Hello, i am in the market to buy a second hand piano. Basically I have narrowed down to Yamaha U1, U3 or Kawai K series.
These 3 second hand pianos were shortlisted and I would like to know which of these would be a preferred choice.
1. Yamaha U10A Serial number 49XXXXX range.
2. Yamaha U30BL Serial number 45XXXXX range.
3. Kawai K50 (about 2 years old)
The 2 yamahas are roughly the same price while the Kawai cost about 300POUNDS more.
Thanks
Advice for 2nd hand pianos
Moderators: Feg, Gill the Piano, Melodytune
It's really down to whichever you like the best, but here's what I think.
The Yamahas at least seem to be grey imports, and I'd guess that the Kawai is not. This means that someone was dissatisfied with the Kawai, and rightly so. Whilst it is not a bad piano and a huge improvement over its lacklustre predecessors, it's still a bit on the rattly side, and the latest K series with single numbers represents a huge leap in quality over these.
This leaves us with the two Yammies, and it's all down to condition, whether you like them and price. I'd pay no more than £3,250 including VAT, delivery and initial tuning for one that's so perfect it would take its own mother to realise that it wasn't brand new. Typically, a piano of this age should be worth £2,900. If your dealer isn't VAT registered, shave off 17.5%.
If you really like the Kawai, and are not precious about the odd rattle, the dealer will realise that it'll stick on the showroom floor, so that £300 premium over the Yams should go for a start!
The Yamahas at least seem to be grey imports, and I'd guess that the Kawai is not. This means that someone was dissatisfied with the Kawai, and rightly so. Whilst it is not a bad piano and a huge improvement over its lacklustre predecessors, it's still a bit on the rattly side, and the latest K series with single numbers represents a huge leap in quality over these.
This leaves us with the two Yammies, and it's all down to condition, whether you like them and price. I'd pay no more than £3,250 including VAT, delivery and initial tuning for one that's so perfect it would take its own mother to realise that it wasn't brand new. Typically, a piano of this age should be worth £2,900. If your dealer isn't VAT registered, shave off 17.5%.
If you really like the Kawai, and are not precious about the odd rattle, the dealer will realise that it'll stick on the showroom floor, so that £300 premium over the Yams should go for a start!
Yes, 5 million serial number is best, but anything after 4 million will do. The frame design and other bits changed at that point on the U1, slightly earlier on the U3. The newer the better of course, but the range of the ones you're looking at aren't disastrous.jach1970 wrote:Thanks for your valuable input.
Yes, the yammies are from grey market. Originally used in Japan.
What do you think about the age of the yammies ranging from 17 - 20 years? I've been told to stick to one that is below 10years?