To buy Niendorf or Yamaha U3?

[caron]

Hi,
I saw two pianos that I liked the sound.
The first one is Yamaha U3 from year 1974.The sound is good, It is in good condition both mechanically and cosmetically. This is for the price of 2888$
The other one is Niendorf piano. Its sound is good, mechanically it is ok and cosmetically it needs some work (but I don't have to). The price is 2000$.
About this piano I don't know what the serial number so I don't know the model and year, but I do know it is  139cm hight, 68cm depth (maybe you can tell what model it is).

Can anyone advise me wich one is better to buy?

[pianogenius]

Caron,  It sounds like you have narrowed down your decision to two pianos.  If the Yamaha was purchased originally here in the U.S. I would recommend going with the reliability of the Yamaha.  Watch out for imported Yamaha's from Asia.  not originally sold in this country.

[nipon gaki]

i'd save up for a little bit and buy a new yamaha piano.
not a sermon, just a thought

[caron]

Thank you both for your answer.
Yes I narrowed myself for those 2 pianos because of the budget, time I can spend on a research and the relevance of those 2 pianos.
First of all I live in Israel so the Yamaha piano didn't come from U.S. Secondly both of these pianos are from different stores, and both of them give me 15 years of warranty for the mechanics.
I would really like your opinion of the Niendorf piano, because some other people are interested on it and I told the seller I will give him an answer on monday (so until monday he saves it for me).

I would be happy if you gave me more of your opinion on what I asked.

Thanks,
Eyal

[Daniel_piano]

Yamaha pianos, both U1 and U3 are simply marvellous and second only to Stainway
The touch is perfect (while Kaway are terribly hard) the sound is smooth and not metallic, the dynamic is fabolous
Buy the Yamaha U3

Don't buy a used one, buy a reconditioned one that it's the same thing or even better
Reconditioned Yamaha are 20 years old piano whose keyboard, hammers, strings and mechanic have all been substituted with new ones and the wood has been restored
They look like new, they sound like new; yet they cost 60% less than the price of the new one
You can find a good reconditioned Yamaha U3 at 2900$

Let the used one alone

Daniel



Daniel

[nipon gaki]

reconditioned is a term that is lose at best...if those brokers bringing pianos in from asia have you convinced that reconditioned is as good as new....i question your intelect.

a 20 year old piano that has been "reconditioned" is like a  polished turd...instead of paying 3-4 thousand for a 20+ year old piano...save up and buy a new one that doesnt need reconditioning...be smart

[Daniel_piano]

A good reconditioning means completely substituted blocks, strings, hammers, keayboard, board and action
Now, if a reconditioned is just a renewed or partially renewed piano then it's worst than a used one
But if the reconditioned has been done properly by substituting all the actiong and mechanic you can't really tell the difference between a new one and a used one, at least for what concerns touch and sounds
I phoned my Yamaha Assistance Center and they said that their reconditioned piano for Europe have been reconditioned by Yamaha branches in Taiwan
They didn't seem too sad that I wanted to buy a reconditioned instead of a new one

Stop acting like an idiot
You may be rich but there are people that even by saving money will never have 7000$ to spend on a new piano
In fact, it may surprise you but on Europe and Asia people who buy new piano are just the exception, the true market is in the reconditioned and used as people are not so rich as you believe and Yamaha are not less expensive than other brands
Few people can afford a new Yahama and few people buy or have bought new Yahama pianos

Daniel

[caron]

I think I will take your suggestion and go for the U3.
You are right almost all people here buy used ones, because a new one is simply too expensive. Also the prices here are  more than the U.S so for the same money you pay I will get a lesser worth piano.

I have got 3 more questions:

1. Have you ever heard about a problem in Yamaha pianos that after it becomes 
    old  (more than 30 years old) the soundboard is getting distortion,cracks and the 
    sound becomes more metallic?

2. Have you heard about people having trouble with the white teflon (looks like a 
    white cigarette- I don't know the name of that part) in the mechanism of the
    Yamaha piano?

3. Do you think if I buy a Yamaha piano in an o.k condition (1974) it is probably to   
    last me for another 20 years without having to repair anything (I usually play an
    hour every day so the  wear is small)?

Thank you for your answers,
Eyal
   

[Daniel_piano]

I think I will take your suggestion and go for the U3.
You are right almost all people here buy used ones, because a new one is simply too expensive. Also the prices here are  more than the U.S so for the same money you pay I will get a lesser worth piano.

I have got 3 more questions:

1. Have you ever heard about a problem in Yamaha pianos that after it becomes 
    old  (more than 30 years old) the soundboard is getting distortion,cracks and the 
    sound becomes more metallic?

I heard the sound of an old U1 at my friend house
I didn't noticed it sounded more metallic or anything
What I noticed was tha the higest and lowest notes get dispersed more/the sound lasts more compared to the mechanic of a new one
I can ask my piano technician to have better information

2. Have you heard about people having trouble with the white teflon (looks like a 
    white cigarette- I don't know the name of that part) in the mechanism of the
    Yamaha piano?

Didn't hear about this one
What this defect is supposed to cause?

3. Do you think if I buy a Yamaha piano in an o.k condition (1974) it is probably to   
    last me for another 20 years without having to repair anything (I usually play an
    hour every day so the  wear is small)?

I think so
Now, usually a new piano is renewed in some parts after 30 years and reconditioned after 50 years
If the piano is simply used then either the sealer will renew it for you or you will have to do some little works now and then
If it is from 1974 probably the previously owner did something to renew to piano

What you do usually to renew a piano is to check if the keyboard escapemet/action is still functioning
Try to move from the side each keys left to right
If the movement is too large, you've to renew the keyboard

Have a look at the hammers and see if they appear new or are consumed
Look at the blocks in they're new and if they're going to hold the tuning
Have the piano perfectly tuned before you buy it at wait three days after the tuning to see if it can hold the tuning

For that price I think they should also include transportation, a new bench and at least one free tuning

Thank you for your answers,
Eyal
   

No problem
Let me know what you decide eventually

daniel

[cysoto]

reconditioned is a term that is lose at best...if those brokers bringing pianos in from asia have you convinced that reconditioned is as good as new....i question your intelect.

a 20 year old piano that has been "reconditioned" is like a  polished turd...instead of paying 3-4 thousand for a 20+ year old piano...save up and buy a new one that doesnt need reconditioning...be smart

Nipon, 
You see what happens when you insert your uncalled-for and brilliantly idiotic comments?  People just ignore you!! 

All babies demand attention (and I see that you are no different) but it'd be better for you if you had a “leg-to-stand-on”.