Upright piano - 131 cm - what to buy?

Seabagg · Post by **Seabagg** » 09 Feb 2007, 20:03

I'm looking to buy a 131cm upright piano and would appreciate some pointers on what makes and models to consider. My budget is up to £5.5K. I had hopes of buying a U3 but am completely disillusioned by the market for these at the moment with all the price-cutting and uncertainty of quality (in terms of preparation etc) that this brings. (In any case, my local Yamaha dealer won't stock them any more because they're fed up too.)

Any recommendations? The Kemble Conservatoire has a shorter string length but I'd be interested to hear what people think of it.

S.

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 09 Feb 2007, 20:20

Seabagg wrote:I'm looking to buy a 131cm upright piano and would appreciate some pointers on what makes and models to consider. My budget is up to ?5.5K. I had hopes of buying a U3 but am completely disillusioned by the market for these at the moment with all the price-cutting and uncertainty of quality (in terms of preparation etc) that this brings. (In any case, my local Yamaha dealer won't stock them any more because they're fed up too.)

Any recommendations? The Kemble Conservatoire has a shorter string length but I'd be interested to hear what people think of it.

S.

Word!!

I tuned a Cons this very day and found it to be a real gem. Better than recent U1s.

sirprize · Post by **sirprize** » 12 Feb 2007, 19:50

I was looking for a 131 cms upright for some time last year (I eventually bought a 1920s Bechstein Model C grand instead)

I was very impressed by the Kemble 131 http://www.uk-piano.org/kemble/kemble-k131-piano.html and I got very close to buying the last new Kemble Quantum (first series) which had a sostenuto BUT it had been knocked about in the shop quite a bit http://www.jimlaabspianos.com/upright/k ... uantum.htm

I also tried the Kawai K-6 & K-8 but to my mind they're too bland and uninteresting a sound. I'm unconvinced by the Yamaha U3 & U5 too because they're just so varied and I don't like their 'feel'. I've read good things about the Petrof 131s and the 135. Some of the Chinese-sourced pianos are now very good particularly if they've been properly set-up prior to sale but I don't know a 131cm one

Perhaps what I would consider is buy a full size s/h upright privately or at auction and have it completely rebuilt/restored. I'm going to have my old Chappell upright restored!!

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 12 Feb 2007, 20:05

sirprize wrote:
I was very impressed by the Kemble 131 http://www.uk-piano.org/kemble/kemble-k131-piano.html and I got very close to buying the last new Kemble Quantum (first series) which had a sostenuto BUT it had been knocked about in the shop quite a bit http://www.jimlaabspianos.com/upright/k ... uantum.htm

That can be fixed I am surprised that the shop has not done it and they are a nice piano – The Kemble Mozart is also worth looking at, like the Quantum it is limited edition and they get to spend more time on them in the factory
This place has them http://www.countrywidepianos.co.uk/kemb ... -K121.html
They also stock Bechstein and Yamaha so you can do a side by site they did have one of the black Mozart’s in

Barrie,

abc1337 · Post by **abc1337** » 14 Dec 2007, 18:31

I've just got back from Prague, having had a go on one of these in a local music store there: http://www.petrof.com/upright-piano-pet ... 31-m1.html

very nice sound to my very beginner's ears - I too am looking over the next 4 months or so to get a 131cm upright, and am keen to read re any suggestions...

Obviously looking also at Kemble etc... and i know the best thing is to go play em until i find one I like - but things like reliability etc are always worth commenting on...

regards

andy

sussexpianos · Post by **sussexpianos** » 14 Dec 2007, 19:26

def. try a Kawai K6 at around £5,800RRp
The Kemble 131 is nice but pricey. The Kemble Motzart is very nice, if they have some still available as its limted to 250 units.
A Samick 131WSU is nice and a little cheaper at around £5k.
A secondhand U3/ U3X 5million upwards (from 1990)
Remember, each piano is different so try loads!
if you go to a shop which has technical backup, they will get it regulated and the toning sorted ( toning might be extra)

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 14 Dec 2007, 20:44

sussexpianos wrote:The Kemble Motzart is very nice, if they have some still available as its limted to 250 units.

It is very nice, but it's only a U1 based piano, ie 121cm.

Whoever suggested a Petrof is just wrong.

abc1337 · Post by **abc1337** » 15 Dec 2007, 11:31

"Whoever suggested a Petrof is just wrong"

Why?

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 15 Dec 2007, 15:18

abc1337 wrote:"Whoever suggested a Petrof is just wrong"

Why?

Petrof and Weinbach are from the same factory.

Read on..

sussexpianos · Post by **sussexpianos** » 15 Dec 2007, 16:23

I agree with PG, I used to be a tech for a piano shop who stocked Petrof and they always needed loads of regulating and I couldn't see where the extra money went?
The Petrofs would be OK if they dropped the price and stopped trying put themselves on a higher level than what they should be. Kembles are better built and a little cheaper than Petrof, and ofcourse they are British built!
A couple of more posts and I get my century

do I get a badge?

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 15 Dec 2007, 18:01

sussexpianos wrote: The Petrofs would be OK if they dropped the price and stopped trying put themselves on a higher level than what they should be.

My thoughts exactly.

About £2k would be adequate.

abc1337 · Post by **abc1337** » 15 Dec 2007, 20:12

Ah,
gotya now - you are both saying the Petrof's are too highly priced for what they are - fair enough.

I was looking at Yamaha, Kawai and Kemble - I'll take the next step when the funds are available and go and play some of them...(my budget is around £5k)

Thanks for the advice...any other makes I need to factor in at that price?

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Upright piano - 131 cm - what to buy?

Upright piano - 131 cm - what to buy?

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