Yamaha GC1 vs. Sohmer Baby Grand

[Razor]

I'm about ot purchase a new baby grand.  I have narrowed it down to a new Sohmer 5'4" or the Yamaha GC1.  I would like to hear comments (good or bad) on either.  I'm an average player and really don't need advice on why I should upgrade to a bigger or more expensive piano.  I've done a fair bit of research on these two pianos but it would sure help if anyone has some hands on experience.  Thanks.

[iumonito]

Confirm the Sohmer does not have back aggraffes (as old Sohmers did).  Only a very hard plate could withstand the tension and these are candidates to break irreparably.

If the Sohmer si not half the price of the yamaha, get the Yamaha.

[wynnbear]

Back agraffes have nothing to do with this.

A new Sohmer is an upper-end Samick Korean product.  They have no problems with their plates.  The reported quality on these has been pretty good.  The Yamaha is one of their bottom-of-the-line, entry level products. 

Frankly, I'd think musical and construction quality on the two would be pretty close, with the Sohmer showing a prettier case.

Play both and choose the one you like.  If you can't tell that one plays better for your tastes than the other, then I'd choose on price, or based on the dealership that I was most pleased with.

Both are in new condition, and have factory warranties.

[Axtremus]

Confirm the Sohmer does not have back aggraffes (as old Sohmers did).  Only a very hard plate could withstand the tension and these are candidates to break irreparably.

Are you suggesting that the plates would break or the aggraffes would break? I do not see how adding back aggraffes would add more tension. Can you please elaborate on the physics behind this? Thanks.

[iumonito]

Most certainly.  A back agraffe, such as those in old Sohmer pianos and in Stuart & Sons pianos now, changes the vector at which the string is attached to the plate, from horizontal (as in all modern pianos except for Stuart & Sons) to vertical.  The concept behind this is that a vertically attached string will vibrate perpendicularly to the soundboard, theoretically resulting in better vibration.  In practice, much sympathetic vibration is lost, resulting in a sound that while very clear, may lack in warmth to certain tastes.

Naturally, the agraffes holding the strings in the back are subject to much more tension than "horizontal" bridges and pins, because there is no diffusion of the tension.  Thus, in old Sohmers it is quite common to find agraffes that simply give.

I think it is basically the same principle you use when opening a bottle of beer.

...thinking of which...

[rich_galassini]

iuminito,

You are correct that old Sohmers have had issues with agraffe breakage, but the Sohmers spoken about are new ones.

If the Sohmer is well prepped I would choose it over the Yamie. I recently had a member of this forum visit. He was quite impressed with the new Sohmer piano. I hope he comments.

[Axtremus]

iumonito and Rich_Galassini,

Thanks for the clarification on the agraffe breakage issue on old Sohmers.