What first, the piano or the concert?

Ok, I really should be working, so we will attempt to keep this brief. First, the piano. I liked this other dealer better, and he got within $100 of the other guy who I am so tired of dealing with. So, that is great! He didn't have the right finish in stock, so we are going to have to order the right one. Fine, great. Now I just have to wrangle the cash and we are off to the races!

Now I have to find a polite way to call the other dealer and tell him that we won't be doing business. Perhaps then he will stop calling. Or perhaps then he will call twice as often with more price reductions. Ugh.

So, neat thing was that the Kawai that I liked (not loved) was there, and my husband got to play both. The hubs is remembering more and more piano every time we shop and I am afraid he is going to be fighting me for time when it finally shows up! He is wicked excited and agreed that the K3 was fine, but we really preferred the Walter. ALSO, this one was nicely voiced (a little brighter than the first) and had been tuned, and sounded the way we felt the other one SHOULD have sounded with a little work. We are really excited! It's been so much fun and I am feeling like I really am getting a piano that will work for us. The hubs wants to learn duets (we are so dorky)so we can gross all of our friends out with our cuteness. Sweet! Now we just have to seal the deal next week and sit around waiting for the delivery from Walter. It was so great to play the Kawai and Walter side by side. Also, this Walter had the Renner action which we DID NOT prefer (?) so we are actually ordering the new one with the Walter action. Crazy, but true. If you reject this notion, speak now or forever hold your peace! Money will be transacting within a week or so! It's funny, someone told me here that eventually a piano would 'follow me home'- and that feels true. When we played the Walter this week, we just looked at each other and it was over- there were no questions. It's just perfect.

(On a side note, we played a Walter grand there and was a bit underwhelmed. I think it was sort of milk toast, which is a typical Walter criticism. I didn't expect that but found it interesting since the upright is officially our winner...)

Anyhow, it was truly worth the trip. Now that we are ordering it is tempting to have them do a custom finish, but I am going to control myself and just take the lovely black satin! I am sure this is not my last post, but I should take this chance to thank all of you. The little virtual piano world here is amazing, and I don't think I could be bringing this beauty into my life with such joy without this! How else could I have learned so much in such a short time? How else could I have know what to look at, and how to navigate budget increases without that being totally arbitrary? I could not have. You are all my teachers, and I am absolutely in your debt. Thank you so much, this has been great. Even my husband said yesterday in the car that 'he had really enjoyed this adventure'. Me too. Thanks so much for helping to make it a journey and exploration and not, well, a bad episode of 'Survivor'. I can't wait to post pictures when it gets here! Anyhow, you are all the best, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time out of your life to help me.

Now, the concert. Awesome stuff, though Elton looked under the weather. From a piano spying perspective, it was fun to watch the Yamaha vs. Steinway face-off that is a John/Joel concert! We were stunned by how different they were, and surprised that we might not have noticed if we had gone last year. Now we are so tuned in to these things its crazy! We kept whining that we wanted more close up shots of their hands. Got a lot of Elton, but not Billy

The weather was great, the music was wonderful, though the crowd was far too mellow for my taste (If I spend a few hundred dollars, I want to PARTY!! I am not a 'sitter' at these shows. My apologies to all of you I have blocked over the years. I just can't contain myself ). I would not suggest Gillette Stadium to anyone though, as we spent about 6 hours in traffic /waiting to leave the parking lot. We were an hour late because the last five miles of the trip + parking took (no kidding) about 2+ hours. Who could anticipate that? And then we slept in our car for 3.5 hours in the parking lot after the show because traffic was at a total standstill. Truthfully, the acoustics at the stadium weren't ideal either and the piano was drowned out a lot, so really, it was sort of mixed bag. The performance was fantastic, but the transportation logistics were the worst I have ever seen, and I am a New Yorker (or at least I was a NYer...)I may go again to the show in Albany to have the full experience, as indoor venues have generally better acoustics. Ok, I know that was a diversion, but for those of you hanging out here, I did promise a recap!

Now the only question left is, after I get the piano, how long before I can play Bennie & the Jets well enough to enjoy myself

Congratulations,

I'm sure your Walter with the Walter action will be just fine.
Perhaps I will purchase one and check it out so I can compare.
Regarding the Walter grand, what model did you play and was it the tone or the action that did not overwhelm you?

From your comments on the upright you seem to indicate you like a brighter tone, something I hope not to associate with the grands.

Enjoy

It was the tone that I was not so in love with, and I do like the Walters on the bright side of things, so likely, this would not be a complaint for a fan of the mellower Walter sound :)In all fairness, we didn't put it through it's paces since it wasn't a real contender. I think it was a 175.

My husband thought the Walter action was lighter than the Renner; I couldn't articulate it that way, I just remembering it felt really responsive and sensitive in a way I didn't feel on anything else, and that I didn't feel on the Renner. My hubs grew up on a Yamaha, and so that will have effected his preference for what perhaps is a lighter touch on the Walter. It's definitely worth checking out. The price point difference certainly didn't hurt our decision, either. Compelling. Hope I am not here posting in five years about that 'blasted newfangled Walter action' blowing up or something. Larry Fine doubted it, so I am going on faith that it will be a good choice!

Congratulations, lvp, on your piano! IMO, you conducted your search in exactly the right way... not rushing, and finding a dealer you are comfortable working with.

We want to see pics of the piano, and even better, a video of you and the hubby playing a duet.

Welcome back, LVP!

1. Excellent choice!. The Walter 1500 is a wonderful piano! (So why didn't I buy one? When the rumored 50" Walter shows up, maybe I'll upgrade!) I have great faith that the Walter action will be just fine. You went with the right dealer, too. It's good to like/trust your dealer. Now you have to decide who's going to maintain the new Walter. He's more important than the dealer. (By the way, if the action quits in 5 years, it'll still be under warranty. :D)

2. When the other dealer calls, just tell him you've already bought a piano. If he asks what you bought, tell him. Uh, you can disregard that advice, if you think best. Maybe you should call him during dinner to tell him you don't need any more calls.

3. You and Hubs will be cute as kittens playing duets, just like Edith and Archie. Just thumb-tack your piano times schedule on the wall by the piano to be sure you both get in your practice.

4. I'm really sorry about the logistics for the concert. I Hate Traffic!! Small town, you know. However, "Bennie and The Jets" and "A New York State of Mind" in the same concert sounds right awesome.

5. So, when is the new baby due?

Charles

Such a satisfying story, Ivp. Thanks for sharing your experience. Yeah, we want those duet pictures. I'm proud of you for getting what sounded and felt best to you

As long as Rod's on the line... maybe you can clarify if the 'Walter action' is still made by Langer and is now made in China. Also, someone posted that they like the Walter 1520. I looked up the specs, and can't tell any difference between it and the 1500... but I'm curious.

The piano will probably take three weeks from Walter, and then another week or two before they can install the piano saver and make it up to Vermont. Blessedly, the local delivery should be fast, and Walter comes to New England frequently as they also do other deliveries (my guess would be fine old furniture to saltboxes and capes...) This may be the only instance where I am glad I live here and not San Diego.

OMG, that's freaking September. Please let's all agree not to mention that again- I hadn't thought about it in that way. Well, at least my new sofa and paint job in my living room will be done and the piano will just complete the entire thing. Funny, just like getting a nursery together! Never thought I'd name my baby Charles, but hey, life is strange

I promise that the hubs and I will post a duet of some kind after we get into a groove! Warning: It might have to be Heart and Soul

I talked to Richard at Walter pianos today. They just got back from the PTG conference where they were showcasing their products. They had great reviews and interest on the new smaller keyboard that is being installed for those that like smaller keys.

He also said they had fill in staff answering the calls at the factory and that may be a reason for the less than perfect customer support they are known for. He was apologetic and also said they were very busy getting ready for the show.

Now for the Walter action question. The Walter action is not manufactured by Langer. In fact he said Langer is not making actions for outside companies. I'm not sure what that means but from what I understood Langer manufactures parts for companies they are involved with in China.

The Walter action is made by Ningbo the same company that makes some actions for Bechstein an others. The funny thing is, some companies are saying they use Langer actions but are not.
I always assumed the Walter action was from Langer China, but I was mistaken.

The Walter 1500 & 1520 are exactly the same inside, the only difference is the cabinet style.

Regarding the Walter 50" upright. As soon as the economy gets better they will begin manufacturing them, something they are also looking forward too.

Very interesting--- thank you!

Rod,

Did he mean then Hailun - Ningbo factory, thus the same as Hailun/Wendl & Lung?

schwammerl.

Fantastic! Glad to know that they were away, I feel better now. Thanks for letting them know that their fill in staff was not so hot, good for them to know! And also thanks for passing along the apologies, makes me smile to know it was a fluke!

I hate hearing about this 50"--such a tease!-- I am sure we will be coveting it totally when it starts being made! But hey, at least we'll have something to trade in... Did you play it?

Thanks for the clarification about the action as well.

Too bad you're not in VT! You've been super helpful.

Best,

Liza

Rod,

So, what's the delivery charge from B.C. to Georgia? Would you throw in a trout?

Charles

Sorry I don't know.
Is Ningbo the maker of Hailun?

The parts come from the Ningbo factory and the Walters install the Abel hammers and damper felts.
I'm not familiar with what is going on in China, so that's all I know.
I do know using a Ningbo action sure reduces the price of the piano compared to the Renner action from Germany.

Ningbo is a city near Shanghai. Apparently there are a number of piano and piano parts makers located there, including Ningbohailun. I gave up after six pages of Google, before I saw anything about Bechstein or Walter.

The quality of the Ningbo action is what Hailun company had became known for years ago, actually long before they started making pianos themselves.

If it's a Renner knock off I don't know but having had them both side by side for years, we found remarkably little difference between them.

This, especially with regards to grand pianos.

It's an open secret that Ningbo had supplied some European as well as other makers with their action or action parts for years.

Their current production of pianos, as well as future development had been directly based on the success they have had earlier.

I doubt we have quite seen the end of all of this as of yet but others here may continue to cherish in the belief this to be total hype and blasphemy...

Norbert

Were those Ningbo actions in the Steigermans?

Hi everyone!

So I have a little update which is a bit tardy, but I suspect you have other things to do than just follow my piano buying saga. Anyhow, As you may know, last time I posted I was waiting for my client to pay their d*** bills so that I could make my gigantic 50% cash deposit on my new Walter. I was also liking (not loving) dealing with a dealer and had doubled (tripled?) what I had set aside in the budget when this journey began.

So....as you all can probably appreciate, I was still window shopping while waiting for my cash to show up. While perusing the interweb, I discovered a lovely used Walter in precisely the the finish we wanted, with the Walter action (we think). The seller turned out to be an awesome lady who seems to have cared for this piano the way you would hope-- with a need to sell the family piano to finance her daughter's new grand (as she is studying to write scores for films or some such awesome-ness). After much trials and tribulations I found a tech and a mover that can make this happen, and next weekend I go to check it out and 'seal the deal'! I am beyond excited.

Here's to hoping that it sounds as good as all the others we have played and that there are no hiccups! We are relieved that we are getting the piano we wanted most, already settled in to itself, and at a decent price that is way closer to our original budget! I will miss the idea of 'new piano smell' but will really relish having a few extra grand in my savings account.

I am meeting a tech at her house next week and hopefully all will be acceptable! It's hard to find these bad boys used, but I am so excited that we did- it's the only one I have found that was available, and I had all but given up on the idea, so I feel like the piano shopping angels were really with me. It's also fortuitous b/c when we went to look at a local rental for the potential long lead time on the new Walter, my husband took a shine to a Samick that I did not love. SOOO...the 'new to me' Walter I can have in my house in three weeks!

So, say a prayer that the tech blesses it on the 15th! I do have one question--

What's the best way to handle long distance piano purchase with a private buyer? Paypal? Bankcheck?

Thanks everyone!

No, not really! Here's hoping this piano works out for you, sounds like a good situation.

Well, Ivp, wasn't it Aristotle... "Opportunity favors the prepared mind." You've worked pretty hard for your good luck, so I'm glad Fortune has smiled on you.

It doesn't sound like this lady would steal from you, but good form in these transactions would be to write up a sales agreement with the essential details, signed copies for both parties, a deposit to secure the deal, and the balance by cashiers' check, delivered to the seller when the mover picks up the piano. Be sure the mover carries insurance that protects you.

And, congratulations!

I wish other piano shoppers would go back and look up your posts, from the first one on. You've cast a lot of light on this difficult process--- and look what can happen.

Congratulations! My fingers are crossed for you.

Charles

Hi everyone!!!

So, St.Hubs and I met my piano Saturday....mmmm..... wondrous. Worth everyone one of the 700 miles that I put on my car.

SO! The piano is perfect! I went to see her this weekend and I had a tech meet me there to make sure that it was an ok deal and that there wasn't much to think about in terms of work. Joe Ross of PianoMart ended up being the tech (total fluke) and he actually had sold this piano to the current owner. This was all coincidence b/c I had picked him from a PTG recommendation, but I was thrilled b/c it seemed ideal to have a Walter dealer check it out and vet the price, etc. He said it was basically perfect, showed me the small adjustments it would need when it was tuned, and gave it an A+! I feel like I have met just about everyone I have read about online...Pianomart Joe, Rick Jones, Larry Fine...crazy!

Seriously, when we looked at it, we realized that it had probably been played LESS than the new one on the floor of the dealer that we didn't like (I think that they have just been having too many lessons on it!) It sounded great, and was in truly immaculate condition.

So, the pick up is on 8/26, with delivery to my house the week of the 31st...painfully, I will be away for work the week it will be ready, so it has to sit in storage for a week until I am back! Ack! Too awful. At least it is proper piano storage.

Looks like I will be going 'back to lessons' with all the other little ones this September Thank you all for all support and well wishes! I will post with photos when she gets here!

I was just thinking, next time I see someone whine that they have to drive an hour or two to a piano store, I will have no empathy if they don't love the piano they end up with! This has put thousands of miles on our car and taken months, but it's worked out so much better than I could have imagined. I am officially joining the ranks of posters who yell 'don't rush! Play them all- even if you think you won't know the difference!' Just saying- that is the best advice I got. Thanks everyone!

That's great news, LVP. I was hopeful. So, how did it sound and feel? Renner or Walter action? Mocha latte or hazelnut? Enquiring minds and all that. Hopefully, it didn't make you cry.

Anyway, I'm really happy for you. Sniff.

Charles

Easy questions first: Langer Action. Felt good, though hard to remember the exact feel of the others after so much time passing. However, my husband had a strong positive reaction to the touch, similar to when he played the 'Walter' action (not the Renner. He never preferred that...still wondering if it's a real distinction between the action types or if that was really more a product of different levels of prep!)

Sound....So, it was warmer/darker, kind of like the first one we heard (the crier), but actually sounded better. Perhaps because it was in tune! The other new one that we heard and loved was voiced brighter, but since this is going into a room with a huge vault and lots of hard surfaces, we think warmer might be better to start. While we could voice it....something tells me we won't. People have suggested a few times that the warmer Walters are likely better for our space, though we liked the brighter ones a smidgen better. We'll see what happens with the new acoustical space!

I would say that this is totally a Breve...(a latte made with half-and-half instead of milk). Totally indulgent, but completely worth it

Oh yeah, no crying this time, but a fair bit of jumping up and down and squealing after the technician left!!! Some hugging too. I even love the people who are selling it, which is a relief. Get this: their daughter is coming home from the west coast this week to 'say goodbye' to the piano. I'd be worried that they would reneg, but I know the cash is going to her piano upgrade!

Thanks for joining me on the adventure!

7 MORE DAYS UNTIL IT'S HERE!!!



The last time I felt like this I was getting married!

Will there be a delivery rehearsal with dinner to follow?

Yes, actually, my sister in law is flying into town, so there will be a big dinner with appropriate family! Though, I am not sure if we will rehearse the delivery...

I have, however, been mastering Clocks on my iphone, so perhaps that counts as a rehearsal

I just realized that my anniversary is week after the delivery; perhaps it's the late summer weather reminding me of the wedding too! Happiness abounds!

Once again congratulations. I had missed all the other stuff since I last wrote here. I had missed your updates for some reason.

Preowned or new a Walter is a lovely instrument.

Enjoy!!!

The piano mover called this morning...he is heading out to Canada, and will be picking up my baby tomorrow night! Wednesday at noon, it's all mine!!!

Piano lesson set up for a week from today.

Tuner chosen.

Funds for pianosaver installation set aside for next month.

Beatles fake book purchased.

Music reading brushed up on....

Nothing left to do to scratch the itch but obsessively read PW!

Seriously, the anticipation is wild! Thanks all for keeping me company, I am insufferable impatient!

Did you find your pre-owned Charles Walter in Canada?