If you are unfortunate enough to live in the UK, and even more unfortunate enough to live within striking distance of the City of Birmingham (Brum), you should take a look at the new range of "Smallbrook" digital pianos Fair Deal Music have in stock. I was in Fair Deals store today and was amazed at this new range of DP's, the touch is far superior to Casio's, and equal to my CN33, the Piano sound is great and they are priced lower than the Casio range. The cabinet work and finish is the best I've come across on any makers piano in any price range, it is superb. Unfortunately there's no reference to the "Smallbrook" range on their website but I'm sure they would email information if requested.

FAIR DEAL MUSIC

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It sounds as if you are fortunate to live within striking distance of such a marvel.

A marvel indeed. Such a well balanced, considered appraisal of the product. I think Bluebilly has really made a discovery here that will lead many lucky Birmingham pianists straight to Piano Nirvana. Thanks Bluebilly!

I've tried a lot of those cheap DP's which come in from the Far East, which seem to come out of the same factory, but in different cabinet work, but the "Smallbrook" really is far superior. However, in my case I'm only interested in an authentic touch and a nice piano sound any other functions and gizmo's are wasted on me, although I do occasionally play my piano in harpsichord mode when playing music of that period. Fair Deal also have some up market Yamaha's and Roland's in their showroom for comparison.....surprising indeed, considering the price difference.

bluebilly, I think you should just come clean and admit that you're now working for Smallbrook...

Hi James, Under normal circumstances I wouldn't give one of those cheap Asian imports a mention, I've tried out some really "ropey" ones, but this piano was something much better. I wouldn't do an in depth review of any piano, Gizmo's and Specifications go over my head, I sit at a piano and play it, in my amateur way, if I like the keyboard touch and the Grand Piano sound, that's me done, i.e., The Casio Privia range are let down by their wobbly keys, which negates their excellent specification IMO. BTW, the Smallbrook piano has only 64 note polyphony, which at my level of playing makes no difference, sorry to be technical. LOL. I'm also aware that in the past some forum members, I won't mention a name, have been ostracised, and subjected to "Cyber Pillorying", for suggesting a cheap DP could be equal to more expensive product.
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It seems Fairdeal Music have one of the more expensive Smallbrook models on eBay.
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bluebilly, I notice that you didn't respond to the request to declare any allegiance - or deny it. I think it's only fair to say whether or not you have any connection with either Smallbrook or Fair Deal Music. Do you have such a connection?

And it looks like 'Smallbrook' is Fair Deal's rebranding of some other machines, given that Fair Deal's address is Smallbrook Queensway.

Oh come on...don't be so cynical! I think these Smallbrook pianos look wonderful - even from the picture on eBay I can tell they are superior to Yamahas and Rolands as bluebilly says. And so what if he is on the payroll - I'm confident his review is really genuine and unbiased. Anyway, someone needs to tell Gyro to stay away from his credit card - he just LOVES crappy Chinese pianos.

I have no financial connection at all with Fairdeal Music, I just call in there when I have to visit the City of Birmingham to take a look at what's new in the musical instrument World.
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Gyro is in fact a very proficient pianist, but I know people who live near me with very expensive acoustic pianos who can hardly play a note, they do "talk a good job" though.

If I were to recommend a DP I would go with Kawai, I tried scores of makes and models before I bought my CN-33 and I've never regretted it. However, as regards the remark "Crappy Chinese Pianos" I would hazard a guess that most of the hardware in my piano, although produced by a Japanese company, was either made in China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia, or Korea...ditto the laptop I'm using now.

You've heard him play in person?

My apologies, my error, I think it is unethical to involve another forum member in a "Cyber Punch Up" when they have not made any contribution to the thread, thus far. I'm sure if Gyro wishes to comment he/she will do so.
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Just to clarify, the above was intended as a joke.

Cheers,
James
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Woops! I'll call off the dogs.

BTW, I should admit that I now stand to benefit from all future sales of the Lowland Pianofolte, definitely a Smallbrook competitor.

Hi James, Thanks, aren't some folks easily wound up, I like it. LOL
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bluebilly, the question here is about the opacity of your answers. It is difficult for folks to gauge authenticity when answers are shrouded in mystery or when references are made that are unclear or untrue. Gyro may be a fine pianist, but unless you've heard him, you're not in a position to know, and to imply otherwise is... well, do you have any used cars I could buy?
Jonathan

I refer you to my previous post: "Hi James, Thanks, aren't some folks easily wound up, I like it. LOL"
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Has this thread been edited by the moderator or have individuals deleted their own posts?

Bluebilly, I don't usually agree with random jibes at other members here but Gyro has rather painted a target on his arse, thanks to such (paraphrased) gems as:

* The logo on my Williams Overture looks classy. The Steinway & Sons logo is tacky.

* (Advice to a new learner) - If you're moving your piano around a lot, it's best to stick to a 61-key unweighted as all 88 note digital pianos are bulky and heavy and difficult to move around.

* I can play any concerto on my cheap Chinese digital piano.

* Another cheap bit of rubbish (Hemingway DP-501) sounds fine and will be OK to play anything on.

(Here's a video of how fine that would be, btw)



Now do you begin to get the idea about this guy? I've never been able to make out whether he gets paid to mention and praise Williams' products in forums or whether he's just a deluded troll, frankly.

As for the "Smallbrooks", I live close enough that I could, if inclined, pop down the M6 and try one out but a) I'm not in the market for such a product and b) I don't have the spare time or sufficient curiosity.

I would, however, be HUGELY surprised if they were truly superior to the top end Kawai, Roland and Yamaha cabinet models. There's an old saying of "you get what you pay for" and I've found that to be broadly true in this life.

As an alternative, I've just come across the mighty Sulinda

Thankyou for your excellent plug for these marvellous pianos. I will sell my Roland baby grand right away and blindly buy a smallbrook on your recommendation. I look forward to viewing the superior cabinetry, action, acoustics and build quality.

For the great piano warming party, Gyro is invited to perform his wonderful big concertos on my new smallbrook, and you are welcome to make a recording and plug smallbrook pianos on youtube with my account. There will be millions of viewers gladly listening to Gyros chopsticks concerto. Who needs kawai, roland and yamaha when we've got superior smallbrooks to enjoy.

Ha ha ha. You've got to laugh. I was lucky enough to check out those Sulinda bad boys on YouTube a while back. Epic, aren't they?! I remember owning one of those funny little Casio things that were all the rage for five minutes in the early 80s (buttons, not keys, and you could only press one at a time) - they had a more compelling piano sound than the Sulindas.

What really makes my mind boggle is that they would put up videos with the real sound of the things - if you were selling [censored] like this you would make sure no one could ever hear it before buying. They have found one way to ensure they will sell zero units I suppose.

Sulinda, Chase, Hemingway, Smallbrook, Classenti, Diginova and countless others....doesn't matter what they're called - they're all massively inferior to the average Yamaha, Roland, Kawai, Korg, Casio, Kurzweil etc etc. Their low price does not justify their existence in my opinion.