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Joined: Jul 2009
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hi,
I would like to seek some advice on buying a 2nd hand used yamaha u1 (around 30 year-old)imported from japan. Tone sounds alright to me but i am not too sure if the age matters(i.e. will the quality be compromised) Also, can someone let me know what to look out for when buying a used piano?
Any 2nd hand piano shop to recommend??
Thank you very much.
nil
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 932
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CYC,
to learn to play the piano, you can buy any of the above chioces. why not just buy a 2nd hand clavinova CLPs for just $500~800 to try out first? the digital sound 70% like a real piano, a beginner cant tell the difference. after a while when you are good a reading music and moving up the skill ladder, you can off load the digital or keep it. playing piano is very siong one leh, not buy first then automatic can play already ok... think about it lor, my 2 cents I agree with snoopy! If you are just learning for fun, a Clavinova is actually more fun because of the different sounds it can make. Later, if you decide to pursue classical music seriously, you can then switch to an acoustic piano. I have a grand piano, but still bought a high-end digital because of the effects and other capabilites, e.g. recording/MIDI/
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Bihua
so u're the wife ah..think i read yr diary blog and tot u're the husband..tat's why i tot why got man call Bihua?? ha ha..
ya lor, snoopycar, pple keep asking which piano to buy so can keep for 30 yrs, u buy like no need to think one, like woman buying clothes..u sure u're not dealer??hm hm....
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Joined: Jul 2009
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CYC,
to learn to play the piano, you can buy any of the above chioces. why not just buy a 2nd hand clavinova CLPs for just $500~800 to try out first? the digital sound 70% like a real piano, a beginner cant tell the difference. after a while when you are good a reading music and moving up the skill ladder, you can off load the digital or keep it. playing piano is very siong one leh, not buy first then automatic can play already ok... think about it lor, my 2 cents
I agree with snoopycar. But if money is no issue to u at all, then go for K5 lah but be prepared to loose half should u give up within the next few years or months..
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Joined: Jul 2009
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Happylucky
I don know much about 2nd hand piano but heard the comparison of sound between 30 yrs (can't remember kawai or yamaha) and hailun new. 30 yrs one really sound old already (or matured) and the parts are also v old (what to expect right) unless it has been reconditioned.
But if u really keen in 2nd hand, than go get Larry Fines book n read.
Good luck..
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Whats the difference between U1J and U1?
According to Yamaha salesstaff, U1 from Japan while U1J made in Indonesia.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4
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CYC,
to learn to play the piano, you can buy any of the above chioces. why not just buy a 2nd hand clavinova CLPs for just $500~800 to try out first? the digital sound 70% like a real piano, a beginner cant tell the difference. after a while when you are good a reading music and moving up the skill ladder, you can off load the digital or keep it. playing piano is very siong one leh, not buy first then automatic can play already ok... think about it lor, my 2 cents I agree with snoopy! If you are just learning for fun, a Clavinova is actually more fun because of the different sounds it can make. Later, if you decide to pursue classical music seriously, you can then switch to an acoustic piano. I have a grand piano, but still bought a high-end digital because of the effects and other capabilites, e.g. recording/MIDI/ I definitely would not be quitting. And I would be keeping a piano around anyway, except in the case of an upgrade. Its just I may not play for brief periods due to overseas commitments - but I am ready to practise piano xiong for these 3 months as my schedule is not as packed. I think in the long term view after these 3 months, I would be playing the piano from time to time, and its also a nice house piece - albeit expensive one! Would a clavinova be appropriate for learning? Like to differentiate sounds and such. Does it have the same touch as at least say a medium weighted one? If so I was thinking of finding a CLPS308. It seems after looking around opinions are extremely mixed over pianos...Especially between Yamaha and Kawai. There was a Bohemia at Emmanuel and Sons, 55cm x 144cm x 120cm, 118-Moderna (Serial 66533) going for 2.5k. How old is the thing, according to the serial? The guy didnt know. What do you think of this piano? Thanks guys!
Last edited by Chee Yang Chen; 07/22/09 09:57 AM.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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A clavinova is appropriate for learning. It certain trumps a lot of the not-so-good pianos out there. Get at least a GH3 or NW keyboard; the difference in touch is significant. The Kawai ones are not too bad too; they actually have wooden keys. I heard good things about the Roland digitals as well. Try them to see how they feel. That being said, they won't feel as good as the pianos on your original list.
Yamaha and Kawais are the workhorses. They have excellent build quality, decent touch, and decent sound. They're also incredibly hardy. Think of them as Toyota and Honda. You rarely go too wrong with them.
Bohemia does make very nice pianos, particularly the new ones. However, I don't know how old that particular model is.
In progress
Beethoven: Op 109, Op 110
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Joined: Jul 2009
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My gal is having piano lessons in Yamaha, they use clavinova for students. Not too bad for beginners.
Want to try Hailun?? Sounds great, cheap, Value for money know..join our china brands club?? ha ha ha..
(ps i don't get commission from them)
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 976
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me no dealer lah, me very transparent, just a piano tuner tech with very keen interest in piano. some guys likes hifi, they also buy n sell through the net like changing clothes. what i usually do is buy those neglected pianos, put in lots of sweat, end result is a much much beter piano, nice to play on. sometimes when opportunity comes, i make a decision to buy certain piano which hv some value, actually all pianos hv value, to work on. terribly loose key? just change the key bush. horrible tin can tone? just round the hammers. stuck action, disassemble everything, change the pin... when i'm free don't think i'm berri rich ok?? i am a hv to keep myself occupied kind of guy. Oh i'm talking about those no frills CLP130 type. the hapsicord voice is good to play JS Bach !! if buy those high end, GH3, thumbdrive... new one, them might as well buy a acoustic piano.... happylucky, basically, if the piano feels right, plays right, price is right, then its a good buy. in truth, there are too many things to go into detail to look out for. one really gets what one pays for. (like buying durian) For basic playing, PearlRiver 118 or Hailun 125 is good enough. For brand consious consumer, then get new yamaha or kawai. for bargain hunters, go for 2nd good condtion yamaha or kawai. good piano don't devalue so fast like cars in sinkapore, no coe, no road tax surcharge if more than 10yrs. ok ok, how many of you pick up piano because Jay Chow plays one ?? huh huh ?? after tuning a piano in a hostel, guess what korean boys plays? Jay Chow secrets..... haiya.........
Hailun dealer in Johor Bahru base in Ulu Tiram Genio Silent system installer Piano Tuner tech +65 90228720 Singapore & JB 012 7702587
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Joined: Jul 2009
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hi all,
thanks for your advice. the problem is i dont know much about piano thus have no idea of how to test the piano in term of sound and action, let alone feel.. am in fact buying piano for my daughter who is just a beginner.
nil
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me me..aiyo jay chow so very good...my gal like him so much..how i encourage her to practise piano?? i say 'u wan to play like him, must practise very hard know', i even went to youtube to search his cnn interview and show her, she heard him saying 'yes, i practise very hard, 2 to 3 hours a day'..
so what piano jay chow use huh??
I buy the same then can play like him lor...ho..ho..
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Joined: Jul 2009
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happy lucky, u in same situation as me lei..donno piano buy buy for daughter who's beginner..
then u must try Hailun..read my previous tread (not long ago), see wat snoopycar, bihua, fj_s and other experts say..
(halo uncle jason (PianoMaster) want to start giving me commission already??)
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Joined: Jul 2009
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Happylucky
As wat the expert say in this forum, go try those high end one, don care can afford or not, after trying many, u'll be able to differentiate the sound etc.
then go down the list and get that one that's closest to your expectation and budget.
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Joined: Jul 2009
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What do you think of the resale value of keyboards such as CLPS308? And still quite torn over the bohemia one... Will the bohemia one be better than the keyboard?
Last edited by Chee Yang Chen; 07/22/09 12:25 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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CYC,
Wow! A new CLPS308 cost about $5k+ leh! (According to the Yamaha's website) If like that, might as well get an acoustic piano? Unless it is very important for you to be able to play silently. But not forgetting that most acoustic piano has the practice pedal to help soften the sound when necessary.
You can check out the usual resale value of Clavinovas in eBay or any auction website. But usually I feel that the resale demand for lower end DPs are higher than those higher ends one. Coz for someone to pay 3k+ for a used DP (Digital Piano), I think pple will rather buy a used acoustic piano. And I always see some advertisments in the ebay like forever, weeks after weeks, but no buyers. And the seller keeps dropping the price, until give up and decided to keep the DP themselves.
Also, not forgetting that DPs are very technology based. When a model is new, it will be ex. Maybe after 3 years, new models with new functions comes out, better dynamic sampling, maybe GH4 hammers, then the value of what you bought which used to be the "top of the range" becomes their new basic model, selling at 1k+. Very much like cameras, laptops and so on. So, DP do depreciates rather significantly.
My view is that a decent acoustic piano is better than a DP, unless you really need the silent function. But of coz, got to tune 6-monthly, or at least one a year.
Decide your budget first, then decide if u want a DP or acoustic piano, then go try out more pianos then decide what to buy...enjoy!
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Joined: Nov 2006
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If you are looking to buy a digital piano, I recommend that you go to Swee Lee and try out the Roland HP-207 (which they usually don't have in the showroom, but you can try the lower HP range). I have played a lot on the majority of the Yamaha DPs in the Yamaha showroom in Plaza Singapura, wearing my own audiophile-quality headphones. In terms of touch, tone, and tone modulation the Roland keyboards are superior to those from Yamaha. To me at least.
Generally, you can and should do your homework on the Web -- there is a LOT of information there (including in PW!).
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Joined: Jul 2008
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If you price conscious and want a new digital piano, can try Luther Music at Excelsior Shopping Centre (near Funan). They sell Yamaha, Casio, Korg and forgot what brands. They might be able to quote a cheaper price too...
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Joined: Jul 2008
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Been looking at the posting from this thread and hope to receive advice on what piano i should be buying. I'm in my mid 30s.. picked up piano 6 months ago, partly for myself as my childhood dream is to play the piano and partly for my 3 year old son.. monkey see monkey do.. so i hope he will be curious and interested in piano seeing me play.
I have a Yamaha P85 at home but the idea of buying an acoustic piano lingers. I hope to be able to take exam also.. so for finger training it would be best if i get an acoustic.
Alright, the above are just some background.. la soh hor.. anyway... I came across two pianos but not sure which one i should get (btw, I have not view the piano myself. Mainly just called the owner to check on the pricing..)
1st - a 7 years old wilh. steinberg piano. It would be nice to own a German piano but about $2K beyond my original budget.. or 2nd - a 4years steinrich piano. According to the owner, it's made in Japan. Price quoted is within my budget.. in fact very much within..
I'm in a dilemma which one i should choose. I know i need to look at the piano first but.. i don't know how to examine piano since i started not too long ago.. what should i do? How much would it cost to get a professional piano tuner to assess the piano condition from me?
Appreciate any advice - Thanks!
Best, Lucida
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First, Wilh. Steinberg makes nice pianos, possible better than Yamaha/Kawai. Check the serial number for the age.
Second, Steinrich ceased production in 1988. There's no way the 2nd piano is 4 years old only. However, what little information is out there suggests that they made decent pianos.
Third, pick the nicest sounding piano with the best action within your budget. If looking for used, best to find a piano tech to help you out. Else, buy it from one of the more reputable stores. Check the strings, soundboard, pedals, etc. There's a sticky thread that tells you what to look out for in used pianos in this forum, so do a search.
In progress
Beethoven: Op 109, Op 110
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