Buying upright piano for professional use

[jon_kristian]

I have just graduated with a masters degree from a music conservatory and am about to buy a new upright piano with silent function. The piano will be mainly a practice instrument, so the quality of tone isn't as important as the physical feeling of playing it.

I would like to hear from other professional pianist what experiences you have with the different brands and models. Not just how the pianos are when they are new, but also how they are after some years of heavy use. Both tone quality, and most importantly, the mechanics. Which piano is most reliable, most even and most alike a grand piano.

The brands I have in mind are

Schimmel
Sauter
Petrof
Bechstein
Rönisch
Yamaha
Kawai

From what i have experienced so far I like the Schimmel K122 the most. But maybe you could change my mind.

Run debate

[outin]

I have just graduated with a masters degree from a music conservatory and am about to buy a new upright piano with silent function. The piano will be mainly a practice instrument, so the quality of tone isn't as important as the physical feeling of playing it.

I would like to hear from other professional pianist what experiences you have with the different brands and models. Not just how the pianos are when they are new, but also how they are after some years of heavy use. Both tone quality, and most importantly, the mechanics. Which piano is most reliable, most even and most alike a grand piano.

I am not professional, but my experience with a Yamaha silent upright (U1) is that the silent mechanism does change the touch compared to an ordinary model. So make sure you play them enough before buying. As far as the overall quality of the piano, according to my tech this one is an excellent piano.

[hfmadopter]

Taking into account what you are saying right up front and not considering anything else, I'd say you found your instrument. Since it's a practice instrument and you found one that you like and it fits your needs, the search is over.

Easy for me to say ! Course, I'd rather not be without my grand even if it's ancient, you guys can all keep the uprights. I've owned one of those and played a couple more but like the action on a grand piano in general. Some are dogs true or not suited to my touch but even so, the accuracy is generally still very good..

As to the silent mode in an upright acoustic piano? By a digital ! Silent mode in an acoustic makes no sense. So my vote goes to buying a good used or rebuilt grand piano and a digital. This is a professional life time investment. Well the grand is, the digital is throw away.

[manuelc]

Hi Jon,
I have a second hand Schimmel K122 with silent for sale.
I live in the uk south east.
Are you still looking for to buy a piano ?
Thanks.
manuel

[indianajo]

Old post, OP is long gone.