Hi,

I've just put a deposit on a new Kohler & Campbell upright, however I'm having trouble deciding between the Walnut or White finish.

Our house is quite light, and so white would suit, however, I've heard that white pianos can "yellow" over time. Has anyone experienced this or have any other opinion re choosing one finish over the other.

I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks

No.

The resale value of white pianos is much lower than more common finishes.

The problem of yellowing was solved years ago.

I don't remember ever seeing a single white piano in any of the 4 stores on Piano Row in NYC and I've been in some of those stores 20+ times.

But if YOU like it and aren't concerned about resale value then it's right for you! I would make the tone at least part of the decision between the two.

No.

They make a great stage gimmick, but in practice, they are just plain ugly.

Following up on Steve C.'s post, if you have a reasonable expectation of keeping the piano for, say, five years, - or if budget is not an issue - get the one that you prefer.

The longer that you play a piano, the easier it'll be to consider any loss as being less than you would have paid to rent one.

Tone, touch, and appearance - to your ears, your fingers, and your eyes.

Hi Mellody7,

Welcome to the forum.

Snow White and Ivory finishes were big sellers in South Florida for many years. Some sales in Arizona and California too. The popularity of these finishes has dwindled to where it is sometimes difficult to find dealers that will stock White/Ivory pianos.
Yellowing is not an issue with the new poly finishes.
If you like the white one best, and now you know that it won't yellow as it ages, buy it. However, I concur the trade-in or resale value will be much much lower than a wood tone or even a poly ebony finish.

Good luck with your choice.

Bear

I should clarify, I live in Sydney, Australia, and so am not familiar with any NYC stores, sorry

I have seen a few white pianos around, however, I've definately noticed that they aren't as common as the black or wood finishes.

Secondly, both pianos are the same price.

Thirdly, I'm happy with the tone and touch of both pianos. I didn't include this in my original post for that reason.

I'm imagining that I will be keeping this piano for many years and as nice as it would be to purchase a beautiful European instrument, my budget just doesn't stretch that far

Melody7,

This is a great question!

Personally, I love a "cream" colored pianos, and white can be, well, white like frigerators looked in the 50's. So I'd say, don't go into it thinking about selling it. Go into buying it cause you love the white. It will need lighting to adress the whiteness, so maybe consider pot lights above it. Lots of pot lights. Lighting can make a hugh difference.

Also, one of my students has a white grand piano. They have tried to sell it on a few occasion with no success.

Again, personally I would love a white piano, but that's from a woman's point of view! So go with what tickles your fancy. No one elses!

Hope this helps!

I have quite a few clients with white pianos. One advantage over black? The dust doesn't show up nearly as much. Scratches don't either Diane.

I don't really notice any difference in quality but, as mentioned, the resale - and it is something to keep in mind as some day you may want to resell it - is much more difficult because most people want brownish or black.

More importantly? Get a good quality piano, be happy with it and take good care of it besides the occasional dusting... Tune it regularly.

One other thing,

White poly. can be easily shaded to just about any color of the rainbow by using a colored poly over it. Candy apple red? Deep purple? Peanut butter tan? We have had requests for all of these finishes and they are easier to do over a white piano than to start out on bare wood.

So.... maybe white is more desirable than ANY other finish.

(seriously, I agree with all the advice given so far. But my post was not a joke either)

Very interesting! Never heard of that one before Rich!

Baldwin had zebra pianos, the best of both black-and-white worlds, no?

Well, my post is perhaps a joke

As long as the tone is superb, the action divine and the price right, the exterior does not matter.

NO WAY! Any grand piano should be black polished only. Polished because it lets people see the reflection of the "actions" under the hood. Wood finishes make the piano look less serious and more like a piece of furniture, although it is quite acceptable for an upright. Art cases are for people with the taste of a 150 year old woman. White/red/any other colors are for posers only. Just my opinion.

Someone once offered to sell me a used piano. I was going to pass the deal along to someone I knew who was looking to buy, but then the catch - it was white.


Personally I'm not usually picky on color, but I don't very much like white pianos. I agree with ChatNoir - tone and touch are paramount, aesthetics are secondary.

I can tell you that when we were looking at pianos the white ones were $4K less than the exact same models in black or wood grain. When we asked why, the dealer said white is very hard to sell and even harder to resale.

++ what pno said but satin.

I don't want to see my reflection while I am playing. It's distracting.

Pianos should be black. Other colors are more furniture-like.

Walnut.
It is more labour-intensive to make the Walnut finish than the White finish.

Melody,

I love white. Why not a white piano? Yes, resale is lower, but...

If it is your piano, get the color you like (or love)

BC

Wow! I never thought this topic would generate so much discussion (and heated opinions!).

When I said "white" I realise now I should have said "Off-white" (it's not stark white). Nonetheless, many of you think anything other than black or brown is ridiculous.

We'd be happy with either option, but at the moment we're leaning toward the Walnut (polished) - it just seems to be a safer choice - particularly regarding the re-sale situation. How long would you keep a piano for anyway before upgrading?

My dream is to have a baby grand - but I'd need a bigger house...

Any thoughts on leg style? K&C (121) offer a straight leg or a classical curved style.

Have you thought about how it will look to you 5 years from now? Remember avocado kitchen appliances - or copper? :rolleyes:

I think the white would prove to be an annoyance after a few years, whereas a black or dark wood is timeless.

Also, since you aspire to a grand, it sounds like resale value should be a consideration.

I once had a black spinet. It needed to be dusted every day. I now have a plain vanilla case walnut satin. I'm nowhere near 150 years old, but that piano takes up a huge chunk of my living room, and I'd be much happier if I could have afforded a case of a style to match the remainder of my furniture. Black only? For everyone? That's crazy.

I know it sounds strange..I like walnut for an upright but black for a grand.. and a white only if its free

A white piano is definitely not as good as an off-white piano. White can look quite antique. And I hate antiques. But off-white is beautiful! I'd call off-white, cream, french vanilla! If I could have found an off-white baby grand piano, I would have bought it!

Looks to me like more men are buying pianos than woman maybe!

In answer to the original question:

No, I would not buy a white piano.

Well a French Vanilla piano sounds delicious.....

Horses for courses. No accounting for taste. All that.

Its fun spending other people's money.

I vastly prefer woodgrain finishes for pianos - but then again, I like artcases too! I wouldn't want anything BUT woodgrain for an upright.

For grands, I still vastly prefer woodgrain. A close second is white or off-white (I think I share another poster's preference for off-white vs. pure white). High gloss black comes next, followed by satin black which just looks old and tired.

Which puts me in direct opposition to many/most here! But I'm weird.

Buy whatcha like, don't pay any attention to us - 'cause we're not you!

I just went camping in Hell, Michigan. It's frozen over. I still wouldn't buy a white piano.

A real Steinway.
Now also in white.
Can you resist it?

http://webvoice.blogspot.com/img/steinway/louis-xv-ger-ornate.jpg

I favor satin black or wood finishes.

Curiously, where I live white finishes are popular. This fact generated many jokes when I was piano shopping. Dealers would say, "But you live in ________. Don't you want a white one?"

Actually, I would have considered a nice Steinway in white, if it played like a dream. It would have probably been a lot cheaper than in another finish, having spent years in the showroom!