upright that's most like a grand?

[soundtrk]

Having been spoiled from practicing on grand pianos (practice rooms at my university), I just played at my parent's house on an upright the first time in years yesterday and was shocked at how awful it felt! The touch was so thin and the sound so unsatisfying! I don't know if it's a problem of my upright (a not-very-well-maintained 30yr-old Mason & Risch) but it seems even worse than I remembered.

So I was thinking: one day I'm going to get my own place and probably put a piano in there. And since buying a grand would be pretty much out of my budget in the foreseeable future, what upright do you think feels & sounds most like a grand piano?

[andyd]

"what upright do you think feels & sounds most like a grand piano?"

Go for a Tier 1 upright as listed in Larry Fine's book.  Nearest to sound I'd say probably Bluthner model B, Ibach L132, Steingraeber 138 and Bechstein concert 8.
Steingraeber do a special action on their 130 that is meant to repeat 'like' a grand, and give the 'feel' of one.  Never tried it.

But these quality uprights ain't cheap...

Andy

[jolly]

If you can find one with the Fandrich action....

[frederic.lu]

I havn't that much experience with upright piano. Sauter 122 Domino is the one that feel much like grand.

[invictus]

i dont care if this is controversial or not, but the more expensive uprights have more grandpianolike, so if you want an upright that is as good at a grand, might as well just get one, some are pretty cheak

[pianorama]

Well, actually, I just discovered a brand called Suzuki. They have a baby grand that is 4'10" and is only $5,500! Though I've never actually played one, so I don't know if it's any good or not. They also have a 5'2", a 5'8", a 6'2", and a 7'0", and they are all quite affordable. Costco sells them, but there aren't any middlemen that sells them. (as far as I know.) Oh, and if you live outside of the U.S., they have different sizes and prices.

[andyd]

Some people don't have the space necessary for a grand.  That's why uprights were invented in the first place.  But yes, it's a compromised design, buy a grand if you can.

Regarding Costco and Suzuki, you might find these posts interesting
https://www.armleg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=443&mforum=pianosinc
https://www.armleg.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=532&mforum=pianosinc

Andy