Hi ginko2 - I purchased a Hailun HU 1 P last year from the Hailun Dealer in Calgary and am very happy with it. I did a lot of research and focused in on Hailun at the local dealer and a Yamaha U1 that was also available. My piano sounds to me rich and warm to me and I have really fallen in love with it. The best advice I took at the time was to forget the features and look for the sound you like.

Hi choi mama,

Thanks for responding. I read about your long search for your piano. Glad you found one you love!

I had a student who owns the same size Hailun as you are talking about - she is a very advanced pianist and was still very happy with it after several years of owning it.

Well, let me just say right now, you do not at all strike me as a crazy or feverish person. Sometimes people do very regrettable things under the influence of the idea that, "This is the only piano in the world." It is not.

On the contrary, a shopper ready to execute a cash sale is in a very strong position. Dealers remember her in their prayers at night. Better yet, she already has two nice pianos at home, and knows a thing or two. Once she sees what she likes, she negotiates a sale on favorable terms, fair to both parties.

I'm especially impressed that you've already got the tech on the way to inspect. This is a very strong indication of a lack of craziness, and the presence of good sense. I think you are wrong to doubt yourself. By the time you finish executing your plan of playing this piano twice more, getting the true word about condition from a qualified technician (paid for solely by you and reporting only to you), and if possible, hearing from an owner of this model, you will be in a far stronger position to decide, confidently. You'll know the facts, and you'll know the inner feeling. And, you'll be in a better position to size up the dealer. If he's not nice to you now, it's not going to get any better once he has your money.

Well, it's Yes, No, or Not Now. You can live with any of those.

If you're heating your house with wood, I suspect you are not close to Florida, where Jethro (on this forum) is selling an RX-2 that I think you might like. Oh well, the Kawai has come all the way from Japan and the Hailun has come from China.

There are, or were, a number of people on the forums who bought Hailun grands. One of these gentlemen invited a few of us to his home, to see the one he bought for himself. In the large room, it was perfect: beautiful to see and to listen to, balanced just right for the space. He was a relative beginner, but he played a lot, and it showed.

When I tried the piano myself, I found the touch was a bit soft compared to my RX-5. No doubt, if I had played it for a longer time I would have gotten used to it, and would have been able to bring forth its voice more effectively, as our host did.

I will wish you good luck, gingko2, but I can see that you're already making your own luck.

Thanks, ando, for telling me about your student! I'm hearing much more positive than negativ.

Jeff, I AM feeling a little crazed and fevered. And I did fantasize about Jethro's piano, but not being able to play it first, plus the expense of transport, and having to take the whole window out to get it in upstairs..(..the RX2 is just a couple inches too wide) brought me back down to earth.

I also think it might be good to establish a relationship with a dealer for the future. This piano shopping is not easy. My practice wasn't very good yesterday--too distracted. I doubt it will be good tomorrow!

Appreciate your comments. (I think it was you, among others, who gave me good advice about the CW)

Tech will check it tomorrow. I go back and play tomorrow. If we both don't love it I'll keep looking.

I have a Hailun 178. I have been very happy with it and have found the customer service experience with Hailun to be excellent.

We have had a Hailun 178 for 4 1/2 years. Still happy with our purchase. No major issues with it.

Thank you Chess and Mike! I'm so glad to hear you like your Hailuns. I think I will too. I bought it!

It will arrive in 4-6 weeks because we have a renovation project going on.

The tech was effusive. I thought for sure he was calling to tell me to forget it and keep looking, but he was very impressed with the piano---beautiful sound, good touch, well-made, well-cared for and 9 years remaining on the warranty.

He's quite critical and outspoken of individual pianos of all makes--I can't even dream of what he hears with his ears.....

I played it for about 45 minutes, everything in my current lesson, technique and rep and more. It sounded great to me.

This may or may not be the best piano I could get, but the hundred hours saved driving, looking, researching, agonizing, etc. are worth something too. The price was attractive, doable without regret. If I tire of it, I'll sell it. But I think I'm going to like it for a long time......

I think the sooner I start playing on a grand regularly, the sooner my ear and playing will get more subtle. Then I'll get an idea of what I like and what to look for in a piano. I'm quite happy.

Thank you everyone for your comments and suggestions.

Congratulations! Pictures must be forthcoming once your new piano is in place.

Thank you, Noble House. Will do.

I'm imagining sometimes playing something on the Hailun then running downstairs to try it on the Walter, then running back upstairs again. Maybe my ear will get better, and I'll get some easy exercise.

Congratulations on the new-to-you Hailun. I owned a 178 briefly, that I really liked. It had delivery damage and was replaced with another 178 that was a dog. It sounds like you found a good one. Enjoy!

If you decide to run up and down the stairs to play the same piece on the two pianos, we MUST have a video🤪 it will go viral
Congrats on the new piano!!!!

jarobi,

Mine still has to be craned through a window, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Thanks for the congrats and and well-wishes, and letting me know you liked the first one.

dogperson,

It would be funny, wouldn't it? But after a career as a public high school teacher I feel I've got a lifetime supply of public exposure. Hmm, maybe an audio recording would be enough: music, slamming door, thump, thump, thump, (etc), music, catching breath.....

Thanks for the congrats :-)

Congratulations on your new-to-you Hailun! It’s wonderful to have a trustworthy piano practice partner as you continue your musical adventure!

Thank you j&j for your thoughtful input and your congrats! I'm looking forward to learning what a grand can teach me.