Buying pianos

[chopinisque]

I'm trying to decide on what piano to buy, so I'm hoping for some help. 

1.  Have you ever heard of Linden and Schumann and if you have, what do you think about them?

2.  Is it better to buy a secondhand upright in "good" (because I don't really know how to tell if it's in good condition) condition or get a new one?

3.  Are Kawai's or Yamaha's better?

Thanks.

[xvimbi]

I can't answer your question directly, but the single most important item to get before you venture out and play all kinds of pianos is Larry Fine's book "The Piano Book: Buying & Owning a New or Used Piano" and the 2004-2005 supplement, which contains current manufacturer and price information. It contains answers to practically any question a prospective piano buyer could have, and it costs only between 1% and 0.02% of the final price of the piano, so it is well worth it.

[chopinisque]

Thanks for the reply.  I'll be on the lookout for that book the next time I visit a bookshop.