Would a digital do - for now?

[gkatele]

I need some advice. I have an unusual situation, and hope to get some "sound" advice here. I am a returning student. I played seriously in my teens (Rach C# minor prelude, Liebstraum, Grieg sonata), and left the piano when I went to post-college studies, training, marriage, kids, etc. Back in 1976 (about 5 years after stopping lessons) I acquired a Baldwin Hamilton piano. Got the thing because it sounded great.

Hate the piano.

Even in my out of shape state, I could outrun it. Repeated notes, trills, etc. were just not doable.

Anyhow, after all these years, a marriage, and 4 kids later, I've returned. I'm starting off slow, resurrecting some of the old works (the Grieg sonata), and working on the WTC (learned the C minor prelude and fugue - working on the C major (gawd  it's complicated!)).

I am the proud (?) owner of 2 homes, one of which is a vacation/retirement home, and the other is where I live/work day-to-day. That's where the Baldwin is. I hope to, after I get 2 kids out of college, get a grand piano. I've looked at the Yamaha C3, Kawai RX3, the Mason and Hamlin B, the Bostons, etc. Gives you an idea of what I'm looking at.

Here's (finally!) the question.

Finances being tight (right now) what's the best option for me?

I'm thinking that keeping the Baldwin in my main home, and getting a reasonable digital for the weekend, vacation,retirement place would work. Then, when money and retirement get closer, sell them both and get the piano that I REALLY want.

Gotta understand, buying a grand is just NOT an option - right now.

Does this make sense? Am I totally nuts?

If not crazy, what digital would you recommend - for quality and eventual resale?

Thanks for reading this long-winded post.

george

[jr11]

Hmmm... if you have a good job, two homes, and can afford to put kids through college, I would say that if you put any kind of priority on getting a piano, you could afford it.

As well, there are plenty of inexpensive small console pianos out there that can be bought for about the same price as a digital. Consider a digital is an electronic device, and like computer, will have almost no resale value 5 years from now, while even the cheapest piano will still be under warranty.

Unless you find the advantages of a digital appealing (multi voices, portability, recording, headphones), I would shy away. Even the best digital is just an imitation piano.

However, just to confuse you, I will tell you I have a nice grand and a digital, and wouldn't be without either. But that is in the same home. If I could have only one instrument in a home, it would be a piano.

Be patient... one day you will get that instrument of your dreams!

[chopin2256]

Do not get a digital piano.  The piano sounds will be bad, you will be very disappointed.  The feel will be horrible.  Again, dissapointment, especially for the price.  Use the money that you were going to spend on the digital piano to get a used upright piano.

[Sketchee]

Do not get a digital piano.  The piano sounds will be bad, you will be very disappointed.  The feel will be horrible.  Again, dissapointment, especially for the price.  Use the money that you were going to spend on the digital piano to get a used upright piano.

A lot of people in the forum seem genuinely happy with digitals.  Most agree though that they are more of a supplement to a real piano than a replacement. 

[Ed Thomas]

Sketchee: That is it EXACTLY!   As a supplement, the whole argument about which is better defuses nicely.  I agree completely.

gkatele:  I have to agree with JR11.  You're talking to a group that often opts to buy a piano before even having a house to put it in, or a car to drive.  I was living in a garage apartment while driving an old VW (back when that was a bad thing) when I bought my G2 new.  It took up most of the living space.  Still does eat up most of my living room.

So go right out and start shopping for your dream piano.  I secretly hope you buy the Mason and Hamlin.  I love those things.

[gkatele]

Ed Thomas wrote:

"I secretly hope you buy the Mason and Hamlin.  I love those things."

What amazed me about the Mason and Hamelin - and not about the Petrof, Steinway (except the "A") Kawai - is how I was able to make that instrument "sing." As I said, I'm just coming back to the piano after a 3 decade absence. I've found that one of the most difficult pieces, and I don't mean technically - hitting the notes, is the Bach C minor prelude from book 1 of the Well Tempered Clavier. It's such a "mechanical" piece of music. To get it to sing he melody is hard, especially on my Baldwin Hamilton. I was able to on the Mason and Hamlin.

The other thing that amazed me is the total difference between individual instruments. I've been told that the Kawais and Yamahas are very consistent from piano to piano. In other words, if you play one C3, you've played them all. In fact, I've been told that you can buy one without trying the actual piano because they are all the same (and that _may_ be a good thing).

On the other hand, I played two Mason & Hamlins - brand new, same model. As different as night and day. One, I wouldn't look at twice. The other I fell in love with.

I guess that's what "shopping" is all about. If I hadn't played the second M & H, I would have blown them all off as not for me.

Curioser and curioser....


George

[Ed Thomas]

gkatele:  That is terrific... that you've found an instrument to fire you up again.  Pianos certainly are very different.  Do remember that at one level they are machines and how they are adjusted and tuned makes all the difference.  So it is very likely that some of the pianos that didn't speak to you could be brought into your taste by a competent tuner/tech.  I am not sure I agree with the assessment that you play one C3 you've played them all.  As precisely as the Yamahas and Kawais, etc. are built, there are still subtleties to each one, which grow as the piano ages.   I only say this to muddy your waters and make your choices even harder.  Don't thank me.     It must be great fun to be in the market for your dream instrument.  Keep us posted.

[janice]

I had a Mason & Hamlin console when I was growing up, and got a Kawai KG-2 later on.  I cannot speak highly enough for BOTH pianos!!  Yes, the Mason & Hamlin "sings"--I know what you mean.  Even though it was only a console, it could out-do many grands!  So don't underestimate a Mason & Hamlin console!  The others have given you some great advice--so listen to them! 

[alvaro_galvez]

Well, I dont know why people are dissing electric pianos but I HIGHLY recommend them. Yes, yes, I know that electrics are just an imitation but thanks to the technology that we have access to these days digital pianos have highly evolved and are really turning out to be a very advisable choice for pianists.
The touch in digitals, to my taste, has come very close to the actual thing (although I know, not entirely) and only to a very advanced pianist is this touch simulation insufficient.
Another very important factor in digitals is their portability (this could help you a lot if you wish to move the piano around between your 2 houses).
Also, I dont know if the noise issue is important in your house but to me the headphone jacks have been extremely useful (those midnight practice sessions feel good , so quiet...), this was one of the MAJOR advantages that made me make my mind up for a Clavinova.
My advise would be to get a digital NOW. From own experience I can say that you wont be dissapointed and it will satisfy and help you much until you can get your hands on that dream Grand.
All in all consider the pros and cons on digitals and acoustics and see which one fits you needs. Perhaps try each one to make up your mind?
If you can post a budget line maybe we can give you a list of options for you to consider, wether its digital or acoustic.

[RJones]

Given the situation you have described, digital is definately the way to go. The latest generation of high end digitals are amazing. While not a 100% pure immitation of the real thing (who cares) they do a pretty good job, and have one advantage over an accoustic that no-one seems to talk about. Because digital instruments have MIDI ports, you can connect them to various tone generators, samplers and computers which affords you the option of playing simulations of many different kinds of pianos (or other instruments for that matter).

For example, with a digital connected to your PC running a sof samplers like GIGA, you can play samples of Steinways, Yamahas and Bosies, M&H, etc. Pretty much anythiing that happens to move you at that particular moment.

Rodney

[chopin_girl]

Do not get a digital piano.  The piano sounds will be bad, you will be very disappointed.  The feel will be horrible.  Again, dissapointment, especially for the price.  Use the money that you were going to spend on the digital piano to get a used upright piano.

I agree with this opinion.
That's totally true.
You should not get the digital piano. They are not so good. Clavinovas are acceptable in a way but for professionals, for people who intend to practice seriously....NO.

[JazzP120]

I agree with this opinion.
That's totally true.
You should not get the digital piano. They are not so good.

I strongly disagree.

Chris

[Sketchee]

I agree with this opinion.
That's totally true.
You should not get the digital piano. They are not so good. Clavinovas are acceptable in a way but for professionals, for people who intend to practice seriously....NO.

I already disagreed.  As I said, it's stated with precedent that many people who practice seriously use digitals.  I practice quite seriously using both digital and acoustic pianos.  Is it possible to practice successfully on a digital piano?  Yes.  There are limitations and you will need to practice certain things on a  real piano that won't suffice on a digital.  Much of the mental, technical, and yes even musical skills can be successfully practiced on a digital piano.  That's not to say it's for everyone, but the assertion or generallization that all professionals and serious pianists couldn't use a digital piano as a supplement is false.  It's also untrue that everyone who owns a digital are disappointed.  Many people here as well as on usenet's rec.music.makers.piano, and other forums are satisfied and are very serious about their playing.

IMO, it is more beneficial to a purchaser to tell them what factors are important to you that makes the digital piano good or bad for you.  Then let the purchaser decide for themselves whether it is worthwhile.

[gyzzzmo]

Hi
digital piano's are becoming better and better. Now the yamaha clavinova's are good enough to be able to play a piece to a certain, relatively high, quality.
But to my opinion this is only when you use good headphones.

However the quality will -never- be as good as a quality acoustic piano!
The greatest advantage of a digital piano is the ability of using headphones and not bothering your neighbours.

good luck.
Gyzzzmo