Wendl & Lung

[j-one]

I visited a piano shop last friday. They sell Wendl & Lung  pianos (122 upright) half the money you usually spend on a new 122 cm upright. This is an entirely new piano, parts made in China, assembled in Austria I think. I was at the piano shop to perhaps buy one of these pianos. well, I didn't. Why? I found a better piano   

https://www.wendl-lung.com/

Wendl & Lung pianos are very good, no doubt. I was surprised by the touch - it was very good. Depht and momentum/resistance similar to e.g. yamaha pianos. I liked it - a lot. The sound is a bit mellow, but not weak. However (and this made me choose another piano), when playing forte*3, I did not think the sound responded as much as it should. I want the sound to develop from mellow to sharper and fly out of the piano like attacking hawks when playing hard. There was an end to the dynamics of the sound that I think came too early for my taste. This could however be a regulatory issue! China pianos often need some regulating to get the best out of them. But I did not want to spend money and risk it.

Next to the Wendl & Lung piano, there was a brand new Yamaha U1. Almost three times as expensive, but twice as good. It responded exactly as it should - or as I liked it. I eventually bought a used Yamaha piano which I expect to be delivered within a month.     

Further about the Wendl & Lung. Since the pianos are so cheap (and indeed affordable!!!), they had to cut costs somewhere. I do not think they cut very much in the mechanics in the keys. That felt very good. But when inspecting the rest of the piano visually, and compare it to the Yamaha (unfair - I know  ), you see that the precision and choice of materials is of not as good quality as in the Yamaha. But hey, what do you expect for that a little money!

Final word
Try them!

Wendl & Lung pianos are affordable - no doubt. Cheap, new, guarantee. Gee!
Surprisingly good touch
Limited sound dynamics

If you are a professional piano player you will spend extra money to get a more expensive piano I think.

Otherwise - go ahead. This is a good choice. A new piano, with many years guarantee. And good looking.