Greetings.
I'm in my 40's and have been mostly self-taught by playing mostly classical but I have recently begun taking lessons (jazz) and am enjoying it immensely (even though I'm not really a "jazz" aficionado).
It is certainly a lot different than simply reading a score.
I'm presently playing an Earl Windsor (in very good shape) but I have started shopping around for an affordable (for me) smaller grand.
Not that I really need one, certainly not at my level, but I've always wanted one but I just never thought I would ever able to afford it.
I've not been too encouraged by what I've seen so far on the used market (although I haven't been looking too long).
I'm realizing that the used grand market is filled with a lot of questionable old pianos.
And since I have had my technician check out a few pianos that I was considering, the out of pocket cost can creep up there each time.
I was thinking of possibly relying on a Yamaha GA1 since I assume that the Yamaha should have a certain reliable quality, and there are a few of them out there, but I realize now that for not much more money I could get a new Samick SIG54.
I've been getting the impression that the Samick brand has been steadily improving in quality in recent years and if I was able to buy a new piano that should certainly take a lot of uncertainty out of my quest.
I've been trying to do as much reading as I can to get up to speed but since I have limited experience myself any advice that I could get here as to the impressions you guys have with the SIG 54 will be greatly appreciated.
Or possibly any other recommendations in the same price range.
Thanks in advance, and I must say I've been soaking up copious amounts of information on this gold mine of a site.

The answer to your question depends quite a bit on your limitations in the areas of money and space.

I recently bought a 5'4" Hailun grand after having played just about every piano brand/size in my market area (and doing a fair amount of internet surfing too). After my initial search I focused on pianos 6' and under. I was limited by both space and money, but feel that after playing so many pianos I made a good choice, both sound and $-wise.

The difference in the action's speed/feel between my new grand and my reasonably new 48" upright was significant in my opinion - i.e., the grand was a big improvement. In addition, I was only expecting a moderate improvement in sound quality from the grand, but it has exceeded my expectations so far.

Most smaller grands I tried were not a significant improvement sound-wise vs my large upright, but action-wise, they pretty much all were better. I don't want to start a "this brand is better than that brand" argument, but I am happy with my choice and would be happy to discuss more via PM.

If you have sufficient space and money, the options availabe to you increase greatly.

If I can make you a suggestion I'd recommend that if you're going to spend the money to buy a grand, play a lot of pianos. If nothing else, it frames the decision in your mind as to the type of sound you like and you'll eventually get to the place where you'll be comfortable with a choice.

Hi Sparky:

I would get a Samick with a Renner action. It's worth the extra cost. There are also some good used pianos out there, like 10 year old Yamahas that I've seen around. A Samick with a Renner is a better bet than a GA1.

Happy hunting!

Steve

I'd look around on ebay and/or Craigslist. You should be able to find a slightly used grand within your budget.

Thanks for the responses everyone.
Space isn't really an issue for me but money certainly is.
That was why I was limiting myself to the used baby grand market until I realized the Samicks were fairly cheap new.
I wasn't aware that I could request a Samick with Renner action, however I'm really over-extending myself as it is if I do buy a new Samick so I think Renner action would be out of reach for me.
I was mostly wondering if the GA1 would be comparable to the Samick SIG54.
Maybe I'll keep searching for slightly larger Yamahas but around here the prices are still pretty extravagant for my lifestyle.

Check out pianomart.com and local classifieds in the papers in addition to Ebay and Craigslist for used pianos. Visit local piano stores for used pianos, while usually not the best way to get a good used one you might get lucky. Be sure to have an independant piano technician evaluate the piano before you buy it, get a Registered Piano Technician if possible, for one in your area see:

http://www.ptg.org/

Great link BGJ.
Thanks.