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Here was I, nosing around in the piano shop, (as you do) since it`s only a few hundred yards from where I live. I tries all the actions on all the pianos. As you do. They all know me in there, anyway, so that makes it OK .. . some of the pianos had been rearranged to make way for new stock, for it is a thriving establishment.

In a semiprominent place, was this Steinmayer, in black. It was I believe, new and it carried a price tag of only £1895. Now that is cheap. So I examined it; the keyboard had long keys and was easy to play wi yer fingers at the top of `em, which is a big plus. And more than could be said for most of the other more expensive pianos in the shop. Either AP or DP. That included the Bluthner upright further down the `bus so to speak. And the Yamahas and Kawais all of which cost considerably more.

So I tried the escapement thing. Tried to rattle two fingers on one keyin order to achieve that rattly sound some get. Didn`t work on any of the pianos I tried. Might have been down to me, mind.

I would`ve sat down to play the thing, but someone was in the next room clonking away on the church organs . ..

This piano has high reviews according to Google. Which begs the question - Is it`s low price a turn off? Which in turn begs other questions . . . for it has been in the shop a long time . .

In my view, regarding the low price, as you say, some piano dealers get a hold of rather nice pianos at dirt-cheap prices, whether it be trades, or someone cold-calling wanting to get rid of a nice piano quickly and cheap. I'm sure they attempt to turn a substantial profit, but may get to the point of turning the unit out the door cheaply just to make room. Of course, I'm just speculating.

Some of the piano stores I've visited were asking astronomical prices for old, warn-out used pianos... maybe that is why the store you mention is thriving while the ones I mentioned have gone out of business.

Rick

This piano, so Google informs me, is one of the most popular from China and has been winner of the award for entry level pianos several times. I would rate it highly; the action seemed excellent (to me lol) AND it was shiny black. Some DPs are priced at nearly £1k extra for "polished ebony" finish . . .

Sounds a genuine bargain! Peter,can you please explain this 'escapement thing? As a lover from afar of pianos still dreaming of actually owning an upright at least I'm interested to know what to look out for.

The bigger question here, is this:
Is young Peter so smitten by this
little China-doll that he will
bite the bullett and tie the knot
on the real deal????

Come, Petey... put the RealDoll
in the hope chest, buy that piany
and join the rest society.

I live in hope o` being taken seriously one day. . . .but "young" Peter? Now that is stretching things too far. . . !

And Larry, you live in hope of buying one? Why, why, why?? But if you`re in the area here it is . . Take yer pick!

http://www.promenademusic.co.uk/steinmayer

Well I meant an upright in general. No way I could afford new so it will probably be some old beaten up joanna residing in a charity shop for me!

Larry, a beat up old digital would be a better bet . . .and you could save up for KingCole`s Avant Grande . . .

Could it be that new asian imports are getting Osborned by the Young Chang and Weber re-designs?

I would say that Steinmayer is the brand to get you into the shop and looking at something a bit higher up. I wouldn't want to comment on their quality, but there are others that I'd sooner have, even if it means paying twice as much (and the piano lasting a LOT longer!).

another two cents.... and I'm talking with a good deal of experience on pianos here: Someone I know has bought a Challen baby grand, a new one, built in China. It's a 4'9 grand. The action is atrocious, and the tone is whining in the treble, and completely muted in the bass. It's RRP is about £5,000. This person 'had to have a grand'.

For that money they could have bought a Kawai K3 at the time, far more musically rewarding in every way. In fact they could have bought a Yamaha CLP-380 Clavinova for less, that would have been far more musically rewarding too.

Sometimes we are lured by the look and the price. I'm not saying that's what happened with you and the Steinmayer, but if you haven't bought it yet, think seriously and let your ears be the supreme court.

serious stuff joe
sounds like excellent advice and comments.

This is not a popular brand in China. Pearl River entry level uprights are the popular ones.

Hey Joe - "The action is atrocious, and the tone is whining in the treble, and completely muted in the bass. It's RRP is about £5,000."

Sounds like the one for me . . . .

Well, step one would be:
STOP emailing me pictures of "your sister"...
I KNOW IT'S YOU, PETER!!!!!

Can`t get me head round that one Plinky. There`s humour in there somewhere . . is there?

Ha, good one!

Yes a digital would be be more practical but I really want an old acoustic, a piano with history, character. Plus I could get an upright for £50! Not so a digital.

I don`t blame ya man. I did the same wi an ole Broadwood grand (1850`s) I tuned it, it worked well. Indescibabale to feel the history in that, The signature of the technician who passed it . . the original strings (replaced the treble ones; made big difference)

My wife looked (and sounded) good on that. . . I wish you all the best man! Have fun . .I did!

Why is everyone talking like pirates in this thread? I'm always late for the party... gonna' go find my eyepatch...