Who owns a REAL piano? Tell us about it...

[eric]

This is a little bit off the beaten path, but I've had a new sort of GAS for the past few weeks. I have owned an ancient upright piano for a long while (1930's Cable Nelson) and it is not really much of an instrument, so I've been on the prowl to buy something better to replace it. It has been 15-20 years since I was exposed to a bonafide high quality "REAL" piano on a daily basis (my dad bought a 6'1" Kawai concert grand when I was in high school). Having a great acoustic piano to play daily makes a HUGE difference and I've decided that I want to do this for myself and my kids.

 

I've been playing piano primarily on my 88-note gig keyboards and it is not the same. I've spent the past 2 weeks going to different piano shops just about every day. I've played every piano out there in my area (Yamaha, Kawai, Schimmel, Bechstein, Bosendorfer, Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, Seiler, Petrof, Charles Walter, etc.). I've spent so much time playing real pianos that it actually caused my technique on my S90 to change a bit. I had a regular band gig earlier tonight and the S90 felt really lightweight and easy to play after a few weeks playing on some heavy-hitter pianos. As for the folks that claim the S90 action is "too heavy," I would beg to differ in comparison to real acoustic pianos.

 

I'm just scratching the surface on what is out there, but I would love to hear about other people's pianos. I'm going for a studio upright, because I have no room (or money) for a grand. I would love to have a high quality pro piano to play on a daily basis. I really think this would take things up a notch for me and my family.

 

Who owns a REAL piano? I would love to hear about it.

 

Regards,

Eric

[Keybass]

E,

 

I own a Blüthner model 2 and a Mason & Hamlin model A.

In the past I have owned Yamaha,Kawai,C.Bechstein and Steinway pianos.

 

The Blüthner is supreme above all others in my opinion. I sell and repair pianos as well. For a good upright I would check out Charles Walter or used a Yamaha. I like a piano with a wide tonal palette. I like a piano that can play soft and loud, warm and crystal clear. The Mason & Hamlin is rich and thick in it's texture I dig it too.

 

Owning a piano feels like a privilege but in reality has been a necessity for our household and everyone in it. I hope you find the instrument that works for you. Give me a buzz if you need any help.

 

Alex

[Mark Zeger]

We own a 1927 Steinway M (5'7"), purchased about 15 years ago. I had been searching for more than a year and played dozens of instruments in the process. I never thought I could find an affordable Steinway in good condition but found this piano in a classified ad in the NY Times. Though I bought it from a private seller in SE Connecticut, it belonged to the Yale Glee Club which sold it to finance the rebuild on their Steinway B. Just before I bought it, the piano had been completely rebuilt by A&C Pianocraft in NYC, a shop with a very strong reputation. So, our Steinway is in amazing condition inside and out. It still has all the ivory keytops which feel so much better than plastic. Tremendous bass for a small piano, too.

 

After I made the deal to buy the piano, I had to find a way to get it from CT to Rochester. I called a local piano mover here and, as luck would have it, the following week they were taking a Steinway M from Rochester to Boston and would have returned with an empty truck. They gave me a killer deal: $500 to ship from the seller to me. Good timing is everything.

 

I, too, looked at it as a good investment for my family. All my kids and my wife have taken piano lessons on it. New Steinway prices rise every year and carry upward the value of the used Steinways. I figured I'd always be able to get my money back out of a Steinway if it was necessary to sell, and that wouldn't be the case with buying a new piano. I can't imagine selling it.

 

BTW, Alex, the piano I almost bought was an old 6'1" Mason & Hamlin, originally made in Rochester. That was a great piano.

[kanker.]

edit - dbl post

[kanker.]

I have recently completed a search for a new upright, I looked at all of the brands you mentioned, and I ended up deciding on a Ritmuller UP120 R3. http://www.pearlriverpiano.com/eprp/ritmulleruprights.html In terms of price/performance, I think they are impossible to beat in a new piano. It is made in China, but the quality of piano coming out of China right now is higher than the general quality of uprights has been for a while. The sound is very full, the action is excellent, and the one I got looks hot as hell. As far as pricing goes, the Ritmuller is a little underpriced at the moment, so it's a very good buy, and as a result is a piano I expect to hold its value or even appreciate, which will make it easier for me to step up in the future when I have more money (and more room ). I have been playing the piano the better part of 30 years, and many of those were spent playing a very fine Baldwin grand (made back when Baldwin was still producing top notch pianos), and the Ritmuller has been a very satisfying purchase.

[SilverDragonSoun]

I own a real piano donated to our school. Its a Story-Clark and it's severly out of tune, has two keys which don't play, one key is stuck in the down position, the keybed action is terrible and it probably needs to be restringed. The cost to get it playing at a decent level is probably more than its worth. I'm debating what to do with it. I'm sure this is not what you wanted when you made this post but it is my experience with a real piano I own.

[Dave Horne]

I have owned two acoustic pianos, a six foot Yamaha grand and a full sized Yamaha (48") upright.

 

I was very happy with that upright. If you can afford it, go for even the larger (vertically taller) Yamaha uprights.

 

I always make it a point to mention two things when discussing acoustic pianos, consider renting with an option to buy. If you're not happy with the piano after a few months, you're just renting and you can easily swap it with another.

 

Also, Yamaha (at least in Europe) still markets the GranTouch series of pianos. Those pianos have a real upright or grand keyboard action, replete with hammers (though no strings), coupled to a first rate sample. If you live in an apartment or have neighbors close by, having a hybrid piano (real action, sampled sound) is an excellent alternative. You and your family can play at 2 AM using headphones or even hook the keyboard up to a module or a computer. Someone can practice the piano with headphones while the TV is on ... and so forth, the best of both worlds - acoustic and electronic.

 

Whatever you decide on, have fun with it. There's nothing like a new or used piano in the house.

[David R]

I have a Boston upright piano, I forget the model number and the height. Boston is a subsidiary of Steinway, and all their pianos (I've played Boston grands and uprights) have really nice tone. The action's a little bit light for me now because I'm so used to the Yamaha grands at school and clubs here, but it is good.

 

David

[ManInTheBox]

I've got an old Henry F. Miller spinet. I know it's not the most desirable piano, but it does it's job. I won't be doing any concerts or anything, but it gives the kids something to practice on, and keeps the family entertained during the Holidays.

 

It doesn't sound like a Bosendorfer, but the people who frequent my humble abode, don't know what a Bosendorfer sounds like. Heck, if it weren't for the Samples I've heard, I wouldn't know what a Bosendorfer sounds like.

[marino]

As a diehard pianist, I've always owned an acoustic piano. I really strived to fit a Yamaha G2 grand piano in my small apartment. I feel that if you are a serious pianist, an upright or vertical piano has too many limitations.

I had a piano technician design and install a mute in my G2, for when I need to practice in strange hours - it's a bit akward, but it works.

 

If money weren't an issue, I think I would own either a Bosendorfer or a Schimmel for home use, and a Steinway for recording. (I'm allowed to dream, right?)

Jokes aside, I have a thing for Schimmel grands. They sound warm and full, a real joy.

[kanker.]

Originally posted by marino:

I have a thing for Schimmel grands. They sound warm and full, a real joy.

I think that Schimmel's are pretty much heads above every other piano. The sound, the action - unreal. They are what other pianos want to be.

 

Steinways, those are great boat anchors if you ask me. Too inconsistent.

[Richard Lainhart]

I have an 1892 Steinway Model A, completely restored by Steinway in 2003-2004. It is not a boat anchor.

[Erlic]

Well when my piano was at my mom's house (my niece is now the proud owner of it since I couldn't get it into my home), it was a Baldwin Acrosonic Upright. The instrument was simply fantastic, and I had fun playing, and practicing it all the time. True, the feel is a bit different, but the tonal quality was simply superb!

 

Good luck in finding yourself a good sounding piano. I know there are many out there, and it's simply a matter of what sounds best to you, just like any other keyboard you would intend on purchasing. I had the same experience of people suggesting model "A" as opposed to model "B". I simply tried them out, and chose the one I personally thought sounded the best.

 

Damn I miss that piano. It was purchased in 1966, and to this date, after only four tunings, she's still in good shape. Damn, but they don't make them like they used to LOL.

[burningbusch]

I had a Steinway L but quickly upgraded to a B. Steinways, being hand built, are very inconsistent. I heard from someone who works on them (whether it's true or not I can't verify) that if one comes off the floor that's exceptional, it gets pulled for use as an artist series. I did play the artist series B in the Seattle inventory and it was by far the best Steinway I've ever played and sounded nothing like the ones on the showroom floor. I stuck a good deal of money into the B trying to get it to sound they way I thought it should--for that amount of money. I was't satisfied and sold it.

 

I found a very good deal on a Yamaha G2 MIDI Grand. In a house, pianos are loud. The sound permeates every room. Large grand pianos are designed to fill concert halls. The MIDI grand allows me to play either extremely quietly through speakers or through headphones. The Yamaha gets a lot more use than the Steinway did. I have four children and a WIFE. Practicing an instrument can be VERY ANNOYING to others in the household. Trust me on this one.

 

Busch.

[burningbusch]

Originally posted by eric:

I've spent the past 2 weeks going to different piano shops just about every day. I've played every piano out there in my area (Yamaha, Kawai, Schimmel, Bechstein, Bosendorfer, Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, Seiler, Petrof, Charles Walter, etc.). I've spent so much time playing real pianos that it actually caused my technique on my S90 to change a bit. I had a regular band gig earlier tonight and the S90 felt really lightweight and easy to play after a few weeks playing on some heavy-hitter pianos. As for the folks that claim the S90 action is "too heavy," I would beg to differ in comparison to real acoustic pianos.

 

Eric

I completely agree. After years of playing electronic weighted keyboards exclusively (specifically the Fatar action on the K2500X) my muscles had weakened so much that almost all acoustic pianos felt heavy and sluggish. The pedals also offer much more resistance.

 

If you're playing acoustic pianos on a regular basis you don't notice this, but people who think they're killer piano players just because they sound good on a P250 are fooling themselves.

 

Busch.

[wurly_dervish]

Could not agree more strongly with this.

[Dave Horne]

Regarding loud pianos, on both acoustic pianos I've owned, I dampened the sound in various ways to include softening the hammers using a solution of fabric softener and alcohol. You can really use your imagination and come up with many ways to quiet an acoustic piano.

 

I'm sure the brightness of the Yamaha's is a cultural thing. I was only to Japan once and I was amazed (from my perspective) at the gaudiness of the colors used in advertising. The same goes for their sense of sounds. I wouldn't be surprised if the factory patches on the first (Japanese) synths were overly bright by Western standards.

 

I will say one thing about Yamaha pianos, they are extremely consistent. I bought both pianos without playing the specific piano that was delivered; I just played the model in one store and ordered from another store with the better price.

[Mango.]

My family owns a 1927 Steinway.

[Stephen Fortner]

Though I haven't been lucky enough to own one, my favorite piano has got to be the Fazioli. I doubt it'd please everyone, especially those classical players who want darker tone and heavy action, but for me, I've never played anything that felt more like it was an extension of my body and musical thinking.

 

The difference between it and, say, a Bosendorfer, is exactly the stereotypical difference between a romantic Italian mentality and a more stalwart Teutonic one.

 

Gawddammit, I want a Fazioli.

[Tusker]

I have a five foot ten inch, 1927 Steinway Model L. We've loved the piano for twelve years. Recently we moved it across the country from Texas to Connecticut. I watched as a moving crew kicked off the legs, placed it on it's side and loaded it on the truck. At the other end, after the piano was set up, it was in tune.

 

The piano is ready for a (mostly cosmetic) refinish. It sounds lovely to my ears. I did a homebrew recording of it for the piano Keyboard Comp. But then I've always been partial to the Steinway sound.

 

When I was growing up, we had a Yamaha upright. It was one of those taller models, 53 inches or something. It was a very good practice piano, a little light on the action for Beethoven. But it sounded sweet. As a teenager, when I recorded it through some Boss chorus pedals, it sounded like Tony Banks' CP80. My prog rocking friends were blown away!

 

God luck with your search. Every piano is unique, and you will find one that speaks to you.

 

Jerry

[fisheye]

With limited money to spare, I bought a used Schiller for 350E and considering that, it's actually a fine piano; it has a fairly rich tone and everything works as it should. Not anything sophisticated of course.

 

To spare my neighbours, I practise a lot on my rhodes; playing the acoustic piano only about 20-30 minutes a day or so.

[fisheye]

Originally posted by eric:

I've spent the past 2 weeks going to different piano shops just about every day. I've played every piano out there in my area (Yamaha, Kawai, Schimmel, Bechstein, Bosendorfer, Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, Seiler, Petrof, Charles Walter, etc.).

I'd love to learn more on all the different brands that way, but the shops here don't like people coming only to play, not to buy. Being a young guy, they think I can't afford a grand (and they are right about that). It is frustating.

[LoFi]

Although it's at my mum's house (I've moved around a lot, and it's not really practical to bring it with me), I've got an Aeolian (no, I've never heard of them either) Pianola (think American's call it a Player Piano). It's pretty cool (though the keys don't move up and down like they do in old Westerns), but because the mechanical parts weigh so much (it takes 6 people to move it, instead of the usual 2 for a normal upright), they have to be very well built, so it's a great acoustic piano aside from all the gubbins.

 

Fairly out of tune at the minute, though, and the damping needs sorting.

[Hugo H]

I own a Kawai GS-40 grand. I purchased it new in 1989 and had a midi out interface installed at that time. It has a wonderfully precise action and the tone is superb. Some people tell me it takes a bit of force to play but I haven't noticed any considerable difference between it and, say, a Yamaha in terms of pressure.

 

On the other hand, playing it regularly makes every synth or electric piano feel like a toy

[Joe P]

I curently own a Kawai K-80 upright with which I am very pleased. Shiny black, bought from a local university clearance sale. Good sound, decent action and has a pedal mechanism that locks the damper for quiet practice.

 

I grew up playing a Wurlitzer Spinet with action so light that it made my transition to Hammond seamless!

 

It is a must for every keyboardist to have an acoustic. It helps with technique and positively affects the character of a household. Unlike electric keyboards, I think of the piano as being alive, always waiting and ready to be played. It's part of the family.

Regards,

Joe

[gangsu]

I too have been seduced by Fazioli. Just as some people wear their heart on their sleeve, this piano wears it's heart on it's every surface. To touch it is to love it. It is neither an aloof stranger or an ordinary joe in shiny clothes. I'm not sure whether the piano becomes the extension of the player or vice versa...

 

I've got a 42" Yamaha console, and wouldn't want a taller upright. The best feature is the fact that I can see over it. I've had it with pianos that necessarily face a wall. And blocking the soundboard makes absolutely no sense (to me). Recently I've read about the "compressed action" in consoles. The keys are the same length, but the other action parts are smaller in order to fit the case. In theory this causes faster wear and tear, plus a reduced key repetition time. Maybe I don't play fast enough to notice. When I replace it, hopefully in the next 2-3 years, it will be with a 5'6" - 6'3" grand. I'm specifically drawn to Estonia, but have yet to make the trip to NY to check them out firsthand.

 

I have a friend whose parents ordered 2 "identical" yamaha C3's from the same dealer at the same time, one to keep for themselves and one as a gift for her. She claims she got the better of the two, hands down. I believe that if you know yourself at all, no two pianos in the world will be identical.

[Tom Fiala]

Restored 1935 (IIRC) Steinway S.

(It ain't no boat anchor, that's for sure!)

 

I wish I had the room (and $) for a larger piano, but....

 

Having played Yamaha's, Kawai's, Bosendorfers... they all have their good points. This one (my Steinway) just "felt right" when I played it, and had the kind of tone I liked. As they say, YMMV.

[kanker.]

If any of you are looking for something extreme -

 

http://www.borgato.it/index_1024.htm

[Joe P]

Check these out:

 

http://www.schimmel-piano.de/e/pegasus.html

 

Regards,

Joe

[kanker.]

Originally posted by Joe P:

Check these out:

 

http://www.schimmel-piano.de/e/pegasus.html

 

Regards,

Joe

And only (around) a mere $180,000.