Opinion about new piano

[Waldo]

Hello

I just bought (well actually signed a form to rent) a Callman C 113 T piano

The brand may not say anything to you, but that is because of the following
The Callman C 113 T is basicly a Yamaha C 113 T
it's EXACTLY the same, it's manufactered by Yamaha
the only difference is...the finishing is done by the company from where i rent my piano...
the piano is brand new

The company can be trusted they are the biggest retailer of Steinway in Belgium and over 1000 piano's each year are being rented by them

I've been playing the piano for 3-4 months now...

After a year I get the choice to buy this piano and the price will be reduced with the money I payed for rent.

So my question is, is this a good piano? Is it worth considering to buy it?

(I now pay 55 euro each month)

Greetz and thanks in advance
Bart

[leahcim]

After a year I get the choice to buy this piano and the price will be reduced with the money I payed for rent.

So my question is, is this a good piano? Is it worth considering to buy it?

(I now pay 55 euro each month)

It depends, what price are they selling it for?

Some rental agreements mean you have to buy the piano at the MRRP, which is usually more, 20-30% typically, than the price you could buy it. Thus the rental money effectively hasn't been returned at all.

You'll have to work it out. But although it might look like you  "lose" 660 euros if you go and buy something else [aside from having the use of the piano for a year] you may find that you still effectively "lose" 660 euros, or more, if you buy it at the price they want for it.

If that's the case, shop around and get the piano you want at the end of the rental.

[Axtremus]

The brand may not say anything to you, but that is because of the following
The Callman C 113 T is basicly a Yamaha C 113 T
it's EXACTLY the same, it's manufactered by Yamaha

I don't think Yamaha produces "stencile" pianos (i.e., an unbranded piano given to some one else and let them put their own brand name on it). The "Yamaha" brand name is too valuable today to not use on a genuinely Yamaha-made piano (imagine Steinway produces a piano and let a dealer put some other name on it... do you think that piano will sell for as much money as one that's branded "Steinway"?) *********************************************************************** [EDIT: Retracted one erroneous statement, thanks to leahcim's correction below.]

[Waldo]

they sell this one for 3250 euros, i've noticed that the yamaha C 113T costs around 4000 euro

so if i rent it one year and then buy it, i would have to pay 3250-(12*55)-165=2425

this 165 euro is for the warrant i have to pay for now

[leahcim]

I'm going to guess that to be a piano made by Pearl River in their "joint-venture" facility in China.

Assembled in Indonesia from Japanese build parts according to Yamaha.

[Axtremus]

Assembled in Indonesia from Japanese build parts according to Yamaha.

Great! I assume that you're commenting on the Yamaha C113T. Thanks for the info.

I still have my doubt about one thing: Do you know if Yamaha is offering "unbranded" C113T to others so different dealers/distributors can put different names on it? (I.e., whether the Callman C113T is really the same hardware as Yamaha C113T as claimed.)

Thanks.

[leahcim]

I still have my doubt about one thing: Do you know if Yamaha is offering "unbranded" C113T to others so different dealers/distributors can put different names on it? (I.e., whether the Callman C113T is really the same hardware as Yamaha C113T as claimed.)

No idea at all.

Although if I were to speculate, Kemble sell pianos, obviously they have had their own name for years, but they have Yamaha tech, build quality and consistency now. So perhaps the Indonesian factory does it? [I've no idea if that factory is / was like a Kemble or Pearl river or if it's just a Yamaha factory?]

That said, I think it's moot. If he likes the piano it's already sold. The only question is, is it worth the money, taking into account the deal. If that's the case, the badge means nothing. Because Yamaha £2k pianos are £2k pianos, they aren't CIII concert grands or particularly better than anyone else's similary priced offering, but you know what you're getting. [although having seen some of the products they sell at different prices just by changing the model number it wouldn't surprise me if they ever make a YDPIII concert grand it won't be £2k, nor that folk would continue to buy the more expensive one ]