Search found 1689 matches

by PianoGuy
09 Jul 2010, 12:17
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Secondhand Yamaha U3 versus New
Replies: 37
Views: 52732

Re: Secondhand Yamaha U3 versus New

For what it's worth, I've tuned two supplied by Mr Goodwin, and found both to be as good as he claims in his (IMHO) dreadfully tacky and slightly biased website. I wonder if he has taken a few video tips from our favourite eBayer. Casework was top-notch, pianos were internally clean and as should be...
by PianoGuy
08 Nov 2009, 13:59
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Help identifying piano
Replies: 4
Views: 7076

Re: Help identifying piano

One of the divisions of Cable & Co in the USA built a Midget Grand, but whether yours is one of these I couldn't tell.
by PianoGuy
07 Nov 2009, 14:16
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Harrods Piano Department
Replies: 9
Views: 17169

Re: Harrods Piano Department

Quite right A440. I detest poor grammar, but I'll make allowances if it's not the person's native tongue. Mr Fayed is from Egypt, I think.
by PianoGuy
07 Nov 2009, 11:27
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Harrods Piano Department
Replies: 9
Views: 17169

Re: Harrods Piano Department

emark wrote:I was there this evening and they have some great piano's from .... and Petrof.
Now that *is* news. A great piano from Petrof. Whatever next?
by PianoGuy
07 Nov 2009, 11:26
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Harrods Piano Department
Replies: 9
Views: 17169

Re: Harrods Piano Department

Well thank you emark for letting us in to this bit of intelligence. So comprehensive one might even imagine you're working for that fugger Fayed himself.
by PianoGuy
01 Nov 2009, 21:34
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Piano Life Saver & manufacturers warranty
Replies: 42
Views: 37991

Re: Piano Life Saver & manufacturers warranty

AFAI know in the UK (and probably the rest of the EC) it is perfectly legal for a consumer to change an electrical plug and cut off a moulded item to do so if necessary, but any tradesman doing so must be qualified with the relevant qualifications.
by PianoGuy
31 Oct 2009, 18:52
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Piano Life Saver & manufacturers warranty
Replies: 42
Views: 37991

Re: Piano Life Saver & manufacturers warranty

crispin wrote: and he cut off the molded plug so that the hole was as small as possible.
Interesting.

Qualified electrician with indemnity insurance is he?
by PianoGuy
19 Oct 2009, 20:58
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Stronghold Iron Frames
Replies: 6
Views: 9358

Re: Stronghold Iron Frames

There are loads still around.

The secret is to lift the pin slightly so the grip is released, and the pin moves nice and smoothly. since the pins all have a distinctly raised attitude to start with, a Blüthner lever with a good angled head helps.
by PianoGuy
10 Oct 2009, 14:36
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Advice on Kawai upright TP 125 S
Replies: 4
Views: 9675

Re: Advice on Kawai upright TP 125 S

kath135 wrote:I do know that the piano was purchased a year ago from a reputable dealer for £3,000
Reputable maybe, but well versed in the money/old rope transaction by the looks of it.
by PianoGuy
10 Oct 2009, 08:28
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Advice on Kawai upright TP 125 S
Replies: 4
Views: 9675

Re: Advice on Kawai upright TP 125 S

Another case of Kawai's model numbering being so bewildering even their own reps often have no idea about older models. The KS-2F wasn't a bad piano, but look carefully and you'll discover just how much of that shiny black case is made of plastic. The casework rigidity on older Kawais is poor and of...
by PianoGuy
04 Oct 2009, 20:55
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Baby Grand investment?
Replies: 11
Views: 16374

Re: Baby Grand investment?

Ipayne117 wrote:We have had a look at some piano's today and have taken a shine to a baby grand made by Lippmann.
Not an axe?
by PianoGuy
04 Oct 2009, 07:42
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Overstrung v oblique strung
Replies: 4
Views: 8332

Re: Overstrung v oblique strung

I would be very wary of any elderly Bechstein unless it's been expertly restored with a new wrestplank. The wrestplank design of these old models is flawed, with a concentration of pins around the frame break (the bit separating the covered strings and the steels) and a parallel arrangement in the b...
by PianoGuy
01 Oct 2009, 21:45
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Bentley 'Superb' piano
Replies: 6
Views: 10656

Re: Bentley 'Superb' piano

Do you actually know for a fact that is the date it left the factory? I understand it to be the date the keys were completed, in the action makers' factory. Yes, but only with Bentleys. The tuner dated them as he signed them off. In the case of this Bentley, the keys would have been made in-house a...
by PianoGuy
01 Oct 2009, 07:19
Forum: Piano History
Topic: Bentley 'Superb' piano
Replies: 6
Views: 10656

Re: Bentley 'Superb' piano

Hi, I have a Bentley Superb piano trade mark number 571097. I need to know the value and year of manufacturing. Thank you very much To the best of my knowledge that Bentley model name was used for export only and most went to Scandinavia. If you're feeling brave, take off the top door ( there are t...
by PianoGuy
28 Sep 2009, 20:14
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Question about piano maintenance - am I being ripped off?
Replies: 13
Views: 17320

Re: Question about piano maintenance - am I being ripped off?

Spinball wrote: There you go - this illustrates my lack of basic knowledge about pianos.
Cars too. Spark plugs have nothing to do with timing, and gators live in swamps.
by PianoGuy
26 Sep 2009, 07:12
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Question about piano maintenance - am I being ripped off?
Replies: 13
Views: 17320

Re: Question about piano maintenance - am I being ripped off?

Depends how well he does it. The tuning charge is reasonable, and you'd expect a member of the Piano Tuners' association to have at least a good basic knowledge of what he's doing, but in all honestly it's no absolute guarantee. The PTA examination covers tuning and simple upright repairs, not any f...
by PianoGuy
22 Sep 2009, 19:44
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Some help needed for an ignoramus
Replies: 16
Views: 18204

Re: Some help needed for an ignoramus

A pro pianist and teacher in town has a Broadwood Grand piano, Collard boudoir Grand, Kawai upright, Victorian Cottage upright, Regency square piano, Clavinova and Roland keyboard. Maybe you think that's a bit excessive but that's what she reckons she needs! Blimey. There are at least two of those ...
by PianoGuy
20 Sep 2009, 08:36
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: PIano Life Saver
Replies: 19
Views: 21224

Re: PIano Life Saver

My daughter in law from Japan who lives here in the Highlands has a fantastic heated Japanese bog seat with :oops: wiper and heated jets to warm all your cockles. I'm looking at possibilties for piano stools) forgive the pun( It's called a Warmlet. http://farm1.static.flickr.com/12/15613712_9dcefc3...
by PianoGuy
06 Sep 2009, 10:45
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Scrap it or Restore it?
Replies: 3
Views: 7501

Re: Scrap it or Restore it?

Get it checked out first.

Value in actual cash aside, '20s Chappells can be extraordinarily good, although this one sounds as if it could be a bit too far gone.
by PianoGuy
03 Sep 2009, 12:19
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: kawai ks-2f, yamaha u1 or wendl & lung
Replies: 12
Views: 21396

Re: kawai ks-2f, yamaha u1 or wendl & lung

Wendl 122 - nice piano but certainly not my favourite! Structurally solid with a metal keybed for a more stable keyboard and action foundation. Case parts are as thick and as heavy as on the U1 and B3, glued and screwed where necessary - as I said in my first post, good dealer prepping is vital to ...
by PianoGuy
03 Sep 2009, 07:40
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: kawai ks-2f, yamaha u1 or wendl & lung
Replies: 12
Views: 21396

Re: kawai ks-2f, yamaha u1 or wendl & lung

Taller is better and will not necessarily disturb the neighbours more than a small piano. Rubber based castor cups are a good sound insulator as a large amount of the sound is transferred through the floor and walls to your neighbour, rather than through the air. Absolutely. The Wendl 122cm is good...
by PianoGuy
02 Sep 2009, 08:38
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: kawai ks-2f, yamaha u1 or wendl & lung
Replies: 12
Views: 21396

Re: kawai ks-2f, yamaha u1 or wendl & lung

Would stay way from the "grey imports"and Chinese pianos,should be able to get better deal on new Yamaha or Kawai k15 keep to the brands that are new and offer manufacturers warranties,better quality and better residuals if ever looking to upgrade. What utter rubbish. The "grey impor...
by PianoGuy
31 Aug 2009, 12:15
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: diapason and yamaha u2
Replies: 14
Views: 26709

Re: diapason and yamaha u2

What about "Pruthner" ?

A bit of near passing -off by the Toyo Piano Co, AFAI recall...
by PianoGuy
28 Aug 2009, 19:19
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: diapason and yamaha u2
Replies: 14
Views: 26709

Re: diapason and yamaha u2

Ma. Cecilia is from the Philippines and always posts like that. We're kinda used to it!

:-)
by PianoGuy
28 Aug 2009, 07:53
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: What is a 'Spring and Loop' action?
Replies: 6
Views: 10249

Re: What is a 'Spring and Lopp' action?

vernon wrote:upright spring and loops(Costas) are to be avoided at all costs,literally.
I dunno? They're infinitely better than Starbucks, but not a patch on a decent Lavazza or Illy admittedly.
by PianoGuy
28 Aug 2009, 07:42
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: upright yamaha u1 or kawai ku-2b
Replies: 2
Views: 6483

Re: upright yamaha u1 or kawai ku-2b

They are both rather old, but on balance I'd go for the Yamaha. Older Kawais can be very uninspiring pianos. Rosewood is a type of mahogany finish, the Japanese version of which is simply a mahogany veneer with a red coloured tint. Yamaha always described the colour as 'mahogany' though. U1 models i...
by PianoGuy
23 Aug 2009, 08:38
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Steinway model O or B?
Replies: 17
Views: 23740

Re: Steinway model O or B?

Model V wrote:All other German pianos will depreciate like a Rover 75.

I love those! A real British car in spite of BMW design input!
by PianoGuy
22 Aug 2009, 17:32
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Steinway model O or B?
Replies: 17
Views: 23740

Re: Steinway model O or B?

I'd agree with the A being no great improvement over the O. I prefer the O in fact. The B is a wonderful instrument and a massive improvement. As a point of interest have you tried a Yamaha S6? Many players find they're a real B alternative, although I am witnessing a bit of premature action wear in...
by PianoGuy
21 Aug 2009, 20:25
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Steinway model O or B?
Replies: 17
Views: 23740

Re: Steinway model O or B?

No.

Buy.
by PianoGuy
17 Aug 2009, 21:35
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Suitable digital piano for silent practice
Replies: 5
Views: 9973

Re: Does silent system compromise upright action?

Would suggest a Yamaha P series stage piano for portability and a hint of a residual value. If a domestic model is required, the cheapest option is one from the new Yamaha Arius range. Buying a Clavinova will give you an improvement in keyboard quality, and the best have wooden keys (naturals only) ...
by PianoGuy
17 Aug 2009, 08:17
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Does silent system compromise upright action?
Replies: 8
Views: 17792

Re: Does silent system compromise upright action?

I've also heard that Yamaha's system -- available in Yamaha, Kemble, and Schimmel (?) -- is so well designed (compared to others) that it hardly affects the action. Problem is that we don't like Yamaha or Kemble, and it is very unlikely we'll find a Schimmel with a silent system to try. Finally, I'...
by PianoGuy
15 Aug 2009, 23:55
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Mid 1800s Kirkman Piano-How much should I sell for?
Replies: 5
Views: 12979

Re: Mid 1800s Kirkman Piano-How much should I sell for?

Sad but true.

There pianos have no following in the piano trade whatsoever, but occasionally people rescue them from destruction by giving them a home. Ask Bill Kibby in the "History" section for advice.

I'll make you an offer for the Chevy though.
by PianoGuy
09 Aug 2009, 19:55
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Knight K10
Replies: 15
Views: 19227

Re: Knight K10

Peter Smith Pianos wrote:the best british upright piano ever built,after 1983 junk.
The Danemann HS2 beats it in every respect, and unlike a '70s Knight is a pleasure to tune.
by PianoGuy
09 Aug 2009, 19:23
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Knight K10
Replies: 15
Views: 19227

Re: Knight K10

812773 was the British Patent Number for Alfie Knight's barless frame design, not the serial number which will be stamped on the soundboard in the bottom right-hand quarter. You'll need to take the bottom door off the piano.
by PianoGuy
03 Aug 2009, 22:20
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Haynes Piano Manual
Replies: 5
Views: 9595

Re: Haynes Piano Manual

As a good read and to further one's knowledge about the piano the Haynes Manual is really not bad, although I would be very cautious about anybody using one to service a piano. Especially one owned by somebody else. Piano technicians are not born, they are educated, and that takes a lot of tuition a...
by PianoGuy
01 Aug 2009, 13:38
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Help needed please!
Replies: 42
Views: 40111

Re: Help needed please!

PG I'm glad too you have made a return to the forum bw Vernon I’m glad too that Piano Guy has put in a brief re-appearance. Proof that you still check-in on the forum. If my posts have offended in the past I apologize, and will endeavor to stay strictly on-topic. So welcome back PG, and look forwar...
by PianoGuy
31 Jul 2009, 21:11
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Ebay...He's at it again!
Replies: 11
Views: 16413

Re: Ebay...He's at it again!

Thought I'd come out of retirement to post a few.

This for starters. By all accounts, we're not the only forum to pick up on Mr Rayman...
by PianoGuy
26 Jul 2009, 11:07
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Help needed please!
Replies: 42
Views: 40111

Re: Help needed please!

Blimey!

This is the exact kind of shoite which has persuaded me to give the forum a wide berth for a while!!

It's like something from a Marty Feldman sketch!

PGx

Be seeing you!! ;-)
by PianoGuy
30 May 2009, 00:34
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Should traders be allowed to use an alias?
Replies: 14
Views: 19950

Re: A-Frame for school C3

'Bye then.
by PianoGuy
29 May 2009, 08:02
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Should traders be allowed to use an alias?
Replies: 14
Views: 19950

Re: A-Frame for school C3

Have to agree with Longbow, old boy!

Rules is rules, and them's the rules!! ;-)
by PianoGuy
26 May 2009, 12:33
Forum: Piano History
Topic: American-Made Uprights
Replies: 2
Views: 4683

Re: American-Made Uprights

I can't think of any good American uprights post 1960 apart from the odd Steinway.
by PianoGuy
26 May 2009, 12:10
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kawai GM 10
Replies: 21
Views: 26440

Re: Kawai GM 10

joe wrote:,regarding pricing the ticket price as been reduced from £8,499 to £7k so its open territory.
I took this to mean that Kawai have reduced the list price.
by PianoGuy
26 May 2009, 10:06
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kawai GM 10
Replies: 21
Views: 26440

Re: Kawai GM 10

Am I wrong in presuming that if I like one Kawai GM 10 I will like all of them then as they will be similar? I might have to wait for 6-12 months to get the rest of the money together and doubt whether that particualr piano will still be for sale! All pianos differ slightly, but there is less varia...
by PianoGuy
25 May 2009, 20:54
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Problems with tuning
Replies: 59
Views: 50318

Re: Problems with tuning

Spammer alert!
by PianoGuy
25 May 2009, 14:29
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kawai GM 10
Replies: 21
Views: 26440

Re: Kawai GM 10

joe wrote:Is £6k not even better value for money or am i missing something?
Yes you are. Read carefully and see if you can work it out.
by PianoGuy
24 May 2009, 18:13
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kawai GM 10
Replies: 21
Views: 26440

Re: Kawai GM 10

£7k list for a new GM10 is seriously good vfm. Good to see that Kawai are keeping the price of their Indonesian built pianos sensible as opposed to Yam who are pricing them as though they were affected by the strong ¥.
by PianoGuy
24 May 2009, 15:52
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kawai GM 10
Replies: 21
Views: 26440

Re: Kawai GM 10

Yes, it's always best to buy locally if you can and you find the right piano. I must say I'm surprised that Kawai dealers are starting to discount products, since Kawai UK don't like the practice.
by PianoGuy
24 May 2009, 11:10
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kawai GM 10
Replies: 21
Views: 26440

Re: Kawai GM 10

If you like it then it's a good price, but it's a very basic Kawai, and the RX series is so much better in every way. It's a Kawai grand for those who can only just afford it, and build quality has a few compromises. I find them less accurate to tune than more sophisticated Kawais, but your own tune...
by PianoGuy
22 May 2009, 07:42
Forum: Idle Chitchat
Topic: Should traders be allowed to use an alias?
Replies: 14
Views: 19950

Re: A-Frame for school C3

Pianoworld forum USA has a condition, that any trade body has to identifty themselves as to exactly who they are, ie no avatars. Why doesn't UK piano forum follow their example with the same degree of strictness?? I don't know *why* Chris, but the forum rules when I joined stated that posters may p...
by PianoGuy
21 May 2009, 23:07
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Problems with tuning
Replies: 59
Views: 50318

Re: Problems with tuning

It's feasible that it's causing a bit of extra friction along the dead-length of the string and adding to the settling-in period, but if you examine many grands, the strings run through the agraffes and up to the wrestpins across strips of bearing cloth for far greater distances and with greater pre...