Boston Uprights

[scriabin24]

I'm looking at purchasing a new Boston upright (UP-118S) under $5k - the same store that sells these sells the Kawai uprights (a little cheaper) but they just don't sound the same (they're in a different area of the store) and don't have the same response.  I'm looking if anyone has any negatives they can give me on the Boston uprights that may point me to the Kawai's or Yamaha's.  I've already heard the "they may not be in business in the future (from the store selling them believe it or not)" so value may depreciate, they're made by Kawai", etc. - but I plan on giving this one to my daughter when she moves out (and purchase something else) in a few years so I'm not worried about resale value.  Does anyone know if they're easy to repair/tune - are they durable (kind of vague)?  Thanks in advance - and if anyone knows is $5k a "reasonable" price - I don't want to rip off the salesperson (he needs to live) but I don't want to be taken advantage of either.  Again Thanks!

[sirpazhan]

Personaly of the three,, I would go with a Yamaha (U1,U3,U5).  Yamaha upright pianos have a stong dependability, with good keytouch response, and a great value-per-dollar.  I personaly really like Yamaha's light responsive keys over Boston's and Kawai's. 

As far as the repair/tune goes,, I'd say it's faily easy.  Asian piano parts are not very hard to find (unless its grey market) -- cost of parts/repair relatively cheap compared to German pianos.   

As price goes,, I believe Yamaha's are the most expensive of the three (the U series are real expensive).. then comes Kawai,, last Boston.. But it all depends on the size:  44, 45, 46,48,50, 52  --- and the finish..  I've seen the Boston 118S (46") around 3 grand(give or take a litte).  Hope this helps.

-as

[richard w]

When I was looking for a full size upright for myself (ie 130 cm tall), I have to say I would have chosen the Yamaha over the Kawai and the Boston. That said, I think I preferred the touch on the Boston, but it just lacked something when you 'opened' the instrument up (ie in fortissimo playing) which the Yamaha was able to provide. The U3 (or U5) was actually quite a bit cheaper than the big Boston too. I'm going back about 5 or 6 years here now though.

In the end I got a German instrument.

[scriabin24]

Thanks you for the replies - WOW, $5000 vs. $3000 seems like a large price difference (40%).  Could you tell me what area of the country you've seen this price at - where I'm at there's only a couple of dealers and only 1 carries the Boston line.  It seems like at $5000 I might be in the getting ripped off category?  One last question, was the $3000 for a used piano or new?  If I could get it for $3k give or take a little - the deal would be done tomorrow.

Thanks

[Axtremus]

Yeah, it's true that Boston pianos are made by Kawai. There's nothing wrong with that. You said it's a Boston UP-118S... but the Steinway website lists only UP-118C and UP-118E, no UP-118S. Can you please clarify?

I'm also a little curious about the $3k quote... seems way too low to me, but I'm not that familiar with Boston pianos. (Even the tiniest of Kawai's K-series upright would sell for quite a bit more, I think. )

If the UP-118 is a 46" piano, and if you want to compare that to Kawai uprights, then the comparison would fall between a Kawai K-18 at 44" and a Kawai K-25 at 48", and go pregressively bigger. The Yamaha U1 starts at 48", then the U3 at 52". I like the Yamaha U-series, and I like the Kawai K-series from K-50 and up (K-50 is where I start comparing to Yamaha's U-series). Not as familiar with the Bostons.

Don't worry too much about depreciation. Every piano depreciates. And the value for most used pianos depend on their condition (how well you take care of them) rather than the brand name (unless it has a super-prestiguous name like Steinway or Boesendorfer). The best value of a piano comes from the joy of music and the education you and your family get out of the piano.

Good luck.

[scriabin24]

It's the 4th piano from the bottom at the following website.

https://www.steinway.com/boston/models.shtml

Thanks for the information and opinion.  I guess you agree with me that the $3000 might be a little on the low side.  I hope sirpazhan posts back with a little more details on the price -- like I said for $3k I wouldn't be able to open my check book fast enough.

[musicg18]

I own the 118S and it is a very good piano, the sustenuto pedal sqeeks a little, but other than that it has been a wonderful piano.  As for getting it for 3k, i doubt it.  I got mine for just over 5k i believe.  I would go with the Yamaha or the Boston.  Don't go for the kawaii....they just aren't great.  And as for the Boston being made by Kawaii, it is all steinway parts that are assembled by kawaii....to steinway specifications. 

[Axtremus]

I own the 118S and it is a very good piano, the sustenuto pedal sqeeks a little, but other than that it has been a wonderful piano.

I am not aware that there is a sostenuto pedal in the Boston 118 upright -- would the middle peddle let you selectively sustain individual notes (true sostenuto), or does it lift the bass section's dampers (bass sustain) ? In any case, if the sqeek bothers you, do talk to your tuner/technician about the sqeek when you next get your piano tuned... it could be something that can be fixed easily. Glad to read that you enjoy your piano.

[scriabin24]

It's just bass sustain...

[bach2468]

I've been looking at the Boston 118s Black oak satin (new) and they are asking $7000.00 does anybody know if that is average price or high?