Search found 470 matches

by mdw
14 Dec 2017, 16:45
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Looking for a newish upright. Bentleys reliable?
Replies: 11
Views: 16966

Re: Looking for a newish upright. Bentleys reliable?

I specifically went to look at their Minster baby grand acoustic piano which had a price tag currently about £5000. I was pleasantly surprised with the touch of the keys and the dynamic response that could be achieved. The piano case was substantial and the strings, frame and sound board looked qui...
by mdw
19 Feb 2017, 09:11
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Problems with Yamaha MX100B with Disklavier
Replies: 3
Views: 11786

Re: Problems with Yamaha MX100B with Disklavier

I have a feeling your on your own with this. Didn't Yamaha let go the guy who was their only expert in this field many years ago. I got the impression they simply swap the whole piano out in warrantee period and leave you to it out of warrantee.
by mdw
01 Aug 2014, 08:10
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha U1 key fronts yellow, soft and peeling
Replies: 8
Views: 13292

Re: Yamaha U1 key fronts yellow, soft and peeling

Add to this dodgy bass strings and loop problems and I really do wonder why people buy these pianos. Lets face it key tops, bass string and loops ......not exactly cheap repairs any of them individually but to do the lot on a piano would cost a small fortune. I cant think of another maker with such ...
by mdw
14 Mar 2014, 10:01
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: How much this piano can value?
Replies: 4
Views: 7584

Re: How much this piano can value?

Exactly what new age said. In the Uk if you were local to me I would CHARGE YOU £200 to take it away and smash it up and dispose of it in a skip. I would be amazed if some one gives you $6k for that.
by mdw
12 Oct 2013, 15:40
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Ritmuller 1909 - reconditioned rosewood upright?
Replies: 5
Views: 9860

Re: Ritmuller 1909 - reconditioned rosewood upright?

You will be buying a piano stuck together with animal glue and made for old damper houses. They may not look as nice but there are much better lasting pianos available for the same money both new and 2nd hand. A lot of shops no longer sell old pianos due to the agro with old instruments and modern h...
by mdw
13 Jun 2013, 18:06
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha C3 v. Kawai KG-2
Replies: 28
Views: 36034

Re: Yamaha C3 v. Kawai KG-2

At 40 years old its a pretty old piano even if it is a Yam. So a thorough check of everything is in order. You either need to trust the shop or take a tech. Whats the guarantee, devil is in the detail here. Things you want to cover are the bits that might happen, broken strings sticky notes, rattles...
by mdw
10 Jun 2013, 16:39
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha C3 v. Kawai KG-2
Replies: 28
Views: 36034

Re: Yamaha C3 v. Kawai KG-2

Point taken. Chances are the only time I will be playing other pianos (when it will matter) is when I take grade exams. From when I did those you can be faced with anything from knackered old village hall pianos ( was along time ago) to 9 foot grands in music colleges. As an example we hire out a s...
by mdw
10 Jun 2013, 15:59
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha C3 v. Kawai KG-2
Replies: 28
Views: 36034

Re: Yamaha C3 v. Kawai KG-2

Depends how often you are going to play other pianos. Some customers say if their piano is too heavy they tend to sound like they are thumping a light touch piano. On the other hand if the touch is very light then when you go to a heavy touch instrument its hard work. On that basis go middle of the ...
by mdw
10 Jun 2013, 15:29
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha C3 v. Kawai KG-2
Replies: 28
Views: 36034

Re: Yamaha C3 v. Kawai KG-2

The best piano for you is the piano you like. Buy the piano you like . £ 900 either way is nothing in the long term. Yamaha is the default for those who don't like to think for themselves. The Yam may be the best for you but you need to try lots and find out what you want. Buy a good piano once as i...
by mdw
08 May 2013, 18:57
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: REID SOHN UPRIGHT SU 110 517320 - Bit of advice?!
Replies: 2
Views: 5740

Re: REID SOHN UPRIGHT SU 110 517320 - Bit of advice?!

The way to get a value is get 3 dealers to come and give you a price they would pay to take it away. Not a oooooooooooooh its worth thousands but I don't want to buy it price but a here is the cold crispy note now price. Pick the best price ring following day and goodbye piano. Some people get the b...
by mdw
27 Apr 2013, 17:15
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: piano buying advice please.. Gumtree and Ebay
Replies: 18
Views: 29534

Re: piano buying advice please.. Gumtree and Ebay

Most shops will be including the delivery £100 1st tune £50 ish and guarantee in that price so add that on to the ebay price. I did the removal on a Kemble a few months back that the customer bought from ebay for £500. Our move cost £95 an when I got it to her she asked me what it was worth expectin...
by mdw
27 Apr 2013, 13:13
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: piano buying advice please.. Gumtree and Ebay
Replies: 18
Views: 29534

Re: piano buying advice please.. Gumtree and Ebay

Ebay is where I send people who don't want to pay us to scrap their problem pianos. DONT buy off ebay, go and speak to your local piano tuner/ dealer. Ebay seems to have lots of people who fancy having a go at flogging a few pianos but NO technical skill or training.
by mdw
14 Apr 2013, 08:55
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Piano graveyard - is it true?
Replies: 6
Views: 10069

Re: Piano graveyard - is it true?

They have got to go somewhere. We charge to take away break up and skip pianos or do it for free if you are buying from us. The frames go for scrap metal £7-£9 per frame. The back bracings ( no polish on them ) go on my fire over winter ( saves me £7 a bag for fire wood) and the rest goes in a skip....
by mdw
28 Mar 2013, 12:19
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Wendl & Lung
Replies: 16
Views: 33690

Re: Wendl & Lung

There is no rule that says a piano loses half its value in 5 years. If there was nobody would buy new pianos. Its supply and demand. Look about at other pianos , does it look good value and do you like it, is it in good condition and has it been looked after. If yes buy it....... if no dont.......ea...
by mdw
25 Mar 2013, 18:37
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Wendl & Lung
Replies: 16
Views: 33690

Re: Wendl & Lung

Depends on which model.
by mdw
25 Mar 2013, 18:34
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: 2nd hand U3-Mark Goodwin vs other piano dealers?
Replies: 14
Views: 21519

Re: 2nd hand U3-Mark Goodwin vs other piano dealers?

We have sold quite a few and had no problems. Was it the 126 which is a nice piano.
by mdw
20 Mar 2013, 08:34
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: New Yamaha B3 vs. Used Yamaha U3
Replies: 19
Views: 35714

Re: New Yamaha B3 vs. Used Yamaha U3

I hate it where there is a limited choice where I live :-( Difficult one that as the reason you are going to get a dirt cheap price is the same reason you cant try one localy. Yep the internet and to a slightly lesser degree Yahama new and 2nd hand dealers. Ohh and the economy as well :D . There ar...
by mdw
19 Mar 2013, 19:49
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: New Yamaha B3 vs. Used Yamaha U3
Replies: 19
Views: 35714

Re: New Yamaha B3 vs. Used Yamaha U3

Do we actually get chance to try out a "new piano"? I mean yes, we can try out the piano in the showroom, but surely the piano that they actually send to us are brand new from the warehouse? If you get the one from the warehouse you will have been stiched up. The one on the showroom floor...
by mdw
19 Mar 2013, 18:56
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: 2nd hand U3-Mark Goodwin vs other piano dealers?
Replies: 14
Views: 21519

Re: 2nd hand U3-Mark Goodwin vs other piano dealers?

Look around at other makes. There used to be loads of money in the 2nd hand Yam game, now there very little so corners are cut. If Reids are local to you try them as Joe sugested. Top people who have full workshop and showroom set up. Not just out of a container and off to the customer.
by mdw
19 Mar 2013, 08:06
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: New Yamaha B3 vs. Used Yamaha U3
Replies: 19
Views: 35714

Re: New Yamaha B3 vs. Used Yamaha U3

There are lots of other makes other than Yamahas out there. Whilst Yamaha seem to be a default ( I dont want to think for myself) option it does concern me the fact that they seem to need a big overhaul at just 30 years old with new bass strings, loops, key tops and other things. I have also seen qu...
by mdw
23 Feb 2013, 19:46
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha U3
Replies: 5
Views: 9648

Re: Yamaha U3

Sounds a bit cut and paste to me.
by mdw
03 Feb 2013, 17:38
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: 1st ( and last purchase) ?
Replies: 27
Views: 29848

Re: 1st ( and last purchase) ?

I would be more interested in what they have done to it rather than age. An older piano would warant a full rebuild a younger one only if its been thrashed. Just bite the bullit and buy a new Kawai then you wont always be wondering about its history and concerned about if you got stitched up or not....
by mdw
01 Feb 2013, 20:44
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Piano upgrade + trade in
Replies: 3
Views: 6950

Re: Piano upgrade + trade in

Probably flog it first. My guess is the dealer will only be able to retail it for 2/3rd max of its new price even if its perfect. Hes got to move it twice, couple of tunes , bit of regulation, guarantee it and make a bit of profit so your probably looking at 1/2 its new value as PX at best.
by mdw
01 Feb 2013, 08:45
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: 1st ( and last purchase) ?
Replies: 27
Views: 29848

Re: 1st ( and last purchase) ?

Do Kawai fix the price a bit like apple computers are all the same price ? No I think people just think its a better bit of kit than the Yamaha therefore no need for the price slashing desperation of Yamaha dealers. :D When reading guarantees look at the detail of what it covers. Massive guarantees...
by mdw
25 Jan 2013, 11:34
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Room effect
Replies: 4
Views: 6855

Re: Room effect

Easy one. If you are going to buy one of them ask the dealer to bring both, put them in the room and give you half an hour to try them and make your choice. Ive done it many a time and always results in a happy customer. Of course if you buy neither expect to pay a standard delivery charge to cover ...
by mdw
21 Jan 2013, 08:20
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: New Kawai Piano
Replies: 11
Views: 13378

Re: New Kawai Piano

A lot of guarantees exclude damage caused by big temp and humidity swings.
by mdw
20 Jan 2013, 08:55
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Bentley piano - please help.
Replies: 2
Views: 4722

Re: Bentley piano - please help.

Ring 3 local shops, get quotes , take best price. Thats best price where they will put the cold hard cash in your hand NOT the one that says ohhhhhhhhhhhhh its worth thousands but I dont want to buy it at the moment.
by mdw
15 Jan 2013, 19:12
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: What to buy - Steinway Essex 123 or Yamaha U1?
Replies: 3
Views: 8068

Re: What to buy - Steinway Essex 123 or Yamaha U1?

I think the Essex is made for Steinway by Young Chang AFAIK. Dont be swayed by names pick the one you or your daughter likes.
by mdw
21 Dec 2012, 21:40
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: need expert opinion on this Bechstein
Replies: 3
Views: 5458

Re: need expert opinion on this Bechstein

Get your local tuner to check it over £40-£60. Then you know what it problems are and they will give you some idea of price.
by mdw
17 Dec 2012, 18:39
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Buying a 2nd Hand Piano
Replies: 12
Views: 12882

Re: Buying a 2nd Hand Piano

Go to, speak to and buy from your local piano shop as you really need to try the piano yourself. If you get the right one it will be with you long term. There are pianos at all sorts of budgets so set you limit and get the best one you can at that price. There will always be one better right up to £...
by mdw
10 Dec 2012, 22:08
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Buying a piano
Replies: 6
Views: 9004

Re: Buying a piano

[quote="ivorynovice Kemble themselves are doing a special deal to reduce their European stock. [/quote] Sounds like sales talk to me but i decided to stop being a Kemble dealer a year ago so I dont know :D ....................or care. They are still a good piano I just dont like the Yamaha way ...
by mdw
07 Dec 2012, 22:17
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Buying a piano
Replies: 6
Views: 9004

Re: Buying a piano

My guess is the Kemble dealer is going bust or dumping the Kemble stock as the price you have been offered is what it cost the dealer so there is no margin in it for them. So on the basis of a worn out Yam that needed to be refurbished at 20 yrs old or a new Kemble at trade cost I know what I would ...
by mdw
16 Nov 2012, 17:16
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Steinmeyer vs Steinmayer
Replies: 6
Views: 13895

Re: Steinmeyer vs Steinmayer

Quite a few Yamaha are pretty duff after 20 years as well, mainly the small ones.
by mdw
09 Nov 2012, 22:14
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: some thoughts on phoenix/steingraeber-phoniex pianos
Replies: 26
Views: 32850

Re: some thoughts on phoenix/steingraeber-phoniex pianos

The dealer will be using the margin scheme. When you sell 2nd hand goods you only charge vat on the margin you make on the piano. I dont think the customer can claim back any vat on this if they are also trade. I seem to remember signing invoices to say I wont try to reclaim any vat on items under t...
by mdw
07 Nov 2012, 11:32
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Sticker removal
Replies: 2
Views: 4611

Re: Sticker removal

Peel it off then use meths or cellulose on a clean cloth to get the glue off. Or wait until its tuned then the tuner can take the pannel off and you can do it with a little more space around it.
by mdw
24 Oct 2012, 18:07
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Access
Replies: 8
Views: 11803

Re: Access

I say go for it , make sure you have put by £150-£200 to cover the cost of a tuner sorting it out once you have had a go ( plus a bit more for broken strings) and have fun. :lol:
by mdw
15 Oct 2012, 16:33
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Best Value Upright Piano?
Replies: 10
Views: 16488

Re: Best Value Upright Piano?

Your best VFM would be a good 4-5 year old 120+cm upright from good maker that someone else has taken a hit on as the first owner. Not some knackered import but a one owner piano thats had little use , has just settled in nicley and is ready for the next 50 years of life. They are out there you just...
by mdw
28 Sep 2012, 09:06
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: John Broadwood Piano
Replies: 3
Views: 5766

Re: John Broadwood Piano

Ivory will be a creamy white with a hair line join accross the keys leval with the front of the sharps/flats. They are probably plastics.
by mdw
26 Sep 2012, 21:06
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: I need help with an old piano :)
Replies: 1
Views: 2841

Re: I need help with an old piano :)

Your quickest and easiest route is bung it on ebay starting at £1, at least you know it will go.
by mdw
17 Jul 2012, 20:43
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: In Need of Guidance
Replies: 3
Views: 4810

Re: In Need of Guidance

If you are grade 7 I think you really need £2500 to £3500 minimum. At £500 or £1500 you are not going to get a piano that will do the job you need.
by mdw
13 Jul 2012, 07:38
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: YUS1 Unstable Pitch
Replies: 13
Views: 18775

Re: YUS1 Unstable Pitch

Also remember start of the year was no rain for 3 months and heating on then it seems to have been raining non stop since. Sticky notes and everything sharp here and I am not too supprised.
Having saids that if thats the way they keep it then digi is probably the way to go.
by mdw
11 Jul 2012, 20:15
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Why POA?
Replies: 7
Views: 10514

Re: Why POA?

They need the free showrooms. In my area of the country you have to travel atleast 30-40 miles as the crow flies in any direction to find any one with Yamaha stock digital or acoustic. Ive just dropped Kemble as they are too expensive and no longer have the Buy British bit that helped. Just another ...
by mdw
04 Jul 2012, 07:03
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Self-tuning piano
Replies: 4
Views: 6470

Re: Self-tuning piano

There is a vidoe from a link on here some time back of that. It showed itworking. It tuned every time you turned it on by heating up the strings via the wrest pin. Clever idea but dont think it has any legs.
by mdw
29 Jun 2012, 11:20
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Why POA?
Replies: 7
Views: 10514

Re: Why POA?

Yamaha have a few dealers who price slash to crazy levels which upsets the other dealers. Now Yamaha need the other dealers to stock their product and act as a free showroom so you can try localy and then go and buy from the price slashers. So they tell all their dealers they dont want to see more t...
by mdw
12 Jun 2012, 16:44
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: 1892 Bechstein Upright
Replies: 6
Views: 9382

Re: 1892 Bechstein Upright

Trawl the new for a pic of the top door you want then take it to a cabnet maker/ french polisher.
by mdw
10 May 2012, 06:55
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Arsenic in felt
Replies: 4
Views: 7007

Re: Arsenic in felt

vernon wrote:This one is 1880s when I seem to have read that they used arsenic for the green in wallpaper.
Isnt that what they think killed Napoleon on St Helena.

Ive tuned a piano which had a sign saying TREATED WITH DDT.
by mdw
10 Apr 2012, 22:40
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: six foot grand options
Replies: 22
Views: 28618

Re: six foot grand options

Maybe one question you could consider asking yourself is which one you would buy if they were the same price? If you aren't sure maybe you need to go back and play them some more? Robert Thats proably a wise way of doing it. The fantasy massive discount is always a bit dubious when theres only one ...
by mdw
09 Apr 2012, 22:18
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: six foot grand options
Replies: 22
Views: 28618

Re: six foot grand options

Im sure you would get the lowest price that way, not sure about the best deal.
by mdw
04 Apr 2012, 22:12
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: A new or used piano up to £3k
Replies: 42
Views: 45848

Re: A new or used piano up to £3k

If they are a local dealer see if they can bring the 126 out to you for the cost of a extra move. I am happy to take 2 out at the same time as long as the customer is having one ( or pays for the move) . If the Yam is 2nd hand then it wont make any difference to the value if it goes back to the deal...