challen 988 - suitable for a beginner?

[jackcelt]

Hi,

My little girl is learning to play piano, but we have quickly realised that the little keyboard she is practising on is hardly inspiring her. We have been offered Challen 988 for a few hundred pounds. It appears to be in good working order and sounds pretty good, but we are not sure if it's really suitable for a 6 year old. I know Challen are a reputable make but would appreciate some advice on if its a good starter piano for my liitle girl.

Any advice will be appreciated!

[Barrie Heaton]

Challen made some very nice pianos, if it is in good working order and will tune up to pitch it will serve you well

However, pay a tuner to go and look at it before you buy

Barrie,

[joe]

Get a tuner to check over,for £300 seems a decent price and should take her the whole way through if properly maintained.

[joseph]

Yeah it will be fine for a beginner, and you should manage to go up to grade 8 on it. If she shows talent and develops faster than you expect then you can think about something better when the time comes, but I'd recommend it at that price and for that playing level any day. It will certainly take her further than a digital piano IMHO.

[jackcelt]

Thanks for all the advice, sounds like we have struck lucky! I will let you know how it goes

[Colin Nicholson]

Piano sounds good & ideal for a beginner.

Make sure though you get a reasonable adjustable piano stool for your daughter - at the age of 6, she will need to be raised up quite high, between 54-56cm. Also if her feet dont touch the floor (which they wont if she is sitting correctly), to support her back & shoulders, get a box for her to put her feet on. At this early age, the deportment & posture if very important. Also have your piano tuned every 6-8 months if possible.

Hope that helps.....

[joseph]

I went through all the grades on a 1950s Challen. Happy memories. I still have the piano, but it is TOTALLY clapped out now. Then, it DID get a good two to four hours per day work out for about 8 years, with only tunings and regulations carried out twice a year.

I wonder if it would rebuild, or at least, become more functional again?