starter piano

juliafranks · Post by **juliafranks** » 27 Jan 2005, 15:41

Hi there
we are just looking to buy our first piano - I have four children the oldest of whom is seven and about to start lessons.
I have been recommended an upright Reid-Sohn - the tall one - I'm sorry can't remember the model number. It's about &3,500. I have since heard all sorts of disparaging comments about these pianos being 'made in Korea' (is that a bad thing?) and the fact that they are apparently made 'of composite wood' 'not value for money' 'no resale value'..'not a name brand' etc.
Can anyone advise on this? They seemed so decent at their warehouse! And Reid-Sohn are very well-established..which is confusing if their pianos aren't of good quality.

Many thanks
Julia

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 27 Jan 2005, 21:29

First off all upright pianos use MDF for the case parts they would be too expensive if they use solid wood

Reid-Sohn are not first division but they are not bad for the price However, I would shop around you can get a Reid-Sohn 121, high gloss in black. For as little as £2,495 and for 3,700.00 you could have a Yamaha U1 or Yamaha P121NT for 3,009.00 which are very nice

Barrie,

juliafranks · Post by **juliafranks** » 27 Jan 2005, 22:02

Thanks so much for replying so quickly.
I'm going to find out the model number of the reid-Sohn I looked at and get back to you. Someone said that the extra height of the upright is really important because of the increased length of the strings (? sorry this is all brand new to me!). hence you get a bigger sound - like a baby grand.
Are Yamahas good? I know it's all a matter of taste, but I've heard they sound metallic and tinny. What does that mean??
All pianos sound lovely to me, if you can play them!!

Thanks for the info about MDF. It was a rather snotty woman at Harrods who told me they 'don't deal with that end of the market' and that reid sohn's are made from composite wood. I had a feeling her pianos were too!
Thanks again - great website, by the way

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 27 Jan 2005, 22:30

juliafranks wrote:Thanks so much for replying so quickly.
I'm going to find out the model number of the reid-Sohn I looked at and get back to you. Someone said that the extra height of the upright is really important because of the increased length of the strings (? sorry this is all brand new to me!). hence you get a bigger sound - like a baby grand.
Are Yamahas good? I know it's all a matter of taste, but I've heard they sound metallic and tinny. What does that mean??
All pianos sound lovely to me, if you can play them!!

The bigger the better as to tone it is all down to personal preference the Yamaha P121NT has a softer tone or you could try the Kemble K131
http://www.uk-piano.org/kemble/K131.html

At the end of the day if you like the sound, it fits in with your décor and the price is good go for it…… it is you who will be playing it not them

juliafranks wrote: Thanks for the info about MDF. It was a rather snotty woman at Harrods who told me they 'don't deal with that end of the market' and that reid sohn's are made from composite wood. I had a feeling her pianos were too!
Thanks again - great website, by the way

Well the woman is clueless Harrods do stock the cheep end of the piano trade, they stock Fazers or they use to of course more expensive than anyone else but you are paying for the well trained sales staff and the sticker. What was she trying to sell you anyway

juliafranks · Post by **juliafranks** » 27 Jan 2005, 22:55

A Bechstein! Not very appropriate for my seven year old..

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 27 Jan 2005, 23:08

A Bechstein?! Very nice, but you don't need an Aston Martin to learn to drive...

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 27 Jan 2005, 23:44

As Gill has pointed out a bit over the top at least your have one advantage over most you have four children who will try the piano, if you were just buying for one there is always the possibility that the only person playing the piano is the duster in 12 months.

I don’t know the size of your house but if you were in a mind to buy the Bechstein you could buy a small midrange grand for the same price, which would have the same effect on the eyebrows for someone walking in to the room as a 17 year old learning to drive in an Aston Martin

Pianos do keep there value and the more upmarket ones more so, that is only important if you intend selling it - a good quality piano will serve your grand children.

Barrie,

juliafranks · Post by **juliafranks** » 27 Jan 2005, 23:59

There is no way on earth we would buy a Bechstein!!
(Not until my children turn out to be prodigies anyway!!!)
The Harrods lady was just enjoying being superior about my question about whether they sold Reid-Sohns.

Thanks so much for your replies and advice.
I'll carry on researching tomorrow..It's all very time-consuming but good fun.

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 28 Jan 2005, 00:53

Since your kids are only just starting you can afford to buy out of the box.
Go to Chappell’s of Bond street and try the Yamaha P121NT if you like it or see a different Yamaha you like take note of the model

Get on the net and go here www.chamberlainmusic.com see what they can do it for but remember to ask if it includes delivery and a tuning then go here www.pianoplus.co.uk/ and ask him if he can beat the price you will end up with a very good piano and as much as 40% of the RRP if you play it right.

Barrie,

Post by **Gill the Piano** » 28 Jan 2005, 18:04

Also 'Pianoforte' based in Faringdon, Oxfordshire are very competitive on price - I've never found cheaper in the south of England, anyway, and can recommend them for service; delivery and after-sales tunings are usually included.