Buying a piano: is this a good price

General discussion about piano makes, problems with pianos, or just seeking advice.

Moderators: Feg, Gill the Piano, Melodytune

Post Reply
MrsDebris
New Member
New Member
Posts: 1
Joined: 04 Mar 2016, 00:20

Buying a piano: is this a good price

Post by MrsDebris »

I’m new to the forum and about to buy my first acoustic piano. I currently have a Clavinova. There are two local dealers in my area one selling Yamaha and Kawai the other selling Feurich and Essex and Yamaha.

Between the Yamaha and Kawai, I preferred the feel and tone of the Kawai. They didn’t have the full range however; only a K200 and a K600. They also had one K6, which I liked and the price was £6600. Is that a good deal? It included delivery, first tune and stool. I think the Kawai had a 10 year guarantee also, but wasn't sure if that just applied to the newer models.

I wondered about the Essex and Feurich makes?

Any advice would be much appreciated as I feel as green as grass about prices.
vernon
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 914
Joined: 12 Mar 2008, 10:29
Location: N.E.Scotland
Contact:

Re: Buying a piano: is this a good price

Post by vernon »

These are all quality instruments and tested by time.
Follow your heart and choose the one that suits you best. Touch ,tone, looks,cost. .etc.You are the final arbiter and you will be hapy ever after.
Our mission in life is to tune customers--not pianos.

Any fool can make a piano-- it needs a tuner to put the music in it

www.lochnesspianos.co.uk
User avatar
Colin Nicholson
Executive Poster
Executive Poster
Posts: 1704
Joined: 04 Jul 2010, 19:15
Location: Morpeth, Northumberland
Contact:

Re: Buying a piano: is this a good price

Post by Colin Nicholson »

Kawai & Yamaha would be my choice. Their names almost blend together as though they belonged to each other in the piano world. Other makes are also good, but in years to come - if selling - the former names are more recognised and often require no selling skills.... names speak for themselves. 10 year guarantee will only be for brand new models, not 2nd hand.

The price for the K6 sounds about right.... Kawai themselves usually provide the retailer with the correct selling price for their margin.... its then up to them "how they sell" in terms of delivery/ after delivery tuning & stool.... so that all sounds good. The K6 is one of the professional versions, all strings have agraffes / carbon fibre action / front acoustic ports and soft fallboard mechanism..... and of course a cracking good bass sound.

I myself have the K5.... slightly cheaper (just over £5K).... I bought it new in 2013, teach on it, and no complaints. No agraffes - but with regular tuning - makes little difference.

The first 12 months of any new piano will require about 3 or 4 tunings because of the new strings - require little toning of hammers. Also recommended to fit a Hydroceel humidifier tube (optional) to stabilise tuning better, and keep all new parts in good condition - purchased separately through your retailer or tuner.

My K5 was first tuned about 3-4 times in year 1, twice in year 2.... and apart from the odd unison, only ONE string went out of tune between April 2015 and now. I also clean, service and check everything regularly. Keeping the dust off polyester finishes is a constant battle and kids finger marks! .... (and the occasional sneezes) ...... but the action, pedals are very responsive and the piano produces just right tone I need. So the final part is down to you.... personal taste / quality of the bass etc.

Colin
AA Piano Tuners UK

Colin Nicholson Dip. Mus. CMIT CLCM PTLLS
Piano tuning & repairs. Full UK restoration service
http://www.aatuners.com
Tuition ~ Accompaniment ~ Weddings
http://www.pianotime1964.com
Member of The Guild of Master Craftsmen
Post Reply