Looking for a grand

[sylvester550]

Hi,
I'm in the process of shopping for a grand, and have seen a C5 Yamaha (1990) which I like a lot, apart from the touch, which I find a little heavy. It's not as light as the C3 next to it, or my own U1 upright.
Is it in need of a service, or is it a sign of something worse!
While here, has anyone any thoughts on alternatives worth looking at?
Thanks

[quantum]

The heaviness of the touch is not a really good indicator to the condition of the piano.  Have a technician check out the piano for a detailed response. 

Touch weight can be adjusted if desired. 

[netzow]

I second quantum. It could be any number of things. The piano may not have been regulated in a while, high friction could have built up..... the list goes on. Before buying any piano have a technician come and look it over. A good tech will he be able to tell you if it is a good piano and if it is a reasonable price. Also I would look into used Estonia and Kawai.

[sylvester550]

Thanks for the feedback. Had a technecian look at the piano, and it's not the weighting at fault, but a slight degree of friction in the mechanism. The 'heaviness of action was very slight, so hopefully easily fixable.
I've been looking for a similar sized Kawai, but they're difficult to find!

[wishful thinker]

Hi, you don't say where youo are in the world.

I am in the UK, and have two full concert grands, one of which is for sale 

[keys60]

Heavyness of the keys is in the condition of the action.  A regulation with some new flange pins and reshaped knuckles would help. Or, could just be adjusted without repinning.

[sylvester550]

Hi ,
I'm in the UK, having a great time learning and trying what's on the market. Your advice on the C5 is valuable, and Wishful Thinker, I'm curious what you have available. Drop me a line.
I starting to get a feel for the market I think, and more importantly,  an ear and feel for what I like after 3 years learning on a U1!
Cheers

[sylvester550]

Getting rather confused now! Been on a 700 mile round trip to look at a few grands. My partner, who plays classical mainly, has fallen for a restored Steinway 'O' (6'1"). Lovely touch and very rich voice. I can see it's a beautiful piano, but somehow, the Yam C7 I deliberated long and hard on a few weeks back spoke to me more. It seemed to have a little more clarity. I plain mainly jazz arrangements, with a smattering of classical.
I'm wondering if what I'm used to hearing when I listen to jazz is colouring my thinking. I find the wealth of tone coming from the Steinway a little much somehow! The price tag is a little higher too, off course. It does have new hammers of course, so I'm sure it will brighten a little with use.
Am I going to grow to love the steinway and never look back? Is it the be all and end all of piano makes?
Apart from the C7 and Steinway, which are great, I quite liked a Yamaha C5, but it seemed a little weak in the top couple of octaves.

[etap1]

I am internationally known concert piano technician..............we have a store of low wear used pianos that are far better than what has been made in recent 10+ years.

Feel free to contact me at :

Used Piano Center  518-664-4367
www.usedpianocenter.com

Evan Tublitz, RPT

[sylvester550]

Thanks Evan. I think the delivery cost may be a little excessive. I'm in the UK. I do like the look of the Kawai you have tho!