Yamaha GB1 baby grand Need advice!

[sphince]

Hey guys I'm thinking of buying this baby grand yamaha i spotted from a dealer who had it in for 7.500 euros.It's 3 years old, and in perfect condition and serviced once also he claims that the previous owned was unlikely to even play it so i think it is a good deal.
I've been saving money since my final paper at the conservatoire and i think it's time i go further.
Do you guys think it's worth it or should i stick with my old upright samick?

[pytheamateur]

I regularly play a Yamaha C3 and a Reid Sohn baby grand (which I understand is the trading name for Samick pianos in the UK). 

Obviously, these are not the models you are talking about and I should not generalise.  However, I can say that there is a world of difference between the Yamaha and the Reid Sohn.  There might be some outside factors (such as the conditions of the room and how much the owner invests in maintaining the pianos), but the Reid Sohn goes out of tune very quickly, its strings keep breaking one after another and the sound lacks depth and can even be "ugly".  Of course the Yamaha is no Steinway or Bechstein but I find it to be a decent and reliable piano, more than sufficient for my needs as a serious amateur.

As you are still studying in a conservatoire, I suppose you get access to nice pianos so this might not be a problem.  Incidently, the Reid Sohn in question is actually the practice piano of a concert pianist.  So perhaps if you are already fully developed as a pianist, then the quality of your piano does not matter so much?  For me though, it is certainly not helping me to learn to use the pedal properly and to develop a nice tone.

[hfmadopter]

Have a look at this thread  https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php?topic=39322.0

Here in the US we have some used piano dealers who give great warranty offers on rebuilt or well taken care of pianos. I think you would be much happier with something approaching 6 ft. vs the GB1. It could be argued that some uprights have nicer tone than some short grands, not saying this is the case with your upright vs the GB1 mind you, but it could be. I do think overall you generally get nicer action from a grand than most average uprights though. I really would look further personally, try to land something around 5'8" or 5'10" if space is tight.

[ionian_tinnear]

Another thing to consider is that Yamaha G series is not really designed for advance players who will really put the instrument thru heavy playing.  It will simply wear out too fast.  The action will not put up with the heavy use, and will become very loose.  G's are more for beginners, light playing, and furniture.

The C series is intended for more strenuous use.  Hence the price difference.  I'd shy away from the little G.  If you're a serious, and advance, player, you won't like it for very long.

Just my opinion, based on having to use both series in venues where they get heavy use.  The G's don't cut it.  And of course I have a steinway, so I'm a little biased!  (actually the nicest grand in my area is a Yamaha C6.  The big Steinway at the big theatre is not regulated well enough, needs new hammers, but the cheap bastard that manages that theatre won't get it fixed!)

[sphince]

First things first.Thank you for all your replies.Being new to this forum,getting some popularity in my threads is a very nice feat.
Now i read a reply on porcupines thread from keys60(big thanks to hfmadopter )
about some critique on the basic list of baby grand piano's(which critique completely shattered my idea of the gb1 and now i'm scared of even testing it).But for now I will follow pytheamateur's advice.It's true I have (with some limits) access to some very nice grands(crown jewel of which is a 135.000$ bosendorfer 225 but i only got to play with it once,because the head professor had to be there to monitor me Anyway I will stick with my samick It's great for studying home and let's not forget that if Istudy home on a mediocre upright piano,when I play on the big grands I will definetely feel the difference

[hfmadopter]

First things first.Thank you for all your replies.Being new to this forum,getting some popularity in my threads is a very nice feat.
Now i read a reply on porcupines thread from keys60(big thanks to hfmadopter )
about some critique on the basic list of baby grand piano's(which critique completely shattered my idea of the gb1 and now i'm scared of even testing it).But for now I will follow pytheamateur's advice.It's true I have (with some limits) access to some very nice grands(crown jewel of which is a 135.000$ bosendorfer 225 but i only got to play with it once,because the head professor had to be there to monitor me Anyway I will stick with my samick It's great for studying home and let's not forget that if I Study home on a mediocre upright piano,when I play on the big grands I will definitely feel the difference

You're welcome ! I'd probably go play it anyway along with other choices you may have in mind. It's good to get a feel of different instruments, it will help guide you when you get ready to purchase. You might be surprised at some choices that end up pleasing you. You don't have to play an hour long sonata either, just pieces of some music you like and get a feel for the different instruments. And read reviews, you will find something along the way..

[robson]

I'd stay away from entry level yamaha instruments because in that case you're paying for label only. Yamaha is very good but you'd have to look for higher models.