Help!
I have been researching and shopping for a small grand piano for my 11 year old. The more I research and look, the more complicated it seems to get. We are leaning to European sounds. We are looking at a few and would love your advice on the pianos below which are in our current order of preference. At this point we are really focusing on the first two. But any red flags to look for would be appreciated.

- Baldwin G172, 4 years old, for 7K.
The dealer says it was made in Korea where the millennium series for Kohler & Campbell and Knabe were made with “Baldwin parts”

- Essex EGP-173, 4 years old, for about 7K.
One dealer told me that the Young Chang piano under the Essex name was a much better piano then the Pearl River - though this one would seem to be from Pearl River. This forum seem pretty harsh on Essex, but my son liked it and I sort of buy the Steinway pitch that they have a reputation to protect. Also, I get conflicting information on whether the components in the Pearl River pianos are Chinese or not.

- Broadman PE 162, New, for 10K.
Dealer says it uses all German parts, etc. Though we really want to stay well under 10K.

- Baldwin M 1984, 1984, 5’2” for 10K (they will negotiate)
but it has not been played much for many years. The dealer says it will get better with use, but I am not sure I buy that.

- Chang Young PG175 for 8K. Very pretty and strong sound, but has a muddy base that the dealer says can be adjusted.

- Kawai GE-10, for about 9K at a dealer

- Kawai KG7D 1986 for 7K
Thanks

I'd go with the Kawai KG7D, but have a tech go with you. It seems like a great price for a piano of that size and vintage, as long as it's in good shape.

Did you really intend to type KG7? That's a LOT larger piano than the others you're considering, if memory serves me correctly (over 7 feet).

I was told it was a KG7D made around 1986 5' 11"

Oh, you mean a KG2...
It seemed a little out of place on your list!

The Baldwin description makes no sense. A 4-year-old Baldwin should have been made in China by the Gibson/Dongbei factory.

Essex and Broadman seem like good choices, although I feel the Broadman seems to be priced a tad high.

Baldwin M is a tad small. And no, it's not getting any younger.

YC makes decent pianos but if it doesn't impress you now, pass.

How old is the GE-10?

The price on the KG2D sounds fair.

If you really like the Essex, definitely put it on the short list. But just before you buy it, see if you can find a Pearl River or a Ritmuller of the same size at least for comparison sake.

The Kawai had a terrible heavy action, the piano is also quite old, I wouldn't wanna buy that for my son. (My teacher use to have one)
Brodmann has a great reputation, and I have played a few Essex and the wen't bad at all. They sound nicer then most yamahas and as your son will be playing the piano he should get the piano HE likes, not someone on this forum

The pianos should be quite okay as a starter piano, but the Baldwin G172 seems a little off, i don't think they were really built with Baldwin parts. The Young Chang with the muddy bass, if you choose that, make sure the bass is adjusted and fixed BEFORE you buy, not after. The new Brodmann sounds good. The older Baldwin M, its hammers will get compacted, and will get brighter, but as gnuboi said, it's going to get no younger. The Essex's are fine, i wouldn't buy into the negativity said here, they are fine pianos, though a little overpriced because of the Steinway connection.

Rotom is right about the Baldwin; something does not seem right... it must be a D. H. Baldwin (made in Korea by Samick or YC). If so, it would have to be much more than 4 years old.

I was about to say, that Kawai KG7D was a steal, but you cleared that up with the actual size. I guess a 2 and 7 can look similar.

I believe I'd go with the one that appeals the most to me...

Good luck!

Rick

The KG2D ian't too bad a piano either, actually i think it's quite nice

Thanks for all your advice. I guess the Essex may be it. Unfortunately it is all wrapped up for shipping and will cost money to get set up and test.

I also ran across a 1979 Kohler and Campbell for 2K, though again is has not been played for quite awhile. I think I will go check it out, but is there too much risk with that brand at this age?

A 1979 Kohler and Campbell is a lower-quality US made piano.

Looks like we are closing in then. What do you think a fair price for the 4 year old Essex is. I think 7K is too high. Agree? What is fair?

Thanks

The Essex could be around $11k new, so it seems fair. Make an offer.

There are also new grands sized similarly for $7k/$8k :p

I don't like the "Accu-just" hitch pins, but I would find out what price you could get the Baldwin "M" for. And as always, get a tech you trust to check it.

Well, I counter offered on the Essex, but she decided not to sell and the piano is off to Houston. So we are looking at more options. Here is an interesting one.

"Our Sohmer Model 57 (5' 7" long) ivory-keyed Grand Piano was built in New York in 1956. It has been well maintained, and was recently tuned. It was professionally appraised by a Registered Piano Technician to be in "very good to excellent" condition."

Is it worth taking a look at for with a 3K price? We are not so focused on cosmetic issues.

For 3k for a possibly decent grand piano and was well maintained seems pretty good. Take along your technician, and go and take some time to play it. Good luck

I saw that same ad for the Sohmer (we are also in the market for a new piano - for me, as well as our kids). My reluctance w/it was that it's already 56 years old, and it sounds like it's all original. It's easy to imagine it needing some major work in the not-too-distant future. If your son is 11, you might want to buy something newer that will last a good 10 years without major work. On the other hand, Sohmer is a good brand that will possibly last as long as you need it to (7-10 years), despite being "all original."

That being said, my 8 and 10-yr-olds are on their third year plunking away on an all-original, 1926 4'9" Howard (but made by Baldwin! that probably started to go south during the Eisenhower administration...my goal is to find either a newly restored (not refurbished) piano or young-ish original piano before they develop bad habits.

I'm guessing you're in the DC area - if so, have you tried Rick Jones? I liked what I saw when I visited, altho I didn't find the "perfect" piano when I visited last year.

Good luck!

I did look at Rick Jones. Did not see what I wanted, at least at that stage of my search. I may look at the Sohmer. I asked for the technician report. Last night we saw a 2005 Kwai GM10LE (LEs are made in Japan he said) and a GM10K 2010 for 6995 and 7395 respectively. My son and his piano teacher liked the more melo sound of the LE. We are leaning to this piano now.

In case anyone is still watching this thread.... WE bought the Sohmer 57 (funny number, made in 56, so it is 56 years old, but is model 57). We talked to the guy who serviced it, and he was soooo helpful. "I love helping people join the piano world..." Anyway, during the long conversation, we concluded that this 1956 Solmer is so much better than a newish lower end piano... especially for 3K. "I would rather buy two old Solmers than one low end (GM) Kawai..from the point of view of a technician." (I should say that he did say he loved the higher end Kawais such as RX"

When we went to test it, our piano teacher fell in love with it. She loved the "mature" action and the sound in the mid and upper range (she has some concerns in the the lowest.... may need some new strings). We had a hard time pulling her away.

My wife thought the ivory keys are beautiful. There was some damage to the wood top, but oh well, it is still looks great overall despite 4 sq. inches of damage.

Anyway, thanks for all your advice to everyone. I think we now have a unique quality instrument and my wife may join our 11 year old in taking lessons.

eric

Congratulations! It's great you like it, enjoy!

In case anyone is still out there, it finally arrived. I attached pictures.

Thanks to all your advice.

Sohmer used to manufacture invisible pianos?

Brodmann PE 162 goes for $10k new? And some people think that price is high? According to their website MSRP is $20,970. According to Larry Fine's guide it's $22,190. Guess his info is a little old. Anyway, Larry Fine's SMP is $15,790.
Are the discounts that deep? If so maybe I should be looking at the Brodmann grands instead of their uprights.

Hummm, not sure why the attachment did not work. I will try again.

P'raps because it's a buddhist piano?