Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Considering an inexpensive baby grand

Almost every piano dealership also sells digitals these days.

That depends on how pleasant that sound is.

I think that depends in large part on the area. When I was piano shopping, none of the (five) dealers I visited had digitals in the $2000 and under price range, they only had more expensive models. They seemed to only have more high end models. That’s why I suggested Guitar Center, they will more likely have a range of options in the $1000-2000 price range. And I think Costco often does but I’m not really sure. Places like Best Buy OTOH seem to only have (non weighted) keyboards.

Nope, every piano dealership doesn’t sell digitals..... nor at all price points or brands, indeed, it does does depend on where you live.

I had the same experience in our area, the Kawai dealer where I bought my acoustic had all the cabinet model high end Kawais and the Roland digitals in grand cabinets, but no slabs. If you're lucky enough to live near a place like Sweetwater, they have a pretty good display setup and will take a slab out of stock and set it up for you if you want to try one. The problem now is it seems like some models are in very short supply.

Oh yeah, I read something about that (lots of people buying digital pianos because of covid)

Also I forgot about Sweetwater, good suggestion!

In any case, to to the OP, keep us posted!

Again, thank you all for your comments and information. I'll keep you posted, and I'll probably have more questions, too. I've decided to pass on the 1975 Kimball, without seeing it or hearing it. I was informed that it needs some TLC, and I don't really want to start with a project piano. Also, they want to get rid of it within just a few days, and I hate to rush into things. If it had been a bit closer to home, I would at least have gone to look at it, but it was a longer trip than I wanted to make, considering the dubious state of the piano.

I agree, a fairly decent baby grand piano can be had for not a lot of money, but you have to know what to look for, and be somewhat educated about acoustic pianos. Also, the woods are not full of them, but they are out there. That is why you have to look hard and be patient. If you want a piano now, the digital is likely the best way to go. Even if you buy a relatively inexpensive, weighted 88 key digital, you can still be on the lookout for a decent grand at a price you can afford.

I got my acoustic piano education the hard way, from the piano school of hard knocks, and past mistakes. But I learned nonetheless.

In your situation, before I went out and bought a $1000 digital piano, (and a pretty nice one can be had for $1000 or less), I'd be inclined to learn a bit more about acoustic pianos, if that is what you really want.

Fact is, although there are lots of opinions here on digital pianos, there is a huge difference in the tone, and usually the touch, between a digital and an acoustic. I too have a decent digital, that I play often, but it always has that "electronic tone". I much prefer my acoustic pianos, as a general rule.

Also, if you buy a "fixer upper" acoustic piano, you will either have to learn to tune it and work on it yourself, or hire a professional piano tech. Most good piano technicians charge roughly $100 an hour, possibly more. On the other hand, they can get a lot done in an hour. Just some things to consider.

Also, and this is just my opinion, a new/newer grand piano can cost upwards of $30,000, depending on the brand. With that in mind, if you can find a decent, tunable, playable grand piano for $3,000 or less, you are doing very well. If you can find one for less than that, you are doing very well.

So, to recap, educate yourself, as much as possible, and search your heart and mind to decide what you really want. Play as many different pianos as you can, both acoustic and digital. And, have a plan A, a plan B and a plan C.

Good luck!

Rick

I played an 150cm Otto Meister recently at a dealer.

I never heard of the brand, and I don't know anything about the build quality, but i thought it was a very nice small grand to play. Good sound and good action. They are asking €6000 for it new as a "showroom model". It was a Korean brand according to the dealer.

Maybe if you could find something like this at say 5 to 20 years old, it could have a friendly pricetag.

Instead of a baby grand, why not go for a 5'8" or 6'-range parlor grand? They sound much better. There aren't as many of them (at one time 90% of new grands were baby grands) but they will be in better shape.

I would consider that, though I don't believe I've seen one yet in my search.