I'll be starting piano for the first time very shortly. I have lessons already lined up. However, I need to get something under my fingers for practice.

Initially, I was only considering a digital piano because of budget ($2-3k) but I recently went on a piano finding trip and one store in particular had what seemed to be very good pricing. For reference, I've got it pinned to the Kawai CA63 if I can get the price down and the Rowland FP-7F.

With no real experience, all of the pianos I listened to that were in my budget (and way out of my budget for reference) sounded good enough and similar (store employee did lots of nice no-sales-pressure demos). It's really hard to judge when you don't know what details to listen or feel for. However, I did come out with a price list (go go pen and paper!!!)

Thoughts on the following uprights at their price point? I'm not sure if one stands out as a screaming deal etc.

(pre-tax. shipping 125-250 depending on if I can piggy back on another order, as I live a long long distance from the store)

Cable-Nelson CN116 PE (New) $3050
Kohler & Campbell KM245 (new) $2790
Kohler & Campbell KC245 (new) $2590
Sohmer 48P (or was it 48PN?) (new) $3000
Yamaha P22 (used, 1986) $2990
Kawai 506S (used,~ 10 yrs old) $1990

Thanks for any feedback

EDIT: There is also a 100% value trade up policy should I decide to upgrade in a few years. No "must be 3x more price" shenanigans etc.

There really is no certain way for any one of us to know what kind of condition any of these pianos are in, setting in the dealership without first seeing them. Much depends on the age, quality of the piano, what kind of condition the piano is in now, the strings, bridges, sound board, (cracks?) tuning pins, pin block and more. Your best bet, is to find the sound and feel and of course, looks, of the piano that YOU like, you're the one that will be playing on it, then have a technician look at it for you.

Our local dealership also does the 100 % trade up thing. It works here and is a great deal!

Thanks for your reply. let me clarify by saying the following are brand new

Cable-Nelson CN116 PE $3050
Kohler & Campbell KM245 $2790
Kohler & Campbell KC245 $2590
Sohmer 48P (or was it 48PN?) $3000


Good to know the 100% trade up works in your area

Sorry, I didn't notice "(new) behind them. Personally, I like the Cable Nelson myself but, that is just my personal opinion...

Dear Folks,

Yah. Of the choices you present; Cable Nelson would be my suggestion. They've been very nice, reliable, and good sound. Have not had any problems with them. Of your other choices; the Sohmer is the only one I have not seen. The KC pianos are....not as nice. From a technician's point of view, at least!

While you can be well served by any of the pianos you list, I would suggest you try the new Del Fandrich designed Young Chang or Weber 114 before you make your decision. These pianos sound and play like instruments significantly more expensive and are musically satisfying to play compared with many others at a lower price point.

I believe I have seen those Kohler & Campbell models for about that price, and was fairly impressed by them, but I live in Cincinnati Ohio and there is a bit of competition in the city. I have difficulty remembering model numbers, but the prices on those sounds similar to what I saw, and is below the Blue Book of Pianos price (all the K&C's seem to be selling at a discount; TunerJeff probably explained why). I have also tried the Roland FP-7F, and agree that it is very good keyboard; but your teacher may insist on an acoustic piano.
Buying a piano a hard decision when you are a beginning student. Unfortunately, it's an even harder (and more expensive!) decision when you are an intermediate or advanced student. There are not many easy measurements for what piano would suit you best. One thing to ask is how hard and firm the keys are - how much force they require to press. If you plan to practice for 2 or 3 hours in a day, a firm piano can wear your hands and arms out.
You can also try renting one of the pianos. My dealer with Kohler & Campbell uprights rents them at $85 per month in a rent-to-buy agreement, and all rental payments are applied to the purchase price. Delivery costs must be paid upfront, but it can be a very affordable way to start.