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I don't play piano. My wife used to play many years ago. Our daughter, age 14 plays flute, sings and would like to play piano. Our twin sons age 10 will be starting piano in the next two months or so. I may even give it a try. Problem is we need a piano and do have a relatively small budget ($2,000-3,000). Hard to buy when you don't know who to trust or exactly what to look for. For instance, the local Yamaha dealer was pushing the entry level Cable-Nelson ($3,000) brand which is a Chinese made Yamaha. Then there was the Hamilton ($3,800) which was explained to me to be an entry level Baldwin (also made in China). Then the was the Fischer and Sons ($2,000) which appears to be an entry level "house brand" made for the Sherman and Clay piano chain. I am not partial to any particular brand or name. We just need a solid affordable piano. Frankly, I have no idea what is inside these units and what to look for to distinguish one from the other. Interestingly, the Fischer, which is the cheapest, has a spruce soundboard (which is supposed to be better yes?), while the other two have laminated boards. It's enough to drive a guy crazy, especially when you add the digital pianos into the mix. Problem with the digital is my wife hates the way they look and the only remotely affordable one with what looks like a nice cabinet is a Suzuki sold at Costco of all places. It only has a 1 year warranty compared to the Yamaha Clavinovas which have 5 years which to me sends a strong message which company believes it makes a solid product. All of the acoustics have a 10 year warranty.

So what we are presently left with is a confusing mess that has me thinking maybe a pair of saxophones for the boys would be easier (and cheaper).

As such, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Read the Piano Buyer for starters, see the ad on the right column of this webpage. Have your wife play the Yamaha and the Baldwin - they may be the best of your list. They are designed a bit differently from each other. See if she notices the sound and touch. It will take more than one visit of playing and comparing, and one may react differently each time. Slow down and have fun! There is typically said to be room to negotiate the price as well.

<<add the digital pianos into the mix>>

A multi instrumental family all about to start or re-start on the piano?

I'd strongly consider a digital in the first instance to get everyone up and running and facilitate management of multiple practice session! You can't go wrong with a Clavinova.

Hmmm... if your wife hates the look of digitals, then I would probably not bother.
You might also want to look out for a Hailun - if they are still being sold in the States. Of course, you could always visit Canada to buy one

I would also strongly recommend that you have a read through the piano buyer guide and possibly even try playing a few piano's (or possibly getting your wife to) and seeing what sounds the best for your budget. Once you have a short list, you can start the negotiations.

M

Depending on where you live, you may be able to find a very nice used piano, getting more for your dollar.

I bought a used Yamaha when I started 3.5 years ago and have not regretted it yet. My accomplished piano playing friends like my piano very much as well.

The caveat is that you should get a technician to check out serious contenders, especially if purchasing through a private buyer. However, I bought mine from a well respected dealer and did not get a technician's opinion and it turned out just great.

A new piano in your price range would be one we fondly call a "starter piano". Solid spruce soundboards with 1/4" wide growth rings are comparable in vibrating efficiency to laminated boards IMHO. Hamiltons have been, and Baldwins are now, made by Dongbei in China. Check Craigs list for used Yamaha's and Kawai verticals. Have a tech check out any used piano.

definately look at used: it should be possible to get a nice 5 year old Yamaha, Knabe, Kawai or whathaveyou in your price range. Even cheaper - ever since the Chinese entered the market, selling used pianos has gotten progressively more difficult. A buyers market for sure.

I think your assumption is wrong. If the twins insist on getting separate saxophones, the student version of an alto sax costs $1,885, so you have to spend $3,800 just for their student years. When they graduate to an adult saxophone, a professional instrument can cost as much as $4,800. So now you are up to nearly $10,000, not counting replacement mouthpieces from time to time.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=selmer+sax&src=3WWRWXGB&ZYXSEM=0

These are Selmer instruments, the standard in the saxophone industry - also they are owned by Steinway so wouldn't you be better off just getting a Steinway piano, like an Essex? The twins could play duets on the piano. Maybe you could find a used one in your area that is within your budget.

The amount of money you could save compared to buying even student saxophones for the twins could be used to buy new mattresses for the boys.

If the product descriptions you are giving here were obtained from the salespros, I would say you are not doing so badly in terms of truthful disclosure. The Baldwin may have an inflated price, but that's hard to say without knowing the particular model.

If the pianos you mention are all that's available in your local market in your price range and if $3k is not chump change to your family, I'd advise you to travel to the nearest market that offers more selection. I'm not implying that any of those mentioned are bad, just that exposure to more brands will help you make a more informed decision.

A digital piano priced between 2 and 3k will not be a starter digital. It will be fully loaded with advanced features like instant recording/playback and silent play. The silent play option with headphones may be of particular interest to anyone in the family within hearing range of three or four different beginners strutting their stuff. Something like the Roland HP203 would be in your price range and might squeak by your wife's furniture criteria.

In my experience piano sales pros are far more knowledgeable and professional than mattress sellers. If you can divert them away from prepared spiels and talking points to a consideration of your particular needs, they can be very helpful.

If you have the time and inclination to educate yourself on brands, prices, and features, the Piano Buyer link to the right offers a wealth of free information.

I am not a piano expert, but had a similar piano buying dilemma due to a limited budget.

With such a budget, your two best options would be to buy used or go digital.

You're lucky since there are a lot of used pianos available in the US and good piano technicians to boot. But you need to do your research and hire a competent technician to check out the piano beforehand.

A digital piano, on the other hand would be less headache. $2000~3000 is guaranteed to buy you a very good quality DP. I'd say a good DP will function much more reliably (if not much better) than an old clunker piano or a cheap new piano of dubious make.

You should also take into consideration that acoustic pianos require maintenance costs such as periodic tunings or regulations. It is often said here that one should not buy an acoustic if they can't afford to maintain it.

I've been looking to upgrade from my old upright, and I totally agree, the process is no fun. It's hard to know what to believe when you go to the dealers, (no offense to anyone:)). I'm no expert by any means and don't know much about the brands you mention, but I would highly advise reading Larry Fine's Piano Book (or the Piano Buyer, you'll find a link to the online version in the right hand column), as well as the Flinns' "Idiot's Guide to Buying a Piano". The latter is probably a little easier to digest. Marty Flinn also makes frequent posts on this forum, you might want to look at some of them. I've found them very informative.

Hi, I'm new here but have been playing for a very long time. It does not have to be complicated. Do you have a friend who plays piano? Take a look on Craig's list and take this friend (or your wife!) along with you to try out the pianos. If the pianos sound and feel good, you are there.

Yes, there's lots to learn about pianos, but if your kids are just starting out, a good solid upright piano is a good place to start.

You should also consider a major downside to digitals. Thier life-expectancy is MUCH less than that of an acoustic.

Why do you say that? I would think an electronic piano will last indefintiely, or as long as the mechanical parts last.

How long did your last computer last? Most 20 year old electronics are pretty shoddy now, and may be impossible to repair. A 20 year old acoustic piano may need some work, but can definitely be made better for far less than replacement.

If an acoustic is 40+ years, a digital, depending on quality may be from 2 to 10 for entry level, and perhaps far beyond that for the better quality ones. The trouble is getting any replacement parts for the action would become more difficult as years pass and models change.

Here is a topic on the problems with digital pianos.

If you tell us what city is your local craigslist, maybe we can find a decent piano for you.

Love your post title as I say all the time the only thing harder than piano shopping is shopping for a new mattress.
When we went shopping for a mattress I felt like some clients I have talked with about their experiences looking for pianos.

I have seen Clavinovas in an institutional setting that are 25 years old and still working.