buying a piano, need help.

[butterfly79]

I am ready to buy my piano:)
I am going to be renting to own which only charges me the monthly cost of ownership and taxes. I will be putting a deposit on the piano so the monthly cost isn't so bad. I would be getting a Kawai K15, which is a nice piano for a beginner, I simply can't afford the K2.

There is also a Samick JS042 only $200 cheaper. This piano had a really nice sound and playing it was nice.

I can buy an old Heintzman transposing piano out right but this one is an old piano for $1100, getting close to 90 yrs old.

I want a piano that will last me years, I am not looking for digital or something that I will be upgrading any time soon.

Any suggestions on how to make the decision easier would be great.

[richard black]

No idea about Heintzman transposing intruments, but the make is very highly regarded. Might be worth getting an expert opinion of that one from a piano technician. Otherwise I'd say go with the Kawai. In my experience they are well made and reliable instruments.

[quantum]

I've seen a recently restored Heintzman transposing piano.  Fascinating instrument.  The tech who restored it had to manufacture several parts himself, as such things just aren't available.  I'd agree with Richard, that you better have an experienced tech check out such an instrument.

Kawai's are good solid instruments, and they can take a beating. 

[silverwoodpianos]

With the Heintzman & Co. transposer at 90 years of age, if in original condition, you would have to do considerable work to the action and keyboard in order for the entire instrument to function correctly.

In the transposer, the keyboard is set on a sliding shelf; the key to play in is chosen by a clutch mechanism underneath the keyboard. This means that the keyboard will shift left or right using the interchangeable parts underneath the action to play the mechanism.

The problem with this is if the cloths and felt work in the action/keyboard are badly worn when changing keys the regulation will go off and perhaps not play at all.

Here is a photo album of the transposer if anyone is interested. Left click once on this link and that will take you to the photo album. Then left click once on the first photo, top left, and this will open up the album so that you can read the text below each frame.

In one of the photos I have moved the keyboard to play in another key. You can see what happens when the cloths are worn...the regulation goes off.......

https://picasaweb.google.com/silverwoodpianos/HeintzmanCoTransposingPiano#

I would go with the Kawai for lessons....dependable, tough, not bad sound.

The Heintzman would be a vintage collector item.... and the transposer would be higher maintenance than most.

Maybe you could let me know where you came across this one. I have found 30 of these so far left in Canada. The majority of them are out west here.

[timmyotoole]

For most people the decisive factors for choosing a piano will be: price and available space. The Steinway model M measures 5' 7" and is a baby grand piano ideal for limited spaces. It weighs about 560 pounds and because it's so popular, you will have no trouble find an used one.

The Steinway model A is sought after by classical pianists and institutions, where money and space are not much of a concern. It measures 6' 2" and weighs about 695 pounds. I consider the model A to be one of the finest pianos made by Steinway and I think a lot of collectors would agree.