Yamaha C3 or Shimmel in Sydney

[shaunarundell]

I'm looking to buy a Grand for my new home.

I have been looking at a new Yamaha C3. I like it a lot and the local dealer is offering a price around 29K AUD (about 27K US). What is this like as a price ? Is it cheap, expensive or right on for Australia ?.

What about the US  ? How's the price compare ?

My other question is about a player system. The dealer is recommending the top of the line QRS system over the Yamaha Disklavier system. What's the view ?

Lastly, I also have a option to a get a 6.5 ft (I forget the model) Shimmel for about 5K more then the C3  and it has a beautiful sound as well. What do people think of Yamaha v the Shimmel

I know these are very general questions, but any help or views would be much appreciated.

Shaun

[tompilk]

have a look at second hand pianos too. between the ones you say, schimmel would be my choice, but I looked around and was wanting a Yamaha GB/GC1 and managed to get a wonderful, as new, 5 year old G5 (the old model of the C5 - 6"6') for the same price (around $14,000).
that said, it sounds a reasonable price that he is asking for the C3.

[hyrst]

Which dealer are you working with, if it's Ok to ask?

[shaunarundell]

in glebe

[hyrst]

I am not sure if it is the shop I am thinking of.  I know the ones in Western Sydney better.  If it is the one, it is a smaller shop on the main road.  The man is very friendly and sells good pianos because his wife is a pianist and he loves her and the instrument.  He has a very high reputation for quality instruments and sincere business.  He knows what he is talking about for each of the brands - but you just need to make sure for yourself that you want / need the level of instrument he recommends.  He had me very tempted to get a mortgage for a gorgeous $55 000 piano.  LOL!

[nyonyo]

In US, C3 should cost less than $24K. Never pay a C3 for more than 24K, for in Japan this piano costs only $17K (MSRP).

Good luck.

[arthur]

schimmel= good piano, like steinway (german steinway), roenisch, bechstein, etc.

yamaha,  k.kawai, etc= just a bunch of plastic and wood pieces industrially made and assembled

[mattgreenecomposer]

I have the Yamaha C-5.  I like this piano alot for the price.  I payed well under $20, 000 US.  So it sounds like the guy is pricing it way too high.  You could buy it in the states, and  ship it over to your house for that price.
 Yamaha's Pro's:  Can take abuse and stay in tune.  Bright American Jazz sound.  Even sound in all registers.  Agile in all humidities.
Schimmel:  Probably better/warmer tone.  Won't take the punishment a Yamaha can though.  More classical sound.

-Thats my 2 cents anyways.

[nyonyo]

It is really hard to believe that you could get C5 less than 20K.
About 15 years ago, a friend of mine who owned a Yamaha Music School paid 15K, and my other friend bought C5 a year later for 22K.

[jlh]

I have the Yamaha C-5.  I like this piano alot for the price.  I payed well under $20, 000 US.  So it sounds like the guy is pricing it way too high.  You could buy it in the states, and  ship it over to your house for that price.
 Yamaha's Pro's:  Can take abuse and stay in tune.  Bright American Jazz sound.  Even sound in all registers.  Agile in all humidities.
Schimmel:  Probably better/warmer tone.  Won't take the punishment a Yamaha can though.  More classical sound.

-Thats my 2 cents anyways.

Yamahas aren't superpianos though... if you're playing a Rachmaninoff concerto on a Yamaha it will most likely be out of tune by the 3rd movement.  I know this from experience...

I think Yamahas have the reputation of being hardy because they are cheap and inexpensive enough that people are willing to put them through punishing conditions they would not allow for a more expensive piano.

The tone of a Yamaha will get "tinny" sounding in a few years time.  I guarantee it and it's not worth it. 

Get the Schimmel. 

...my .02,

Josh

[nyonyo]

The tone of a Yamaha will get "tinny" sounding in a few years time.  I guarantee it and it's not worth it. 


Josh

I agree, my Yamaha sounds so tiny...I hate it. I would get a Steinway soon. I have tried so many pianos, Bechstein, Bosendorfer etc, I still like Steinway's tone.

[mattgreenecomposer]

Yea I agree with you Jlh.  It definately is a little bright but I play Jazz too so I like a bright sound.  (as I mentioned in my post.)
I forgot to mention I bought my piano used, thats why I got it under 20k US$.

Yamaha and Kawaii are like Honda and Toyota of cars.  I know they're  not the BMW/Mercedes of the piano world but they get the job done and are reliable in my experience.  Believe me, If I could afford a Bosendorfer I would get one but who has that kind of money really....

[wynnbear]

Yamaha is majority owner of Schimmel.  Action in the Schimmel is made by Yamaha.  Actually in Germany, Schimmel is viewed as the Yamaha, i.e. less expensive, well-made but machine made, high-volume maker.  Definitely a class below the Three B's (Bosendorfer, Bluethner, Bechstein), and Steinway.  But a fine, well-made piano nevertheless.  Schimmels are pretty similar to Yamahas.  Brighter tone, excellent action, high-quality, and mass-produced with a lot of high-tech automated equipment.

You won't go wrong with either piano.  Buy the one you like best.  If you like them both, buy the cheaper one.

[tompilk]

Buy the one you like best.  If you like them both, buy the cheaper one.

surely this is the best advice anyone can give...

[jlh]

Yamaha is majority owner of Schimmel.  Action in the Schimmel is made by Yamaha.  Actually in Germany, Schimmel is viewed as the Yamaha, i.e. less expensive, well-made but machine made, high-volume maker.  Definitely a class below the Three B's (Bosendorfer, Bluethner, Bechstein), and Steinway.  But a fine, well-made piano nevertheless.  Schimmels are pretty similar to Yamahas.  Brighter tone, excellent action, high-quality, and mass-produced with a lot of high-tech automated equipment.

You won't go wrong with either piano.  Buy the one you like best.  If you like them both, buy the cheaper one.

Careful what you say about the Schimmel...!  While it's true Yamaha owns a portion of Schimmel through stock, it is incorrect to say that because of this fact, Schimmel is of less quality.  Yamaha has owned stock in Schimmel for many years now, and Schimmel is still the same high-quality instrument it was before.  Schimmel's remain completely hand-made, not mass produced like the Yamaha brand.  While it is true that the C3 is a good instrument, it is not designed for concert use, and is not among their higher-quality pianos.   I would probably say the Schimmel is more comparable with the Yamaha S series. 

Still a class lower than the B's as was said, but you might say the Schimmel is to Bosendorfer as Yamahas are to Steinway.  The difference being that Schimmels are handcrafted.

In the end though, wynnbear is right that you should buy the piano you love.  Good luck in your decision!

Josh

[hirencanjie]

Hello, would you mind telling the address or contact number of your piano dealer? I'm also thinking of buying a new grand piano. Thank you very much.