Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Yamaha G3 vs Yamaha GB1 vs Boston GP156

Ok. After countelss hours of research I am almost ready to buy a piano but I have not made up my mind of which to choose so I will let you decide. A 1988 Yamaha G3 6'0" in supposed great condition (it is out of my area and have not had it inspected yet, but for now I am going to assume the dealer is being up front with me). The dealer wants $9,900 for it. Next are Yamaha GB1 4'11 and the Boston GP156 5'1". Both are brand new and are going to run about $10,000 to $12,000 My budget is no higher than $12,000 So now the question is to go new and have a smaller piano of larger and have an older piano. This is my family's first piano and is going to be played by my kids. Will one unit sound better? Your imput would greatly be appreciated! Belive it or not I am loosing sleep over my decision so I am leaving it in your hands. Thanks!

Sound wise, I believe the G3 will sound the best, due to its size. I dislike pianos that are too small (about 5').

If you really love a Japanese product, you may want to look at some Kawai. GE and GM which I think are in your budget. Also, take a look at Yamaha GC1. You can even consider a new Chinese pianos in which you can get a great piano at that budget!

Keep looking, don't be hasty on making decision!

Good luck and all the best!

By the way I found out the G3 is a gray market. Should that concern me????

I wouldn't like to comment on gray market products....not my field of expertise...
BUT I can say that the Boston range do respond well to good technician, and the hammers are designed to be voiced to a mellow range without the effort required in other makes.
The shorter length is a handicap compared with the longer instruments but for some folks it is worth a small sacrifice for an instrument that will fit the space.

Hi Jeem,

I have a number of comments. First, I can really relate to the countless hours of research without being able to make a decision, which can sort of drive you crazy. Unfortunately, that's not grounds for abdicating and letting us make the decision. Heck, if you really did that, we'd have you in an Estonia 168 faster than $%^&# goes through a goose, and we'd finance it at 11.99% through Allegro.

So you're gonna have to hang in there long enough to make a choice. Now for your choices. There is mixed sentiment on the board about 20 year old gray market pianos, especially since you can easily get a 5'10" Hailun 178 for the $10K range, which is very well regarded.

In fact, there are a number of pianos that are 5'4" or larger that are available for $12K, so if I were making your decision, I'd say that you needed some patience to make a more thorough search. If not having a piano is pressuring you to make a quick choice, then rent one for a month or two.

Furthermore, since you say it's your first piano, are you sure that you need to spend $12K on a grand in the first place? You may be able to spend $4-6K for an upright that will be fine for your kids to learn on, and save yourself a bunch of money.

Happy hunting. I hope this helps, even though it's not quite what you were looking for ...

I appreciate your replys. We have an upright now that is shot. Also we have a great room in our house where a grand will work well for our kids to grow up using as well as a nice piece of deor. I am leaning toward the 6'0" used "gray market" Yamaha right now. Would I be naive in saying since I'm not a "musician" so how bad could this used piano be?

Put a poll out there and ask how many people have been able to buy a new Boston for $12,000 or less and you will find that there are very few. Here in the Northeast we sold a couple of them (older serial number stock) for $15,990 only once in the past year!

Is the dealer offering a warranty on the G3?People should include the area they live in so local forum members can give them more precise info on pricing and shops in their area.

I would be getting a 5 year parts and labor warranty from a dealer in Ohio.

Why not go for a NEW 6 foot Hailun. See the below website.

http://www.pianocenter.com/about.html

I can only comment on the GB1, I bought one here recently. Yes it is short, but it still has a very nice tone. For us it was the only thing that would really work in the space available. Not too mention that there was not much choice. the G3 would probably be the best choice, and it sounds like you will also get a warranty... but will you have to travel to get warranty work done... might not be worth it. Good luck on your purchase.

Definately check out the GE series, we make them on the same line as the Boston.

"Definately check out the GE series, we make them on the same line as the Boston"

---that's interesting. I've heard from your own reps (i.e. Brian Chung, Bob? Dove) that it is made on the same line as the RX-series model.

Haven't you told us all in the past that Boston was an exclusive Steinway design that just happens to be built by Kawai?

RX, GE, and Boston are all made on the same line. I mentioned the GE because jeem612 mentioned a Boston GP 156, the same length as the GE 20, also due to the price point that was indicated.

I've been looking and playing pianos for a student recently and played the Yamaha GB1 and for my money the sound on the Yamaha C1 or C2 if Yamaha is what you are leaning towards, will give you a much more satisfying musical sound. Yes, the pianos are bigger but with that extra length your children will be able to grow and mature for a much longer time in their musical studies without feeling theneed to upgrade so soon.