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I'm retired and taking piano lessons for the first time since grade school. I was looking at new quality professional pianos but I found I can purchase a Knabe Grand 5'8" WKG-58 at the Dealer's invoice. Retail is almost $26,000 and I can purchase it for less than half of that. I'm tempted as most local dealers want almost that much for a 48" studio. Since I don't have room in my apartment for grand, I'm considering a move. What should I do?

I'm not sure if I understand your question. But you should buy the piano that suits you. IMO buying anything just because its a good deal is not the best thing to do. You should be able to get a decent 48" upright that fits in your apartment for far less $$ than the above grand.

I don't know the quality of that Knabe grand, but I know it's a name that's been around a long time, so that sounds like a deal too good to be true to me. $26K is about what you'd pay for that size grand, for a Yahama or Kawai or something similar, I think. Is there something wrong with it or why are they willing to do that? Two people are selling new Knabe grands for half off on ebay, also (a bit longer model), for around $15K.

In any case, you can get a studio for less than that, I think new retail is about $7-9,000 for Yamaha, Kawais, etc. for a 48" one.

Do you want a grand piano that much that you'll change your life for it, or does it just seem like a financial windfall? Because moving just becuase of that is something I'd never consider, unless you don't like the place you live, anyway. Moving is expensive.

Sounds like a good deal to me. If you are saying you can purchase it for around $12k I say go for it. You only live once, as far as I know.

Agree with Furtwangler. New with full warranty, it's a great deal. Nothing wrong at all with buying the deal.....if you like the piano.

Grab a technician and find out if the deal is too good to be true. They'll check if there are cracks in the soundboard (some are repairable and some are too expensive for repair). The technician will also tell you if the strings are rusty, if the pegs are loose... They'll probablty give you a estimate of what it would cost to fix all that needs to be fixed.

Good luck.

Welcome to the forum, Mary. Depending on what your apartment walls are made out of and/or how cranky your neighbors are, you might encounter resistance from your neighbors even with an upright, let alone a grand. So if you're not invested in that particular apartment, moving could be beneficial with whatever acoustic piano you end up with. (We often recommend digital pianos for apartment dwellers just for that reason.)

Come join us in the Adult Beginners forum. We have lots of retired folks there starting (or restarting) the piano.

Mary, first of all congratulations for your decision, you will see that many people here start or start again at a fairly wise age...

As far as piano is concerned, whilst I fully understand the desire to get a good deal, it seems to me that things are going a bit overboard if you plan to move in order to be able to get the deal.

If you are thinking of moving anyway it is of course a different matter, and then it makes deep sense to look for a place where you can put a grand. But to get a bargain which then forces you to change life, neighbours and habits seems to me a bit too stretched.

A good used upright might allow you to start playing, seeing how serious that is, consider with more time at your disposal whether you want to move and why and, if you decide to move, switch to a grand in due time without a big financial loss on the sale of the used upright.

Congratulations again and let us know what you have decided!

One advantage to an upright is that many have a practice pedal with lowers a strip of felt between the strings and the hammers making for a very quiet practice time; good for apt dwellers.
Yamaha makes a silent piano as well that can be played with headphones. I do not believe any of this is possible with a grand.
If it is time for a house for you then go grand!

Mike

dbl dup post

Buy the piano not the deal. When you play this piano or listen to it being played, is the tone pleasing to your ears?

Love your being willing to relocate, to incorporate a piano into your life style. Please make sure that you love the piano before you move.

I agree with Monica, Innaminato, and others here.

1. I would suggest that you consider a good DP if you continue to live in your apartment. There are many advantages to a DP, including size and ability to play with headphones and not irritate your neighbors, not to mention no need for periodic tuning and regulation. There are many good DPs with good touch and realistic piano sound.

2. I would make my piano decision contingent upon my choice of housing and not the other way around. Unless you're moving for other reasons you consider important to your life, I wouldn't move just to accomodate a grand piano. That seems to be a bit of a misplaced priority. Just my perspective, of course.

welcome to the forums and good luck with your piano purchase.

Thank you for all for your replies and insight. I plan to move anyway and will make a decision once I'm settled. Shopping for pianos has been an experience "What a deal I have for you"... I found a very helpful web page from a local dealer at www.douglasspianos.com. I also found Bill's piano blog amusing.