Search found 39 matches

by Jazzer
27 Aug 2009, 10:24
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha to close down Bosendorfer?
Replies: 33
Views: 31162

Re: Yamaha to close down Bosendorfer?

This really is very sad.
by Jazzer
29 Jun 2009, 19:17
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Software pianos
Replies: 3
Views: 8091

Re: Software pianos

I don't know whether pianoteq would work with strings and other voices (they're not much use to me - I just need a good piano sound!) but I will certainly try when next I get a go on my friend's set-up. My next gig with the Roland is some five or so weeks away, unless more bookings come my way, so I...
by Jazzer
28 Jun 2009, 18:01
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Software pianos
Replies: 3
Views: 8091

Re: Software pianos

I have a friend who is playing with http://www.pianoteq.com/ and I was extremely impressed. In fact, for some time I have been considering replacing my rather aged travel instrument (Roland RD-150) but am currently wondering about trying this "upgrade" on the Roland instead. It would mean ...
by Jazzer
09 May 2009, 15:20
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Yamaha P-155 coming out for release soon
Replies: 2
Views: 8503

Yamaha P-155 coming out for release soon

I am in the market for buying something to replace my faithful travel-piano - the Roland RD-150. I've been thinking of the RD-700. How would the new Yamaha compare?
by Jazzer
15 Apr 2009, 23:22
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kemble
Replies: 57
Views: 52282

Re: Kemble

This really is very sad.
by Jazzer
22 Jun 2008, 13:07
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Recording pianos
Replies: 9
Views: 13437

I use a Zoom H2 Handy recorder for my GCSE and A-Level recording and I find the quality to be extremely good. I've still got the usual pair of mics in the cupboard as a standby but quite honestly the H2 does at least as good a job with a fraction of the hassle I agree! I use a Zoom H4 and I think t...
by Jazzer
22 Jun 2008, 13:00
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Help with choices - Yamaha tone
Replies: 30
Views: 27943

Yes, indeed: I would say that they are generally bright. But I love that! On Friday I played a second-hand Steinway B in Steinway Hall, and I preferred my C7! And one of the model Ds had been voiced down, and I may even have preferred my C7 to that one...!
by Jazzer
22 Jun 2008, 12:57
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Fazioli
Replies: 20
Views: 23377

Is there a Fazioli dealer in London? I seem to have a dim memory of one near the Wigmore Hall....
by Jazzer
22 Jun 2008, 12:55
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha C7 v Kawai RX-7
Replies: 7
Views: 13144

Interesting: thanks!
by Jazzer
26 May 2008, 19:56
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Help with choices - Yamaha tone
Replies: 30
Views: 27943

We all have to make compromises in life and lets face it unless you are loaded and can afford the Steinway the Yam is a good compromise.
Very good, especially when a tech has worked on it... :lol:
by Jazzer
25 May 2008, 10:53
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Fazioli
Replies: 20
Views: 23377

middle pedal is near useless as far as I can see. Worst is that you have to remember to use it after the relevant note, or it won't work. Since one is normally too busy thinking about the next note(s), its all just too complicated.
Absolutely!
by Jazzer
25 May 2008, 10:50
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Help with choices - Yamaha tone
Replies: 30
Views: 27943

I have a very thick rug underneath the C7 at the moment, and lots of furnishings in the room, but it's still "bright": much rather bright, as far as I am concerned, than muffled. But I have read posts elsewhere raving about C7s (and other Yammies) which have been toned down...
by Jazzer
25 May 2008, 10:48
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Used Schimmel Grand
Replies: 9
Views: 13304

Schimmel = great instruments. Just got to know a grand recently (can't remember which model, sorry) and was very impressed. I am an owner of an old upright which has survived the years (and heavy playing) well, but this grand was in another league...
by Jazzer
25 May 2008, 10:45
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha C7 v Kawai RX-7
Replies: 7
Views: 13144

I already have a C7 so there's no going back on that for a while! I'm very struck by comments about Kawai's action, though, which to my technique seems heavier than the C7. Why is it (Millenium) reckoned to be "better"?
by Jazzer
24 May 2008, 20:30
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Help with choices - Yamaha tone
Replies: 30
Views: 27943

The thing about toning down Yamahas, as I have found, is that it needs to be done incredibly gradually and with lots of consultation. I recently played a C6 which everyone was very excited about because it was mellow, but I found that I couldn't make it sound exciting at all ... it was just mellow t...
by Jazzer
02 May 2008, 20:04
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha C7 v Kawai RX-7
Replies: 7
Views: 13144

Yamaha C7 v Kawai RX-7

Wow! Played a brand new RX-7 today and thought it was an incredible instrument. In fact, it made me wonder whether the C7 - long my favourite if the budget doesn't stretch to Steinways and Bosies - has a serious rival here.

What do others think?
by Jazzer
27 Apr 2008, 22:42
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Kawai GS40
Replies: 4
Views: 7742

This is an old thread, I know, but a friend has been offered one for £4000 and wanted my advice. I enjoyed a GS-30 which I played recently, but found the GS-40 in question to be very much as PianoGuy describes. My hunch is not to go for it, but what do others think?
by Jazzer
07 Sep 2007, 22:57
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Schimmel vs Yamaha
Replies: 7
Views: 22780

I have a Schimmel upright and a Yamaha grand. I love them both. I've always thought that the Schimmel grands are a little overpriced and I honestly think that my Yamaha C7 (which was my choice, over an S6, as an alternative to the Steinway B which I can't afford) sounds fantastic. I agree with Piano...
by Jazzer
11 Aug 2007, 18:13
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Looking for a stage piano
Replies: 4
Views: 11595

The CP300 is indeed fanastic. There was one set up through Yamaha's own amp & speakers in the Wardour Street "Chappells of Bond Street" last week, and I was amazed how good it sounded (and felt). I think there's a Sale at Chappells until the middle of the month, so it may be worth a te...
by Jazzer
08 Aug 2007, 11:12
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha YU1
Replies: 3
Views: 7807

Is the YUS1 "new" or another variant?
by Jazzer
17 Jul 2007, 23:23
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha A1L
Replies: 10
Views: 13684

How do you find such a tuner? The ones I know are unwilling to do anything other than tune.
by Jazzer
17 Jul 2007, 23:21
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Roland RD-150 didn't like white wine
Replies: 2
Views: 8111

Thanks: I'll try what you suggest.
by Jazzer
05 Jul 2007, 15:58
Forum: Digital Pianos
Topic: Roland RD-150 didn't like white wine
Replies: 2
Views: 8111

Roland RD-150 didn't like white wine

Whilst playing a gig last night, on my trusty Roland RD-150, someone helpfully gave a me a glass of white wine. She put it on the keyboard (ugh!) just above low C (two octaves below middle C) and, before I could do anything about it, the wine spilt. Now the A below the C, and the B flat and B are ei...
by Jazzer
10 Jun 2007, 12:59
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Yamaha v Kawai
Replies: 4
Views: 7791

Ina previous job I regularly played a C3 in the same small recital room as an RX-3. My preference was for the RX-3 as the Yammie seemed too bright by comparison. For a while I then thought that I preferred Kawais to Yamahas, but I have since then discovered some extremely enjoyable C3s - and some sl...
by Jazzer
06 Jun 2007, 22:58
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: A good technician can make any piano sound like any other
Replies: 5
Views: 9493

Seeing as Yamaha frame and action designs closely ape those of Steinway, this is hardly surprising! ...Yamaha decided to go ahead and design Steinway-beaters themselves. With the CF111S, they've all but succeeded. OK, so there's more chance of making a Yammie sound like a Steinway than making vario...
by Jazzer
05 Jun 2007, 22:49
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: A good technician can make any piano sound like any other
Replies: 5
Views: 9493

A good technician can make any piano sound like any other

"I am one of those people who believes that you can get any piano to sound like any other if you have a good technician," said Freddie Kempf in an interview when he was asked why he recorded his [excellent] Rachmaninov CD on a Yamaha. (He also said, "it was the best instrument that we...
by Jazzer
05 Jun 2007, 22:35
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Good word to say about Weinbachs?
Replies: 20
Views: 24415

Today I played a very nice Kemble upright - looked like a Yamaha P121 - which had a genuinely warm tone and yet also some Yamaha-like sparkle when I needed it. Sorry about that Openwood!

I have yet to play a Weinbach which I enjoyed in the same way....
by Jazzer
05 Jun 2007, 22:30
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Petrof grand piano
Replies: 13
Views: 19401

Re: Petrof grand piano

I have to say I was very impressed - it beat the Yams straight away, and at £13k I thought that wasn't bad. Since this thread started I've seen a number of Petrof grands (three, to be precise) and personally I thought that not one of them beat a Yammie (and certainly not a C3). There was ...
by Jazzer
02 Jun 2007, 22:40
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Petrof. Reliability?
Replies: 11
Views: 17226

Re: That has really helped.....

By the way I have to say that the newer Yam's I've played have been a lot warmer/smoother/deep as you point out Openwood. but I can't see myself with one (although it's probably good sense). What do you count as new Yamahas? Last few years or last few months? Not sure whether i have noticed this ch...
by Jazzer
30 May 2007, 23:07
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Petrof grand piano
Replies: 13
Views: 19401

I have experince of a Petrof grand. Same as others are saying, I'm afraid. It started quite well in 1992, and in fact lots of people enjoyed playing it. Lots of people enjoyed playing it more than the neighbouring Yamaha C3. But by 2007 things are very different. Its tonal qualities seem to have det...
by Jazzer
05 May 2007, 13:54
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Steingraeber 205
Replies: 3
Views: 6910

It would be great to see some pics of this new instrument (via a link, obviously) and a recording would be fabulous. I have no knowledge at all of these pianos, and clearly need to know more! I wonder what could be so ugly about its appearance...? Enjoy your new piano! My recent delivery of a Yamaha...
by Jazzer
28 Apr 2007, 15:15
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: New 6ft grand piano. Yamaha? Kawai?
Replies: 7
Views: 10489

I agree with Barrie completely. And I'm not surprised that you've fallen for a C3: my experience is that it is a great instrument. Interestingly, however, although there are lots of references elsewhere on this site to Yammies being consistent in their out-of-the-box condition I have come across one...
by Jazzer
20 Apr 2007, 23:30
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Spam spam spam spam
Replies: 27
Views: 23463

I think that would be a great idea - it's a real shame that this keeps happening. How about a few piano questions before membership is confirmed?
by Jazzer
05 Apr 2007, 16:48
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Schimmel uprights
Replies: 8
Views: 11437

... and I would definitely go for that C6 you have in mind. Hours of playing pleasure before you find your ultimate "B"!
by Jazzer
05 Apr 2007, 16:45
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Schimmel uprights
Replies: 8
Views: 11437

I think it's going to be a Yamaha YUS3 - a good upright, I reckon, with a clear sparkling tone and plenty of depth. No more of Schimmel, then! Thank you for comments and help. The C7 is absolutely superb, yes! I think I agree with your minor criticism of it. But I'm tempted to start a thread called ...
by Jazzer
05 Apr 2007, 11:36
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Schimmel uprights
Replies: 8
Views: 11437

1. There's a limit to how exciting any upright can be, whatever the manufacturers tell you. Yes, agreed, but you can find uprights which have a considerable element of excitement to them. I used to think that Schimmels had that extra spark (my old 118 still has a fair bit of it) but I'm off to look...
by Jazzer
04 Apr 2007, 17:12
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Schimmel uprights
Replies: 8
Views: 11437

This is helpful: thank you. I think, rather than wait until there's another Schimmel to try (or, indeed, travelling to play a selection of them), I am going to see what Yamaha can come up with. The U5, which I have at work, seems to have been rebadged or replaced by a rather more costly YUS5. In my ...
by Jazzer
03 Apr 2007, 22:13
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: Schimmel uprights
Replies: 8
Views: 11437

Schimmel uprights

Years ago, in the mid 1980s, my family bought a Schimmel 118T which has served me well and which I only recently replaced (actually I still have it) with a Yamaha grand with which I am absolutely thrilled. The Schimmel had a great action - it' still pretty good - and a depth of tone which beat many ...
by Jazzer
03 Apr 2007, 13:20
Forum: Piano Advice
Topic: These handcrafted Yamaha pianos
Replies: 2
Views: 4588

I have been very impressed by the S6, but no more so than the C7. I keep reading in these forums about the value of a great technician and wonder how much is down to that...? How do you set about find a good technician?! One famous recording artist recently said that he reckoned a good technician co...