new piano evaluation

[redhead]

I'm looking for a new digital.   Any tips for comparing models, especially action and sound qualities, etc.

I've only played my current technics digital from about 6 years ago, so I don't know what a real piano is capable of, or what to really look for action-wise or sound-wise.  Ex: various resonances, sounds with different half pedalling, etc.

In reading about double escapement, I tried comparing the action of the new roland HP107 against other acoustic grands (and uprights) at the store, but I'm not really sure what I'm looking for.   How far up should the key have to go before you can re-articulate the note?

My plan is to hit the steinway store and try to get a feel in 5 minutes or so of the most expensive acoustic grand I can, and try to compare from there.

But any other hints, or things to look for would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[westman]

Would you test drive a Ferrari so you could go buy a Ford? Of course not.

If you plan on going to a Steinway dealer and only spend 5 minutes, the only thing you're likely to get out of the experience is rude treatment by the staff.

Go to a dealer that sells many different types of new and used pianos and keyboards. Take time to try them all. Then choose.

[redhead]

Silly me.  I figured that the local steinway dealer would also have some digitals around, too so I could compare.  No luck.  

Also unfortunately the stores that carry new roland's likely don't carry yahama's, etc.  so even direct comparison there is pretty tricky.

[redhead]

My lessons learned:

1.  I actually went with an acoustic (charles walter 1520 upright).  A good acoustic just felt better and sounded better than the digitals (roland/clavinova) I tried.

2.  I recommend picking up Larry Fine's The Piano Book (and current years price supplement).  There's a lot of great info there.

3.  Check out www.pianoworld.com.  Their forums offer many hints about shopping for acoustic and digitals.

4.  Besides the obvious "it sounds and feels better than everything else in the price range", check out the how the sound changes across the various string breaks : single wound to 2 wound, etc.

[Axtremus]

Congratulations on the new piano!

redhead, you certainly moved fast -- seems like it only took you a week or two to settle on a piano. Just curious: What's your screen name over at Piano World?

[redhead]

I never posted on piano world.  Lurking gave me all the info I needed.

Maybe it was quick, but I felt I had enough info to make a solid purchase.  It was fun going to a different piano store every day after work, and trying out various things and comparing.  I literally hit 1 or 2 stores a night for a week.  

I considered flying to utah to check out Astin-Weights, or maybe driving to Portland to check out their selection (and avoid sales tax), etc.    

But I had tried enough that I was interested in in my range: yamaha, kawai, baldwin, petrof, kemble, schimmel, and CW, not to mention the digitals, so I took the plunge.