Good price for a Welmar?

[danhume]

Dear All

I've been offered a five-year-old Welmar for £1450 and I'm wondering if this is a good price. The seller has suggested that the same piano would go for up to £3000 if sold through a dealer.

It plays well and looks in good nick, although obviously I won't part with any cash before I've got a tuner to take a look at the insides. What I'm really wondering is if the Welmar name carries any particular weight that would make it a better deal than any generic, foreign-made pianos that I could get secondhand for the same price. Alternatively a piano shop nearby is selling new Waldsteins for around £1600, so would one of these be a better bet in the long run?

I've never owned a piano before although I am serious about playing so I want something to last a good few years.

Thanks in advance for any opinions on this.

Dan

[Barrie Heaton]

The Welmar is a better buy than the new Waldsteins, Welmar were the top of the UK pianos in there day they did go down hill when they moved form London but even the ones from BPM were better than Waldsteins, Welmars are no longer made

As to price possibly the piano may go for that in a shop down south but up here 2,500 tops if the tuner says the pianos is sound I would go for it

Barrie,

[Gill the Piano]

Depends on the dealer; it sounds like the price some of the more expensive dealers near London might charge, certainly. I like the Welmar piano, as you've got the power available with the control to play softly if you want to. I've often said that if I had to have a modern piano on under five grand I'd go for a nice Welmar!

[danhume]

Thanks to both of you for the advice and very quick replies! I am indeed in London, so the dealer prices are at the top end -- all the more reason for me to try and jump on this one while I have the chance.

When I tried it out yesterday it did seem to have a lovely tone when played softly, I didn't realize that was a particular characteristic of Welmars but it's one of the things I liked about it.

Going back there with a tuner tomorrow afternoon; I'll keep you posted on what he says...