Trying to decide what to buy....

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 19 Apr 2007, 15:34

This week's dilemma of interstellar and generally cosmic proportions:

D'ya reckon I'd be better of buying a new C3 or a 1968 G3 which needs restoration work on the soundboard, new hammers and case repolishing? G3 is going for £3500 without restoration; would you spend the money to get it up to standard or just buy a new C3?

Your thoughts would be gratefully received.

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 19 Apr 2007, 19:31

'68 G3 TOO OLD!!!!

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 19 Apr 2007, 20:08

There is a C3 conservatory grand at Music Box Manchester for £2900 (You may be able to haggle on that) the serial number was 389.... or something 1976-8 ish it needs new hammers – rollers and could do with new bass strings I spent 4 hours on it Yesterday trying to get the misshaped hammers in to something better, but they are just too far gone its sounds OK but not like it should do, plays better than it did has been used in a Jazz club or something its worth a look at

I would put a set of hammers with Wurzen felt on if it was me

Barrie,

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 20 Apr 2007, 00:01

PG and Barrie - thanks for your answers. I'll have a look at that C3, Barrie. How much would it cost (ballpark) to do that kind of restoration work?

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 26 Apr 2007, 20:17

Openwood wrote:PG and Barrie - thanks for your answers. I'll have a look at that C3, Barrie. How much would it cost (ballpark) to do that kind of restoration work?

A few grand to do it properly. I had a flyer in the mail this week from Pianoforte who are based in Oxfordshire. It seems that their Bristol branch has a sale this weekend with a few C3s in it. Too far away for me, but may be worth a punt if you're closer.

It'd be cheaper and more satisfactory in the long run to buy a better piano to start with than to lark about renovating one that needs work. For one thing, you'd know what it sounds and plays like from day one, rather than hoping for a good result. Admittedly if the work is done well you should be happy, but there's no way of predicting exactly how it will sound. If you're restoring an old Bechy or Blüthner, this is vaguely acceptable, since nobody is still alive who can recall what they sounded like new.

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 26 Apr 2007, 20:37

Openwood wrote:PG and Barrie - thanks for your answers. I'll have a look at that C3, Barrie. How much would it cost (ballpark) to do that kind of restoration work?

Well you can do it in stages action then strings, all depend what hammers you go for and who is woing on it. On the cheep a few K on each. A good set of new hammers, shanks and rollers can cost £1000.00 but if money is not the main issue. its is far better to buy a piano that you like than to buy a piano that needs lot of work, as you may not like the end result

Barrie,

PianoGuy · Post by **PianoGuy** » 26 Apr 2007, 20:40

Barrie Heaton wrote: its is far better to buy a piano that you like than to buy a piano that needs lot of work, as you may not like the end result

Barrie,

That's exactly what I was trying to say Barrie, except you said it in fewer than thirty words to my hundred-odd!

Post by **Barrie Heaton** » 26 Apr 2007, 20:58

PianoGuy wrote:
Barrie Heaton wrote: its is far better to buy a piano that you like than to buy a piano that needs lot of work, as you may not like the end result

Barrie,
That's exactly what I was trying to say Barrie, except you said it in fewer than thirty words to my hundred-odd!

My grasp on Grammar is not as eloquent as yours, so I keep it short and sweet

lindsayh · Post by **lindsayh** » 27 Apr 2007, 21:22

Hi Openwood,

If you are looking for a good buy, the Bristol piano co. have got some really good deals on this weekend. I didn't notice anything quite as cheap as the second hand C3 that Barrie mentioned above, but If you live anywhere nearby you should take a look. I had a field day in there today when I was looking!

Have you tried the Kawais? what do you think of them?

Openwood · Post by **Openwood** » 28 Apr 2007, 07:50

lindsayh:

Thanks for the Bristol Piano Co. info, I'll give them a call today. I've tried a couple of Kawai pianos - a baby grand which was too 'boxy' for my liking (but that's just the nature of baby grands, I guess) and a 6-footer which was very good. I'd be happy to have the 6ft one. The thing with Kawai is that they used to make these nasty electronic organs and I've never managed to shake that image out of my mind. Totally illogical, I know. Whenever I think of Kawai an 8-beat swing rhythm starts in my head - it's the little people who control my mind you know, MWAH HAH HAH...