Need help to buy a standup piano

k0tuynh

Hi all,

Not sure if this is a right forum. If not, Mod please delete the post.

I need a standup piano for my daughter. Budget is about 2K max.

Please give me some inputs.

Thanks

j allen

They're wayyyyy out of your price range new, but if you can find a good deal used, get a Steinway. (Steinway and Sons) We had a Steinway baby grand when I was growing up; They are beautiful instruments.

There's one on ebay right now just under 2k. Probably an arm and a leg for freight shipping, but here's a link anyway.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Rosewood-Steinway-Sons-Upright-Piano-/350364707261?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51935d29bd

I don't know a whole lot else about pianos. I'll ask my mom next time she comes by. She's a concert pianist, and probably has some more insight.

k0tuynh

wow...didn't know it costs that much.
What can I buy with 2k? My daughter is taking piano lesson. I want to give her a piano so she can practice at home.

BottomFeeder

If you live near Spokane, WA, we've got a standup that we can part with. Shoot me a pm if you're interested.

j allen

k0tuynh wrote: »

wow...didn't know it costs that much.
What can I buy with 2k? My daughter is taking piano lesson. I want to give her a piano so she can practice at home.

Another option that I, for reasons unbeknownst to me, didn't mention: thrift store. You could pick up a junker for 100-200 dollars, and pay a professional piano tuner another 300-700 to fix up the guts and keys for you. Tidy up the appearance with some sandpaper, stain or varnish or whatever your preference, and elbow grease. End result: under 1k for exactly what you need.

Also, have you tried asking the piano teacher for recommendations? They probably know better than a bunch of speaker nuts.

LessisNevermore

Where are you located?

k0tuynh

LessisNevermore wrote: »

Where are you located?

Bay Area, CA bro

edbert

You should be able to pick up a decent upright for less than $2K. Check craigslist to see what is out there. Also find a local piano tuner and ask them what they could recommend for your price range. They may even know of someone wanting to sell their piano just due to the nature of the business they are in.

Good luck!

nadams

I see them in the paper for free all the time around here. Of course, you can't be sure of what you're going to get, but what are you out to go look at it? If they're like my dad, they give the piano away for free because they don't want to move it again. We had a gorgeous late 1800's cabinet grand that my dad gave away, for FREE. I could still punch him for that... but then he'd kick my ****.

k0tuynh

Thanks everyone for your recommendations. I have a question, How does a digital piano sound? say a Yamaha digital piano. They are within my price range.

VR3

Dude

I've sold musical instruments for close to five years. Do yourself a favor and buy a 40 pound, beautiful digital piano from Yamaha.

They literally just came out with the YDP-V240 and I can get you a tax free, free shipping deal on one. For 1799.99 it has the YPG-635 interface (best selling keyboard for the last 4 years) but the hardwood look, key cover, three pedal unit - its great.

concealer404

For an upright in that price range, you should be able to get a nice Kawaii or Yamaha.

I LOVE Kawaii uprights. Great action, nice clean sound, and they look fantastic, too. I'm not a fan of Steinway uprights, but their grands are great.

Phil Dawson

Second on the idea of an electronic keyboard. They never have to be tuned, you can get weighted keys that feel like a "regular" piano. They can be fairly portable - try moving an upright upstairs or down stairs - You can adjust the volume and even use headphones so no-one else is disturbed. You can make it sound like other instruments and create really cool sounds to make things fun. She can hook it up to a computer and do all sorts of really cool stuff (that is another whole discussion on it's own). Plus it will work in a rock band that you can host in your garage. Just my 2 cents, Good Luck, Phil

Pycroft

I hate digital pianos, but I'm a snob. Best idea for an upright piano (NOT a Steinway - I'm not even sure they make uprights) is to check local listings. Many times, colleges and universities that have music departments sell used ones quite cheap. It usually comes tuned and worked up. That's what I would do. For 2k, you can get a nice Yamaha upright piano that will last a VERY long time. Best of luck.

James

concealer404

Pycroft wrote: »

I hate digital pianos, but I'm a snob. Best idea for an upright piano (NOT a Steinway - I'm not even sure they make uprights) is to check local listings. Many times, colleges and universities that have music departments sell used ones quite cheap. It usually comes tuned and worked up. That's what I would do. For 2k, you can get a nice Yamaha upright piano that will last a VERY long time. Best of luck.

James

Steinway does make uprights, and unfortunately, they don't deserve the same reputation as their grands.

madmax

Check out estate sales in your area.

j allen

concealer404 wrote: »

Steinway does make uprights, and unfortunately, they don't deserve the same reputation as their grands.

That being the case, I'll retract my previous suggestion. I only have experience with their grands. My main experience with uprights is getting them from goodwill, then getting them tuned up and such.

bobman1235

If you're just getting it for your kid and it won't be a major centerpiece to a room (IE it would have to be in good cosmetic shape) I guarantee you you can find one for free. We got one for free when I was younger, it cost us a few hundred to move it and a few hundred to have it tuned. When we moved out several years later, we gave it away just like we had gotten it.

If she ever gets really serious then you can look into getting a nice piece, but for a little kid to practice on? Free.

k0tuynh

After doing extensive research , I have my eyes on this one:

http://www.jimlaabsmusic.com/used-instruments/used-pianos/used-upright-pianos/kawai-us5x-professional-upright-piano/prod_4097.html

What do you guys think?

Thanks

edbert

It's a really nice piano but WAY more than you need if your daughter is just learning and she is the only one that plays. I did a quick look around craigslist in your area and there are a few for free and plenty good one for less than a grand. Someone correct me if I am wrong but this Wurlitzer would be a pretty good buy. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/msg/1796222928.html

vc69

Unless you intend to purchase a piece of furniture/heirloom, or another family member plays, a good used piece is highly recommended. If she turns out to be a prodigy, then you can buy a really nice piano. Otherwise, you may be wasting money. Sometimes kids just don't "take to it".

k0tuynh

Thanks everyone for inputs. I need to do some thinking )
4K for brand new Kawai = pair of Dynaudio for me
btw, my daughter is only 6 yrs old. She just starts taking class so I guess "used" piano is a way to go for now.

Phil Dawson

At 6 years old I'd really look into the digital variety and I bet you can get get something very adequate for a few HUNDRED bucks and still be able to be close to getting your gear. Good luck, Phil

rooftop59

At six years old with her just starting out, I would definitely get her a keyboard. I grew up playing the sax and guitar, and my sisters both took piano lessons before eventually picking up horns, and neither really stuck with the piano just like I didn't stick with the guitar until much later on. Unless someone else in the house plays or is planning on picking it up, I would not make a large investment.

Having said that, my wife (whose parents are both music teachers) has a Steinway and Sons upright that the rents got at an estate sale in Phoenix for 700 bones that could have easily sold for twice that much. She loves it, and it looks great in our music room without taking up too much space. So I personally would not invest a lot in a digital piano right now because you miss out on the great look, feel, and sound of an acoustic. I say get her a used keyboard and see if she sticks with it.
Peace,
Paul

polkfarmboy

I love my piano .....when I mess around on it I wonder if any speakers or components can reproduce the sweet warmth

tcrossma

About 6 months ago we bought a brand new Hallet Davis on sale for a little over $1000. We bought it mainly to give our kids a chance at getting into playing.

I'm no piano expert, but I must say that it's a very nice looking and feeling piece. I considered used, but worried about tuning and repair costs. For the price, we got exactly what I was hoping for.

I have also been told that a digital piano was not the best for someone learning, as they just don't have the "feel" of an acoustic piano, even those that simulate the feel. I don't really play, so I don't know if this is necessarily true or not, but it made some sense to me.

madmax

A real piano might be a plus since the keys have their own feel and such. Pressing most digital keyboard keys is unrealistic unless you spend a lot of money.

Here is another thought, buy a pro digital high end piano used. You will be able to sell it later at about the same price you bought it for.

madmax

Zero wrote: »

You're looking at spending 2k for a 6 year old? Really? How about buying a cheap Yamaha keyboard from best buy for a few hundred bucks - and sending me the rest of the cash.

Are you trying to tell us you were not born with a silver spoon in your mouth?

Pleaaasssssseeeeee...

k0tuynh

Zero wrote: »

You're looking at spending 2k for a 6 year old? Really? How about buying a cheap Yamaha keyboard from best buy for a few hundred bucks - and sending me the rest of the cash.

We have Casio Keyboard, but the instruction told us it doesn't have enough key (88 keys? I have no idea), and she recommended us getting a standup or upright piano.