A Yamaha, made by Kemble

[angelo.]

Hello,

I?m beginning piano-student and I?m searching for a piano. My budget is around 3000 euro (2000 pound). For the moment I have two possibilities:

- Wend & Lung 122. (Price = 3000 euro) Big beautiful piano, small price (made in China). Liked the feeling when I played it.

- Yamaha v114 (2600 euro), a 2nd hand piano, 4 years old. I don?t find a lot of information about this piano, they don?t make them anymore. I know it was made in the factory of Kemble. I liked the tone more than the W&L. But there?s one thing that worries me a little bit: the bass-tones sounded too ?heavy? (can?t find the right word, but I guess you know what I mean).

If anyone can give me more info about the V-series of Yamaha...

[PianoGuy]

If anyone can give me more info about the V-series of Yamaha...

The V-Series ( "V" was meant to stand for "Vienna") was Yamaha's attempt to build a more European sounding piano, as you say, built in the UK Kemble factory. Actions, frames and keys were from Japan, but the soundboard and hammers were European. They are well-made pianos, but their styling was a bit too "Schimmel" for British tastes and in this respect they were unsuccessful. They may appeal to residents of mainland Europe more than they did to us, and the range has now been quietly dropped from the catalogue in favour of the P-series. Where are you writing from?

The W&L122 is visually more successful in this exercise, being actually designed in Vienna, but built in China. As a piano, latest models are best. Early examples are OK, but suffer from flimsy casework in the places where it doesn't show!

Either piano would be a good buy for 3,000 Euro, so go for the one you like best.

[angelo.]

Thanks for the reply,

I'm posting from (Flemish) Belgium.

The Yamaha v114 is/was a piano of a higher price-range. Does that mean that the quality is better than the W&L?

I know it's normal a smaller piano has less bass but my concern is that they will annoy me in the future... Still like the general sound very much.

The owner of the store said it's all a matter of taste... I guess: I will have to make the decision: pffffw.

[PianoGuy]

The Yamaha v114 is/was a piano of a higher price-range. Does that mean that the quality is better than the W&L?

Build quality of the V is arguably better, but design of the W&L is a good one! The extra height helps too.

It's over to you!

[angelo.]

I tried to make a descission!

I will rent a piano a W&L when I am starting the 2nd school-year.

Because I'm house-hunting for the moment and I don't feel like moving a piano (certainly not after I googled for info about this subject and found some horror-stories about it).