Piano Recommendations

Starlight8 on 15/10/2017 - 15:27

Hey Fellow OzBargainers,

I hope this message finds you well on a Sunday Funday!

So my story is - I learnt the piano when I was young (it was seriously a chore back then hahaha). As I have aged I've discovered that I want to relearn/play the piano.

I was wondering if you guys have any recommendations for which brand/model of piano I should buy (note, I only want an upright piano).

I was also wondering if there is any legitimacy around buying pianos which are 15 years old compared to buying a brand new one as I plan to future proof my piano for my future kids :)

Also, if you guys can recommend a shop in Sydney that would be tops!!!

Thanks so much :)

Education & Work

Comments

  • afoveht on 15/10/2017 - 16:23
    +1

    Heaps are given away for free on freecycle type groups. Spend a couple hundred on delivery then a few hundred on a good tune/service and you should be set up right.

    • Starlight8 on 15/10/2017 - 17:08

      omg people give out free pianos omg!!! Thanks - I'm going to start looking :)

  • Xiaomi on 15/10/2017 - 16:36
    +8

    Purchase a decent digital piano. No need to tune it, has the weighted keys and decent resale value if you, like most others, no longer feel the need for it anymore.

    • bcarp on 15/10/2017 - 21:41

      It depends on what you want. Did you want to learn the piano, or the keyboard, or just play music in general?

      A digital piano would be okay for you now as a hobby, but won't last you into the future if you or the kids get serious about playing the piano as a piano. The problem with digital pianos is that it's just about impossible to get a bad note & this is too forgiving for bad technique. You'll get a good sound on the digital piano, but never a great sound (with today's technology; this may change in future). And the technique you learn on the digital piano will need lots of re-learning to get more than a so-so sound on an acoustic piano.

      I would advise the second-hand route. Bear in mind that a poorly maintained acoustic may need several tunings & servicings before it becomes playable.

      • airzone on 15/10/2017 - 22:25
        +1

        What do you mean by a bad note?

        • retiredfeline on 15/10/2017 - 22:39

          They're the ones that frequent disreputable songs. 😜

        • airzone on 15/10/2017 - 22:41
          +1

          Like that hooligan rock'n'roll?

        • bcarp on 15/10/2017 - 23:09

          A bad note is one with a bad tone. The attack (start of the note) might be too harsh, or the note may be too thin, etc. This might be due to pressing the key too quickly, or too slowly, or incompletely, or coming off too early, etc. It's in the subtleties of how the key is played. You won't have these problems with a digital piano… which may be a good or bad thing, depending on what you're after.

  • lupiter on 15/10/2017 - 16:55
    +3

    Yep, digital all the way. It’s too much expense to buy and maintain a good acoustic piano. I recommended some digital options in july.

    If OP really does want a second hand acoustic, take a piano tuner to look at it with you. Like getting a car inspected by a mechanic. You don’t want to spend good money only to find the piano can’t be tuned.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/10/2017 - 17:43

      If OP really does want a second hand acoustic, take a piano tuner to look at it with you.

      This. For a "free" piano, chances are high it'll need more than just a tune. Heat, humidity and lack of maintenance can cause all sorts of issues.
      Better to find a traded-in model at a music shop or a refurbed one, IMO.

      What's your budget, OP?

      • Starlight8 on 16/10/2017 - 17:39

        Hi there,

        Upon talking to my husband - he doesnt agree on getting a 'Free'one haha..

        I'm looking at under $6000, is that reasonable?

        Also, I would like an acoustic/ upright - as much as I want to save money and get an electric piano, it just doesnt sound the same.

        Thanks so much :)

        • [Deactivated] on 16/10/2017 - 18:15

          $6k should get you something reasonable either new or used.

          Just from reading around, the Japanese-built Yamaha U3s seem to be well regarded as a used piano and hold their value(ish!)but as far as what they play like, you'd be the best judge. I'm more of a digital fan. More resistant to abuse and way easier to move, LOL.

          General rule of thumb, taller uprights have longer strings and a bigger sound try lots of different models and don't be rushed into a choice. You're going to have it for a while.

          No idea about shops near you but http://www.pianoforte.com.au/ have got a few shops around Sydney. Might be a place to start if nothing else.

          Hope you find something you like!

  • dcuksuop on 15/10/2017 - 18:43

    There are lots of free uprights on Gumtree.

    • Starlight8 on 16/10/2017 - 17:40

      hahah yeh i checked, but they are very very old haha

      Also no one gives out a Kawai lol

  • grabngo on 15/10/2017 - 19:38

    I can vouch for a digital piano
    make sure it has the heavy touch keys
    this makes it feel like u actually playing the piano
    it is also more versatile and heaps cheaper too

  • airzone on 15/10/2017 - 21:39

    I have a casio privia. It feels like an upright to play, but without the keyboard moving about when you use the damper pedal.

    I was in the same boat as you. Trust me when I say this - it will take a while to get back into the swing of things - and headphones & volume knob makes life most pleasant for you and all around..

    You will probably want to go and visit a piano shop and try out a few "real" digital pianos - the ones at JB HiFi aren't much chop. You can also compare to some uprights as well.

    • Starlight8 on 16/10/2017 - 17:43
      +1

      I'm glad someone is on the same wave length.

      In my opinion, digital just doesn't sound the same to me.

      So I'm looking at getting an Acoustic.

      I've been to various piano shops:

      1. West Ryde
      2. Parramatta
      3. Carlingford
      4. Penhurst

      It seems like Carlingford and Penhurst seems most promising :)

      • airzone on 17/10/2017 - 01:43

        Shire Music in Miranda. And Piano Direction in Mt Druitt.

        Carlingford seems to have good prices. I didn't like the attitude of the guys in Penshurst though - I ended up walking out.

      • virhlpool on 30/01/2020 - 16:53

        Where did you find the cheapest price in general (for digital piano)? Thanks.

  • khued on 15/10/2017 - 22:12
    +1

    Grab a Yamaha U1 at Gospel. If you know any piano teacher, then get them to bargain for you if possible.

  • Ughhh on 15/10/2017 - 22:46
    +2

    As someone who plays piano (well kinda used to, less now days) I would pick real pianos over digital pianos any day.
    Go digital if you're starting out and just want to get a feel into music. Get real if you're serious about it.

    • Starlight8 on 16/10/2017 - 17:47

      Hi Ughh, yes I'm definitely looking at acoustic.

      Which piano do you own?

      I've been to a few shops and kinda tossing between a new one or an old one.

      BRAND NEW - Kawai ND21 is selling for around $5k - made in Indonesia

      OLD - 20 YEAR OLD PLUS Kawai or Yamaha is selling for $5k plus made in Japan.

      Which one would you choose?

      • Ughhh on 16/10/2017 - 18:52

        I have a Fukuyama & Sons, Japanese made, it's over 20yo now and I don't think they make pianos anymore (maybe was bought out).

        Sorry, I'm not very familiar with piano brands tbh, mine was bought by my parents before I was born. If you can, get a feel of the piano in person, perhaps at the music stores. I wouldn't know how to pick an acoustic piano, I just know that I hated the digital piano at school- the touch of the keys and sound.

        One thing that's good about digital is that you can adjust the volume, good if you want to practice at night.

  • Starlight8 on 16/10/2017 - 17:57

    https://carlingfordmusic.com.au/kawai-nd-21-upright-piano

    A few shops have recommended me this - when I went in the guy said, he can give it to me for around $5k :) Gotta use my ozbargaining skills more HAHAHAHHA

    • hhbb555 on 16/10/2017 - 18:06

      You need to try the pianos in person and decide yourself basically…
      The keys of kawai pianos will feel differently compared to Yamaha's
      And so is the sound.

  • Starlight8 on 31/10/2017 - 11:36
    +2

    Thanks so much everyone - I ended up buying the Kawai ND 21 :)

    • bcarp on 31/10/2017 - 12:14
      +1

      Good choice!

      I'm a Kawai person; my wife is a Yamaha person. They sound very different. IMHO, the Kawai sounds much better!

  • FattyHope on 06/11/2017 - 13:35

    Yahama or Kawai

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