Grand piano Dubai

[alexdxb]

Hello everyone!
I'm new here and would appreciate any help! I'm looking to buy a 'baby' grand piano here in Dubai, I must say its a nightmare!! Very little opinions and all the technicians are the one selling it so as I read here before they all say: 'our piano is in mint condition! It's like brand new' I want to buy a Yamaha C3 or a Kaway GS40 however I'm consern about the so called grey market as most of the pianos here are from 70's 80's the asking price is about $13.500.... They also recommend to buy a di/humidifier to install under the piano due to the humidity over here! While I was looking around I stop buy a virgin mega store where they sell Yamaha pianos and the sale Assistante told me that because the C series has been discontinued they are selling this models with 50% off but the only piano left is a C5 which new is around $23000
Please can anyone help me here I'm very confuse

[ulymoon]

Hello,

I can see your problem. If you want to get a new piano, then you it is a good idea to check out this:

https://www.newfoundpianosgulf.com/

[ulymoon]

One more thing, I guess they also sell second hand pianos.

I have to say that I haven't dealt with them, and I don't know how good they are, so you should make sure their service is ok.

[pristinepiano]

First of all, the grey market pianos are more of a concern from a tuning pin/pin block aspect if they are going to a climate with lower humidity, like N.A or a desert area.  They will dry out and reduce the wood's tension on the tuning pins.  Secondly, the strings and metal parts should be inspected to ensure they are not rusted from the previous humid climates. One store here exclusively sells grey market yamaha's and charges 2.5-3K more for them than others.  The reason being is that he changes out the tuning pins and strings in all of them.  They offers a 10 year warranty with this practice and won't do it any other way.  Buying one "as is" is a bit of a risk, sometimes its alright, more often than not, you get bit in the long run.

As a technician/piano player my advice as far as "baby" grands is concerned is to try and get something a little bigger if you can....183cm (6 ft) or bigger.  The inharmonicity in the bass, tone and projection of lesser lengthed pianos is severely inhibited by the reduced string lengths.  You pay a hefty premium for smaller instruments which sound even somewhat decent.

Consider purchasing Larry Fine's book, The Piano Book (user/buyers guide).  Do a search for the free online supplament to it for more updated info.  Will put a link to it below but not sure if that will process through here...
https://www.pianobuyer.com/publication.html#1 

[daniman71]

Hi,

I have only just seen this post and wondered how you got on with buying a baby grand in Dubai?
I too am looking for a piano, and would have jumped at the chance to purchase a C5 at 50% off.

I don't suppose you recall which Virgin Megastore it was please ?

Hope to hear of your successful efforts