Grand Piano in my price range

[cforlana]

Hi All,

I'm shopping for a grand piano now. I'm taking my time and really looking around for the 'right' piano.  I have a picky ear and I'm a professional pianist. For many years I've been without a good instrument and now I hope I can finally have one!     My price range is 30K, but I'm willing to stretch out a bit depending on the instrument. I'm looking from 5'6" to 6'1".  Any brands come to mind? I've tried Petrof - great sound, not so great action (keys on all Petrofs really go down if you know what I mean, very noticeable if all you've played was Steinways). I've played on many Steinways, and I like their action better than Petrofs - but I don't think my budget will allow for a Steinway. But maybe I'm wrong??  How about Bechsteins? I hope you can offer some advice here.  Basically, what's the BEST piano I can buy in my price range 

PS. A thing to add: I'd like to keep my piano for a few decades, so good quality is a must.

[Bob]

Get a used one.  Hopefully it's already broken, flaws have already been fixed.  Price is a lot lower and it doesn't lose it's value.

[gyzzzmo]

Get a used one.  Hopefully it's already broken, flaws have already been fixed.  Price is a lot lower and it doesn't lose it's value.

I agree, grands and especially steinway's are things wich dont loose quality during years if they've been treated well. for 30k you can buy yourself a 5'6 steinway.

[cforlana]

So, my question is - how do you know the piano was well-maintained throughout its life (when buying used)? Even an experience technician - can they tell if no great problems exist, whether overall the instrument was well kept?

Also, would you buy an old restored Steinway from: 1889; 1920s; 1960s; .... and so on.  Is there any time period in which Steinway wasn't producing great instruments ? 

And can you point me in the direction - where should I looking for these used instruments? I'm in Canada, if that's of any indication.

[robertp]

I've got a slightly different take on this. If you want a piano with the option of recouping your investment at some stage, it's true about Steinways. Nothing more to say.

If you're not concerned about that, or much more concerned about the piano which fits you, that's another thing. You may find it in a Steinway. Many have. No arguments there.

But it might be worth looking around a bit more if you're in this second category. I liked the Petrofs I tried, but they weren't quite there for me. I only played on Estonia and was impressed. But then I played about a dozen August Foersters in a row, and the very last one.... Well, it was "sold. I'm looking no farther."

I'm not making an argument for any of those pianos, or against Steinways. Depends on what you want.

[remy]

Cforlana,

You should have Larry Fine's book, "The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano":

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1929145012?ie=UTF8&tag=allaboutpianos&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1929145012

And the 2007-2008 Supplement:

https://www.amazon.com/2007-2008-Annual-Supplement-Piano-Book/dp/1929145217/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b/105-5427759-1332464


Also, you might want to browse through the posts at pianoworld:

https://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/forum/1.html


remy