, you will need to tune it again after another two weeks - put up with slight discrepancies in the first month and save your money!
Ed

[tosca1]

When you get your new piano you'll want to hear your piano at its best.  An out-of-tune piano will be frustrating for you to play and you may have to have it tuned immediately  and then again in a few weeks time.   Several tunings will be a very good investiment and will determine your new piano's  future tuning stability.
All the best for the new arrival.

Robert.

[TwinkleFingers]

i like ed's idea for the money and yours robert for the enjoyment.  I will see like you said.  If it is badly out of tune then I will bite the bullet. Thankyou for your wishes robert.  you seem like a very nice person.  I will do my best to enjoy the new baby grand.  Now go play your gp178 robert

[TwinkleFingers]

pearl river is being put together as I write this message!! oh boy!! my fingers are getting twitchy lol!

[eddie92099]

What are you going to call him?
Ed

[TwinkleFingers]

i dont know what to call him...whats your piano's name?  I never named a piano before.  Is there a baby grand baby name book?  So far I love it!!!  Very good tune given what it has just gone through!  I dont know if anyone else notices this on their piano. I've just noticed it on mine.  the 2 bassnotes that makeup the break where the beam is for me it is c2 and c#.  they sound different in contrast.  c2 is a little softer I think.  also the treble way up there is a little too bright for me and maybe one note furthur down there somewhere.  all in all though im very satisfied with it.

[tosca1]

Hello TwinkleFingers,
Thank you very much for your kind words.  Your piano's sound will develop and improve over the next five years and even beyond.
You can easily have the bright treble voiced down by your tuner.
Now I shall go and play my piano.

Congratulations,
Robert.

[eddie92099]

Well I know a piano named Brenda, but it's not mine. My piano doesn't have a name I guess...poor thing,
Ed

[TwinkleFingers]

ill just call it my baby for now what kind of music do you like to play tosca1 and ed? I like classical and popular.

[tosca1]

This morning I worked  on or rather wrestled with the A flat Ballade of Chopin and opus 10 Studies nos. 1,2 and 4.  I also played through the piano score of "The King and I" by Richard Rogers for some light relief.

Enjoy that piano.
Robert.

[eddie92099]

Classical, Jazz and Radiohead  ,
Ed

[TwinkleFingers]

I tried playing through the rach 3.  the part where david is in the conservatory.  I bet with a little practice I could at least get that part down.  I have pretty big hands to handle that.  I just need work on fingering technique.  like for scales.  I know im very unorthadox.  but enjoy it nonetheless.  The thing is I taught myself how to play when I was a child.(none of my parents really played) (mom a note here and there at 5 min intervals hehe)  so I really pick up bad fingering habbits.  I took lessons in high school and some in middle. every teacher grew inpatient with me about fingering and getting the exact notes on the page.  I like to improv.  makes it so much easier to sound good if you know what I mean.  Just pick up a piece and start playing it. and most classically untrained people wont notice:)