 |
Welcome to the Piano World Piano Forums
Over 3 million posts about pianos, digital pianos, and all types of keyboard instruments.
Over 100,000 members from around the world.
Join the World's Largest Community of Piano Lovers
(it's free)
It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!
|
|
|
|
55 members (beeboss, Chris B, Cheeeeee, Carey, CharlesXX, Aleks_MG, accordeur, brdwyguy, 10 invisible),
1,978
guests, and
314
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 623
500 Post Club Member
|
OP
500 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 623 |
Hello, I'm planning on buying either one of the smaller Everett uprights (45") or a new Charles Walter console (~43"). I'm choosing an upright because space is seriously extremely limited (small place in NY) and if I choose a bigger upright, I'm afraid it'll overwhelm the space. I've tried a large M&H upright and it was too much. I'm open to other brands, but these are the two I have my hopes on (I've tried the Everetts of this size, not the Walters yet). I'll definitely hire a tech before I go out to buy. When buying pianos of this size, I know I have to be extra careful. Are there any special problems that small uprights have in being tuned, regulated, and voiced? I've read some horror stories before and I don't want to get stuck with a piano that won't last. I plan on keeping this instrument for the long-term (i.e., not upgrading for many, many years). Obviously the Everett would be used, but I'm considering a brand new Walter. I appreciate any help you can give me and I apologize if the question is too "broad". EDIT: I have a budget in mind for the piano plus any initial work that needs to be done, plus any things I need to prepare the room (carpeting, dehumidifer?): I'd like to keep things under $15k. So please don't suggest any Bechsteins or Schimmels unless you know a good deal  . Thanks.
Last edited by Dwscamel; 03/07/14 06:24 PM.
Beethoven - Op.49 No.1 (sonata 19)
Czerny - Op.299 Nos. 5,7 (School of Velocity)
Liszt - S.172 No.2 (Consolation No.2)
Dream piece:
Rachmaninoff - Sonata 2, movement 2 in E minor
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32,060
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
|
|
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32,060 |
The Walter differs in size from the Everett only in the case configuration. Internally, it is the same as the 45" Walters. The 50" Mason & Hamlin has a lot of volume, but in general, the larger the piano is, the easier it is to play it softer. In addition, the tone tends to be better with larger pianos, and often a piano poor tone is perceived as being louder than a piano with better tone.
Semipro Tech
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,439
7000 Post Club Member
|
|
7000 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,439 |
The Walter differs in size from the Everett only in the case configuration. Huh? The Everett has nothing to do with the Walter, or vice versa. In the Walter pianos, the interiors of the Console and the Studio are the same. The difference is cabinetry only. The Walter is far superior to the Everett.
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,439
7000 Post Club Member
|
|
7000 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,439 |
Del could certainly answer that question. However, he is the designer of the Walter pianos.
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32,060
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
|
|
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32,060 |
Del Fandrich did not design the Walter vertical.
Semipro Tech
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,439
7000 Post Club Member
|
|
7000 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,439 |
I guess that Del will have to tell the story - Again.
The current Walter piano is a far cry from the 1975 Janssen designed by Mr. Walter for Conn. I do believe that Del had a major influence in the design of both the verticals and the grands. If I am wrong, I would gladly be corrected by Mr. Fandrich.
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,263
4000 Post Club Member
|
|
4000 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,263 |
Are Del Fandrich's pianos still being made?
The last entry in Larry's atlas is 2003. In 97 the instruments were being built @ Guangzhou Piano.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,760
3000 Post Club Member
|
|
3000 Post Club Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,760 |
Are Del Fandrich's pianos still being made?
The last entry in Larry's atlas is 2003. In 97 the instruments were being built @ Guangzhou Piano. . The Fandrich upright U122 was never made by Guangzhou piano. Del Fandrich designed the U122 Darrell Fandrich designed the action for the U122 The Walter uprights were designed by Charles Walter. The Walter Grands were designed by Del fandrich Fandrich & Sons pianos have come from many factories and then tweaked by Darrell Fandrich. Darrell & Del are brothers. Heather & Barbera are sister in laws. Did I miss anything? A walter is a far superior instrument to an Everett.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,439
7000 Post Club Member
|
|
7000 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,439 |
One minor correction - Sisters in law.
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,760
3000 Post Club Member
|
|
3000 Post Club Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,760 |
One minor correction - Sisters in law. 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,534
5000 Post Club Member
|
|
5000 Post Club Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,534 |
Are Del Fandrich's pianos still being made?
The last entry in Larry's atlas is 2003. In 97 the instruments were being built @ Guangzhou Piano. . The Fandrich upright U122 was never made by Guangzhou piano. Del Fandrich designed the U122 Darrell Fandrich designed the action for the U122 The Walter uprights were designed by Charles Walter. The Walter Grands were designed by Del fandrich Fandrich & Sons pianos have come from many factories and then tweaked by Darrell Fandrich. Darrell & Del are brothers. Heather & Barbera are sister in laws. Did I miss anything? A walter is a far superior instrument to an Everett. I need to check in more often.... Rod, you pretty much covered it all. I would only add that some Everett console/studio pianos were pretty decent pianos. Only your technician will know for sure. I pretty much lost interest in them when they dropped the iron-bar backposts. ddf
Delwin D Fandrich
Piano Research, Design & Manufacturing Consultant
ddfandrich@gmail.com
(To contact me privately please use this e-mail address.)
Stupidity is a rare condition, ignorance is a common choice. --Anon
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 623
500 Post Club Member
|
|
OP
500 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 623 |
Thanks for the advice. I'm adding the bigger uprights to my search again, but I'd like to stay American-made if possible.
Beethoven - Op.49 No.1 (sonata 19)
Czerny - Op.299 Nos. 5,7 (School of Velocity)
Liszt - S.172 No.2 (Consolation No.2)
Dream piece:
Rachmaninoff - Sonata 2, movement 2 in E minor
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32,060
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
|
|
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 32,060 |
There are only three manufacturers of uprights in the US now: Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, and Charles Walter.
There are lots of used American uprights, but what you can find is all that is available.
Semipro Tech
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,263
4000 Post Club Member
|
|
4000 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,263 |
The information I posted is found in the piano atlas by Larry Ashley. Unfortunate to learn that this information is not accurate.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,439
7000 Post Club Member
|
|
7000 Post Club Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,439 |
I stand corrected.
Thank you Del.
Marty in Minnesota
It's much easier to bash a Steinway than it is to play one.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 623
500 Post Club Member
|
|
OP
500 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 623 |
I wish the pickings weren't so slim in the new, made-in-America market. I definitely can't afford a new Steinway K52 on my budget, for example. Might have to start looking at old Baldwins as well.
Thanks to everyone for their input, this forum is a great help.
Beethoven - Op.49 No.1 (sonata 19)
Czerny - Op.299 Nos. 5,7 (School of Velocity)
Liszt - S.172 No.2 (Consolation No.2)
Dream piece:
Rachmaninoff - Sonata 2, movement 2 in E minor
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,230
9000 Post Club Member
|
|
9000 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,230 |
Hello, I'm planning on buying either one of the smaller Everett uprights (45") or a new Charles Walter console (~43"). I'm choosing an upright because space is seriously extremely limited (small place in NY) and if I choose a bigger upright, I'm afraid it'll overwhelm the space. I've tried a large M&H upright and it was too much. I'm open to other brands, but these are the two I have my hopes on (I've tried the Everetts of this size, not the Walters yet). I'll definitely hire a tech before I go out to buy. When buying pianos of this size, I know I have to be extra careful. Are there any special problems that small uprights have in being tuned, regulated, and voiced? I've read some horror stories before and I don't want to get stuck with a piano that won't last. I plan on keeping this instrument for the long-term (i.e., not upgrading for many, many years). Obviously the Everett would be used, but I'm considering a brand new Walter. I appreciate any help you can give me and I apologize if the question is too "broad". EDIT: I have a budget in mind for the piano plus any initial work that needs to be done, plus any things I need to prepare the room (carpeting, dehumidifer?): I'd like to keep things under $15k. So please don't suggest any Bechsteins or Schimmels unless you know a good deal . Thanks. The space occupied by a standard size vertical piano is really not so much more than a "reduced" one. The best verticals have a wooden frame on their back, so it add a little, then from left to right the gain in space is minimal. Also "normal" size (above 114cm)allow to have a certain length for the keys, this only will impact the touch / possibilities a lot. Because we play at a distance from the edge of keys, reduced keys have more leverage variations as the lenght of the lever will be more variable depending of your hand position. just my few cts. PS the small Schimmel (not produced today but they made models 100cm tall) where well balanced. As the small 105 W Hoffmann or Euterpe , till the 90's (Langlau factory). Smaller keyboards need to be very well designed and despite that they wear out faster because the angles of the keys are more pronounced. If you can see a Wihll Steinberg, they are good pianos in small sizes, not too expensive. I would not buy a small piano today, may be a Bechstein, Grotrian, Sauter, Seiler. The trend for small pianos passed away in Europe, hopefully.
Last edited by Olek; 03/08/14 01:35 PM.
Professional of the profession.
Foo Foo specialist
I wish to add some kind and sensitive phrase but nothing comes to mind.!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,263
4000 Post Club Member
|
|
4000 Post Club Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,263 |
I have a number Everetts from the early and mid-80’s in my inventory of tuning clients. I like them as far as a good used instrument is concerned. Non-descript utilitarian cabinet designs over a solid build.
I ran across a tall Baldwin for sale here a couple of years back if I recall correctly I think it was the model 6000?.... Or something like that. Unusual stringing pattern with large diameter treble wire bi-chords down close to the break. I think ten keys with bi-chords or something like that. Lots of volume to that one. Really tight block.
|
|
|
|
Forums43
Topics223,392
Posts3,349,302
Members111,634
| |
Most Online15,252
Mar 21st, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
