Want to buy a new piano....

[silva]

Where do I begin,

seeing as Ive been teaching myself piano for about 2 years now.... I want to get my parents to buy a new one because mine is older than me (at least 20 years old) and it just sounds so horrible compared to other uprights at my school....

There is a kemble london piano at my school that sounds really nice and I thought bout finding one of them to buy.... however I thought this was the piano for me until I played a different one at school today,

I think it is just because my piano is so old is osunds more like BONG! than Dum (if u know what I mean ) I dont want to get it re strung as the feeling of a new piano (minus the stiff keys ) would give me a greater advantage (in my opinion) what do you think I would have to pay for a decent upright (Im from the UK btw) thank you for reading

- Silva

[richard w]

Hi Silva,

20 years isn't old for a piano. If your piano is going 'bong' rather than 'dum' then it is probably much older than 20 years, or otherwise has been kept in very bad conditions (damp, etc) at some stage. I take it that your strings are dull and corroded, rather than bright and shiny. Just for your own curiosity, you could ask your piano tuner whether he thought re-string would be worthwhile and what the approximate cost might be. It might be possible to greatly enhance the action with some skilful regulation, too, giving you something closer to the feel of a new piano. But, my view would be that unless it was once an expensive piano you are probably better off replacing your instrument.

Therefore, go to your nearest piano shops and try some instruments out. Check the price tags to see what your money will get you. Bear in mind that good discounts off the manufacturer's list price are usually available, for instance I know of one UK dealer who advertises 30% of the list price of all Yamahas as a matter of course. Therefore, check what the manufacturer's price is before you make a purchase, and shop around.

To get your search started right now without having to leave home, a quick search of the internet should reveal several UK dealers' websites, some of which give pricing information. If you find that new pianos take you over your budget, then consider a used instrument. In some instances you can end up with better quality for less money. Whatever you decide to do, let your playing experiences of prospective instruments be your guide.

Finally, get some lessons - a good teacher will make a huge difference to your progress and musical understanding, imho.


Happy hunting.



Richard.

[silva]

ok thanks rich I appreciate it

hes the piano was kept in the garage of my new house unused for 7 years plus, until I wanted to take it back up, and its not exactly the nicest environment for a piano......

Ill look into your suggestions... many thanksagain

- Jon

[Jacey1973]

Are you from the UK Silva? If not this post won't be of much help but anyway...

Because i bought (well my parents bought!) a new piano last August. I spent months and months looking round in just about every piano store i could find in the Midlands, Cardiff, and Bristol areas. It is a really important decision because once you get a piano you have to be happy with it for a good few years (considering you're not likely to change it that often - unless you have loads of money - you might do!)

I only had a budget of about £3000 (which can't buy you a top of the range piano but a fairly decent one - perhaps secondhand).

You really have to play a wide range of pianos. I've heard Kemble pianos are supposed to be good but the ones i tried i wasn't keen on (even the brand new ones). I'm not an expert but i got to know the kind of pianos i liked (after months of searching!) The ones i tended to like were (N.B every single piano is unique, so you can't always rely on the name - especially if the piano is second hand and it has had some "work" done to it!):

Kawai (I tried brand new ones and very nearly bought one! They all seem to have a lovely soft-ish tone)

Steinway (Way out of my budget - even the second hand ones! I had much pleasure playing the £50,000 ones i found! )

Bechstein

Anyway getting to the point...i've always hated Yamaha pianos and played loads but never liked any. Then one day in a piano store in the middle of no where (actually it was somewhere near Kiddiminster in the West Midlands), i played on this 20 year old (the same age as me!) Yamaha YUS model and fell in love with it - although i swore i would never buy a Yamaha.

I think you will know when you find a piano you love it will stand out a mile. But the best piano store i visited was definitely the Bristol Piano Company (in...Bristol!) They have a wide choice and are really friendly and helpful. Although i'm sure there is loads of choice in London (i didn't shop around there - too far away and i don't particulary like the city).

[Michele Felice]

I am wondering when your piano was last tuned. If it has been many years, have it tuned, regulated and voiced before you decide to replace it.

[chickering9]

I am wondering when your piano was last tuned. If it has been many years, have it tuned, regulated and voiced before you decide to replace it.

I was thinking the same.  Tuned, at least, first (and whatever regulation you can get with a tuning).  If then it starts sounding like something, spend a little more for a more complete regulation and perhaps a voicing.  The cost of a tuning isn't that much more than the gas you'll spend getting started shopping.  And until it's tuned, you really can't know what you've got.    And even if you decide to shop new, you'll be in better shape for trading the old one, or selling it.  At the very least, it might buy you some time by giving yourself something to play while you take your time to buy what you might really want.