Grand Pianos.. Pros and Cons?

[kamike]

I do not make my living playing the piano but I do own, and play, a model II Bluthner in a modest sized room.  In my opinion, the cost and other sacrifices that may be necessary to have a larger grand are worth the results.  You do not have to be professional to recognize and reap the rewards of the larger instrument.  This is no insult on smaller instruments, of which there are many laudable examples

I have found that the larger instrument, while having the capability to be powerful and loud, has even more capability of being played softly.  The control is amazing and, with an instrument like this, one finds herself/himself experiencing the music, rather than fighting the instrument.

This thread is too long and old, and the benefits may be lost on the originator.  But I would argue that the investment of the largest, most expensive instrument one can possibly buy is a far better investment that the hundreds of thousands of dollars many of us may end up spending on depreciating tons of steel, plastic, and rubber in our lifetime (cars).

[yamaha2006]

However :

Construction type is quite important since one does not buy a piano just for a few years but for 30,40 years even the entire life….
Thus a well-manufactured piano appears to last longer than other ones…Who can say that a Fazioli will last more than 100 years?? We cannot know that yet !
But we do know that a Bösendorfer, Bechstein or Steinway can last for more than 100 years and that’s why they are great !

Besides the sound of a good Yamaha (SU series) might be the same as a Bechstein or Bluthner (to be checked) for the first 5 years but what about after 5 years?

I do believe that Great piano brands (and that’s why they are expensive) can last a very long time keeping the same sound ( or almost equal) and same action ( if well-tuned and voiced properly), am I right?

[gfiore]

 Certainly a Fazioli will last just as long as any well constructed piano using the same quality materials and construction methods. And like the others pianos you have mentioned, the Fazioli will continue to perform well given the same service regimen as the others. I know of a 23 year old Faioli model 278, that still performs flawlessly, and is a joy to play. I also service Two Steinway concert grands around the same age, that are looking at some major restringing and hammer replacement very soon.

[lenore]

Hey there.  Looking for opinions on the purchase of a used Yamaha C3 Grand.  I have two choices at the moment.  Both are in excellent condition and of similiar touch and tone.  One is from a private individual, 1973, $9750.  The other from a dealer with a ten-year parts and labor warranty, 1989, $13,500.  Is the newer one worth the extra cost?

[gfiore]

Depends on the condition of the newer model. The older model could have had better maintainence than the newer model. Have a tech inspect both before making a decision.

[dmthomas]

I won't weigh into the conversation of makes, models or otherwise, absolutley not qualified.  I did want to say that this is a fantastic thread, I've got long term plans to purchase my own grand and hope to assist in the selection of a new grand for an auditorium, all the advice is incredibly valuable.

Coming from a student of 9 months, with no prior musical experience (and who plays Moonlight's first movement quite well ), every piano I play, every recording I listen to, the capabilities of a good instrument never cease to amaze me.  I'm unfortunatley relegated to a digital at home and very poor acoustics for lessons.  Even though in poor condition, there is still something special about the grand I have access to.  I'd choose it over the uprights any day, but I can't wait to play an instrument that echos the wonderful qualities discussed in this thread.

[shmainpiano]

made in China grand pianos are no more than 5000USD(186)
is it interesting?

[mdshimazu]

About how much is it for a reasonable Steinway (maybe around 7')?

[cz4p32]

I know this thread is somewhat old, and I have read through most of it.  But I feel nessary to share my experience with a big piano.  for the past few years I have been playing on a 1920's 5'6" grand.  Nice piano for what it is, and it's age.  New strings, pins, dampers.  Our house is not that big, and it sat in our living room with hardwood floors.  I just recently steped up to a used Kawai KG-6 from the 70's, which is 7'4"  Now, this is almost 2 feet longer, and considered a semi-concert grand.  When my friends heard, they assumed it would be overwhelming in our house.  Yet when you walk in, it really doesn't.  It doesn't take up all that much more space.  to someone who would know nothing about pianos, they probably wouldn't think anything of it sitting in there.  As for the volume.  I have much more control of volume with the bigger piano.  I can play it much softer throughout it's entire range compared to my old piano.  And as for price, I paid 15,000 US for it with a 10 year warranty.  So, for someone looking to spend in the 15-20,000 range, let alone 35,000, there should be no reason why you wouldn't look at a piano, even used in the 7' plus length.  No, we don't all need concert grands in our houses, I'm not even a professional pianist, tuner, or technician, but the satisfaction of being able to sit down at my house, infront of a 7'4" piano ever day is just incredible.  I would take it any day over a smaller instrument for the same or even more money.