Need advice on a new grand piano for around $50,000

[serrith]

Hello everyone,

I am currently in the market for a new "or used" grand piano.  I have around a $50,000 budget, but I find myself becoming more and more confused while researching all of my options.  I understand that I should play all the pianos before I make any decisions, and I plan to do so, but I would like your opinions on what pianos you think I should test before setting out.  Thanks!

[dogperson]

Hello everyone,

I am currently in the market for a new "or used" grand piano.  I have around a $50,000 budget, but I find myself becoming more and more confused while researching all of my options.  I understand that I should play all the pianos before I make any decisions, and I plan to do so, but I would like your opinions on what pianos you think I should test before setting out.  Thanks!

I'm not trying to evade your question, but which pianos to test is so much of a personal choice in terms of action and tone.  I would recommend that you familiarize yourself with Pianobuyer   https://www.pianobuyer.com/ -- read the reviews and look at what should be a decent price by discount from the SMP.  Pianos are rated by tier.

Every brand will have its loyal followers and its detractors.  Play enough variety and you wiil begin to determine which tone and which action you want.  What might be 'too bright' for someone would be 'perfect' for someone else.   Evaluate by your ears and fingers, not necessarily by the name on the fallboard.

You may already know this but if you are potentially looking at a pre-owned piano, it is essential that you get it inspected by an independent tech that you hire.  This advice is given irrespective of whether you buy from a shop or a private seller.

[serrith]

I appreciate you responding to my post.  You are correct in everything that you said.  And I will definitely play a ton of pianos before I make my decision.  I guess I was just curious if there were specific models people recommend around my budget.  Nice piano stores are a couple hours from my home, and I just want as much information as I can get before heading our.  And thanks for the pianobuyer.com link.  I will check it out. 

[dogperson]

If you could provide your location, you might get some specific information for piano stores/models in your area.

[visitor]

you owe it to yourself to seek out shigeru kawai. mad has the fortune to make that mistake and it has almost ruined all other pianos for me since. in the 35-50K (new will be out of your budget but there are rare used examples) for this range (they can get fantastic value props on preowned market if/when you can find them, people generally don't let them go, so the lack of used models available should/can tell you something).

another one you should look at sand possible can swing new and speak w the builder/maker on is Charles Walter. Played a new one at a steinway shop years ago and it blew me away. heirloom quality and 'sleeper' of an instrument, the personal service you'll get from them is a big plus, and the scale design is fabulous.

[serrith]

Thank you for all of the replies.   I live in the Northern California area near Sacramento.   I have been reading about the Shigeru Kawai.   I would definitely like to try one.

[dogperson]

Thank you for all of the replies.   I live in the Northern California area near Sacramento.   I have been reading about the Shigeru Kawai.   I would definitely like to try one.

 

You might want to contact Ed McMorrow, Edmonds, WA to see what he has for sale - comes highly recommended by pianists (although I have not personally used him)
https://www.ptg.org/scripts/4disapi.dll/4DCGI/directory/RPT/persondetail.html?Action=DirectoryDetail&PersID_W=6918&

[debussychopin]

I m really impressed by the CX line of Yamaha grands. 
Even the C1X had a fantastic response and the depth of sound/what you can make of it, has a good range for a 5 footer.

[huaidongxi]

at that budget you might be able to find a mason & hamlin BB.  if you can find euro brands like estonia, bechstein, schimmel, bluethner in your budget, you've nothing to lose by trying them out as an alternative to kawai/yamaha.  have fun

[hermerik]

Good evening!

I would like to mention a couple of fine brands you definitely should check beford you decide;
Sauter, Grotrian, Steingraeber, Bechstein.
These are all genuine german brands, quite expensive but very high quality. Should mention Steinway also of course, but very expensive.
I have a Sauter delta myself and I love it. Actually, there is a Sauter delta used in Hamburg at Franz klaviere, where I bought mine. I am sure he could send it to the US. The only problem is that you want to try it first and hence you have to fly to Germany. However, it could really be worth it. Germany is the land of the grands! If you go you could check many pianos. Of course US also is full of them but not as dense and moreover I think the price is lower here in  Europe too (at least some brands). Perhaps a grand piano trip? The Sauter in Hamburg (only a couple of years old) is 32000€ which is about 36000$.
There is a grotrian in düsseldorf i know (Schröder klaviere) Very nice too, about 50000$.
Hope you find something!

Best regards and good luck,
Hermes