New or old piano

paul m · Post by **paul m** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:24 am

I am thinking about getting a piano, should i go for a brand new one or a second hand one from a dealer?

superd2112 · Post by **superd2112** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 11:42 am

Depends, do you want classical or modern sounds? Electric or acoustic? One of my favorites is the new Korg SV-1, but there are some great deals on used stuff right now.

Klopfgeist · Post by **Klopfgeist** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 1:32 pm

Are you talking about a real acoustic piano, an electric piano (rhoads) or a digital emulation piano. If you would go the digital route, I would suggest a Macbook Pro with Native Instrumets Kontakt and maybe something like Ivory.

paul m · Post by **paul m** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 2:00 pm

An acoustic piano which i dont have to turn on or use electricity.

anoteoftruth · Post by **anoteoftruth** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:07 pm

paul m wrote:An acoustic piano which i dont have to turn on or use electricity.

Maybe you should try posting on a piano forum instead of a synth forum? Just guessing you may get more replies.

MC · Post by MC » Thu Mar 18, 2010 4:40 pm

Seeing you're in the UK you need to be very careful on the used piano market. A lot of unscrupulous makers made what are termed "bird-cage" pianos which are inferior in many ways and many techs refuse to work on them. Most of them were in the UK and were never exported. I'd seek the advice of an experienced piano tech.

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthre ... d/1#import

HB3 · Post by **HB3** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 5:59 pm

Wait a minute...aren't pianos polyphonic?

(Sorry!)

Brad · Post by **Brad** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:38 pm

The pianoworld.com forums are excellent.

A relatively recent pianio (less than 20 years) can be an excellent value.

If you are planning on spending less than US$2,500, I would focus on a new digital piano.

MC · Post by MC » Thu Mar 18, 2010 7:45 pm

HB3 wrote:Wait a minute...aren't pianos polyphonic?

(Sorry!)

Yeah but it doesn't get as good a piano sound as my minimoog

*ducks*

moremagic · Post by **moremagic** » Thu Mar 18, 2010 10:52 pm

Def be careful buying an old piano. Theres so much string tension that its not uncommon for an old one to have a warped harp on it

Just Me · Post by **Just Me** » Fri Mar 19, 2010 12:08 am

HB3 wrote:Wait a minute...aren't pianos polyphonic?

(Sorry!)

But they are mono-timbral!

I've had both new and very old pianos over the years. If it is from a good maker and has been maintained, an old one shouldn't be a problem.
Just make sure the action is level and even throughout and makes no clicks or noises. spend some time playing scales on it and feel the key action and listen to the sound. If there are problems, walk away. The are VERY expensive to fix.
(I've had good luck with Aeolian pianos and reproducers, they seem to have been made very well.)

MarbledMoog · Post by **MarbledMoog** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 5:51 am

if you have an equivalent to craigslist in the UK, look for people who are moving who are giving away pianos. While they might need to be tuned, the price for tuning is far less than buying a new upright piano. If you're looking for a baby grand or a grand, you probably wouldn't be posting here.