My piano shopping

[outin]

I finally managed to do something about my grand project. I had a meeting in a nearby town and had some time to visit a piano shop. They have a lot of used pianos. There wasn't anything for me at the shop right now (except one that I liked but it was a bit too big), but they have a couple at their workshop that might be of interest to me. Both older German pianos with ivory keys. I'll go and check them out with better time...I would get a good deal on my upright as well, but I haven't decided yet if I'll sell.

Who knows, maybe I'll get myself a nice little x-mas present

[hfmadopter]

Oh yes outin, you have so had this floating around in your mind !! I hope you get a great deal and a great grand piano regardless of what you do with your upright !

I have to say, everyone is different I know but back when I got my grand, so  long ago now, it was very inspiring to me. I wanted to play and practice all the time on it. Course my upright was not of the condition of yours, although it had great tone.

[outin]

It's quite typical that of all the pianos I tried yesterday the one that sort of stuck to my head is the old C.Bechstein, which I thought was too big. It looked really rough, but it spoke to me. Except for the dirt the ivories looked good, just few tiny cracks on some key ends. After they fix the paint shop it will be quite pricey though...don't know if I care to pay for that, since I don't really care about the looks that much.

If I go again to try the ones that were not at the shop, they have a small 155cm French Gaveau, which would be very budget friendly and a 160cm Blüthner. They also have a 160cm August Förster, but it's a chippendale model which is rather disturbing for me. I said I don't care how the piano looks if it's not white, but this one is pretty ugly judging from the photos...also the price is higher.

It's surprisingly difficult to buy a used grand where I live. The shops that are close by have very few grands at the shops, just some Yamahas and Kawais. There are tons of uprights everywhere. The best selections are found with the internet dealers, but it's impossible for me to go and try out pianos far away on regular basis. I don't want to buy the piano without meeting it more than once... I've seen some interesting ones sold by private owners, but those have been too far away. And I have not heard anything from my technician (although I know he must be very busy, I probably should call him).

And of course since this is a small country all the dealers know each other and I hear all kinds of stories 

[outin]

Called for more information...The C.Bechstein (183cm) is actually from late 1800. Has had some parts renewed. If only a simple paint repair is done I could get it for around 8000e. That's quite a lot...

About the same price is the 1940's Blüthner that has had the action renewed. The Gaveau is possibly sold.

They also have a Perzina in the workshop, not a very well known brand, but could be of interest to me.

I guess I'll go again to check them all out...

[hfmadopter]

Someplace out there there is a piano and it has outin written across it's fall board ! Suddenly the fit in the dwelling place seems to have possibilities. You should own a piano that speaks to you most, you will enjoy that one and find satisfaction in that one..

Find your tech though.

[hfmadopter]

Called for more information...The C.Bechstein (183cm) is actually from late 1800. Has had some parts renewed. If only a simple paint repair is done I could get it for around 8000e. That's quite a lot...

About the same price is the 1940's Blüthner that has had the action renewed. The Gaveau is possibly sold.

They also have a Perzina in the workshop, not a very well known brand, but could be of interest to me.

I guess I'll go again to check them all out...

New action can be a very nice thing. It also "can" change the characteristic feel of an instrument on the other hand. But having new action is one thing off the check list of possible future failures in an older piano, assuming it passes a play through by you. Bluthner of course is also a very good name.

[outin]

I called my tech. He has not forgotten me, but has not found my piano yet. Of course it would be best, if I find something that is  cheap and has had nothing done to it, because then he would do everything exactly the way I need. But the private market for used grands is so slow around here...

I'll go check the other options out at the dealer, but I am inclined to wait unless I find something that costs much less than 8000e.

[iancollett6]

Someplace out there there is a piano and it has outin written across it's fall board ! Suddenly the fit in the dwelling place seems to have possibilities. You should own a piano that speaks to you most, you will enjoy that one and find satisfaction in that one..

Find your tech though.

I agree, I spent 18 months choosing my upgraded piano! Didnt mean to but in on a personal conversation but the buying of a new instrument is such an important time!

[outin]

I agree, I spent 18 months choosing my upgraded piano! Didnt mean to but in on a personal conversation but the buying of a new instrument is such an important time!

Yes and the longer I wait the more pressure I put on myself to get it right...

[iancollett6]

Yes and the longer I wait the more pressure I put on myself to get it right...

Im sure that what ever you choose you will know its the right choice, because you chose it.....and you will grow to love it.

[hfmadopter]

Yes and the longer I wait the more pressure I put on myself to get it right...

Nothing worse than self induced pressure, it's unnecessary pressure of the worst order. Then comes indecision, etc etc, till nothing happens and it all goes on the back burner. If you are guilty of this, then in recent years at least, you would have to have fallen in line behind me ! I'm a bit better these days but compared to when I was younger there is still room for improvement, to say the least. But then too I'm kind of pinching pennies with retirement looming down on me.

I would love to just have my Henry F. Miller restored, I believe that would run me about $ 10,000- $12,000US. I'll see what kind of offer comes along from work but I would not want to dip into current funds at this late of a date. Then I walk into the shop down the street from my house and the owner has these brand new glossy Chinese pianos in there for $6000. The wife would kill me if one of those took the place of the Miller anyway but none the less, I played one briefly and concluded if I want action with that kind of side movement to the keys that my Miller is just fine, as it has perhaps less and was built in the late 1800's !! The $7,300 version was better though ( sorry I don't recall the brand, I want to say Harmon but that isn't right, those are the pellet stoves I've been looking at). Some new Chinese pianos are quite good though, just I didn't care for that one. Have you looked at any outin ?

[Bob]

Oh, if you're going out, pick me up a grand piano too.  Bösendorfer or Steinway is ok.  I'm not picky.  I'll pay you back later.

[cabbynum]

Called for more information...The C.Bechstein (183cm) is actually from late 1800. Has had some parts renewed. If only a simple paint repair is done I could get it for around 8000e. That's quite a lot...

About the same price is the 1940's Blüthner that has had the action renewed. The Gaveau is possibly sold.

They also have a Perzina in the workshop, not a very well known brand, but could be of interest to me.

I guess I'll go again to check them all out...

Do you happen to live in Tennessee? There is a piano store here with an old birch stein in the workshop with ivory keys and cracks. It's also fairly large and from late 1800

[hfmadopter]

Oh, if you're going out, pick me up a grand piano too.  Bösendorfer or Steinway is ok.  I'm not picky.  I'll pay you back later.

No, I doubt that's happening Bob ! In my case, I'm headed towards semi fixed income living, so I doubt I will even get myself a new piano but keep up with this one myself as I have for a long time now. It's fun to dream though !

[indianajo]

I'm envious of all that choice of grands within a few miles.  I've only heard five brands of grands: Steinway, Baldwin, Sohmer, Yamaha, Kawai.  We have a lot of choice here- in guitars, banjos, mandolins, console pianos.  I've heard a Bosendorfer on television.  I'd like to hear one from before the sale, and a pre-sale Bechstein, in person.  that's hot going to happen in this state. or Kentucky either. 

[outin]

Do you happen to live in Tennessee? There is a piano store here with an old birch stein in the workshop with ivory keys and cracks. It's also fairly large and from late 1800

No, unfortunately I live in the Northern Europe

[outin]

Oh, if you're going out, pick me up a grand piano too.  Bösendorfer or Steinway is ok.  I'm not picky.  I'll pay you back later.

My tech has a Steinway at their workshop...about 2m long, so I don't think it's for me... After it's done it will be a bit pricey too I imagine...

[outin]

Some new Chinese pianos are quite good though, just I didn't care for that one. Have you looked at any outin ?

I think if I really wanted a new one I would just go for the Estonia, no matter the costs and trouble. After trying out new pianos that are available at the shops here I have realized that what I expect from the piano will probably not happen without some extra work. I also don't think I will know what I want at once, I will have to play the piano for some time. So getting an older one and letting my tech work on it until I'm happy seems to be the best option.

[hfmadopter]

I also don't think I will know what I want at once, I will have to play the piano for some time. So getting an older one and letting my tech work on it until I'm happy seems to be the best option.

Yes, I remember you saying this in the past now that you mention it again. Good plan !