The Petrof IV 5'8" was $14.5K (2003 model), the new one is ~16K.I plan to keep it in our 12x15 living room, carpet floor, 13' high ceiling.
Here's what I've seen so far (polished ebony):Boston GP163 5'4" for $15K (brand new)Kawai RX2 5'10" for $14K (2002 model)Yamaha C2 5'8" for $15K (brand new)All of the above sounded quite comparable. Any recommendations?I've ruled out Young Chang, and although I've read good reviews aboutthe Estonia 168 (5'6"), the $18K price quoted by the dealer was above budget.Also, I'd like to hear if you have any suggestions about buying used pianos online from out of town dealers?
I've had a tone of experience playing Boston pianos. They're from the Steinway family. ...I've played some Kawai's, but not enough to pass any judgement. ...
The best concert quality pianos meet the musical demands of pianists with respect to tone and action and are made with proper materials and workmanship to be durable to withstand such demands. Important factors are sand casted plates (rather than vacuum processed), white spruce soundboards (rather than Sitka), hard woods in the rim, and hand-notched bridges and stringing. There are many variables, but the better instruments contain high quality felts and genuine leather, superior woods and solid brass hardware. If you wish to spend over $40,000.00 there are about 10 good choices. The most familiar to Americans, of course is Steinway. But since they are usually not discounted there are 9 others, although more expensive, with generous discounts can be obtained for the same or even less than
Impresario wrote:"Important factors are sand casted plates (rather than vacuum processed), white spruce soundboards (rather than Sitka), hard woods in the rim, and hand-notched bridges and stringing. There are many variables, but the better instruments contain high quality felts and genuine leather, superior woods and solid brass hardware."
Impresario wrote:"It is a given that one who plays well should let the piano speak for itself."
Impresario wrote:"Many new pianos sound and feel very good but they will not be durable or stable in the long run. If you don't pay much for it and you know it's not rebuildable and good enough for ten years, that is fine."
(Though with top-notch rebuilding costing upwards of $20k, why any one would pay $20k to rebuild something that can be bought for $15k is beyond me. )
Here is a thought: if the rebuilding (really, remanufacture) can make your end result a piano better than the 20K you pay (obviously, also much better than the instrument you paid $15,000) I think it makes a lot of sense, actually.