Hi all. I am considering a piano I found on Craigslist for $2900. It's a Young Chang G-157, ebony, 5'3", manufactured in 1987, one owner. What do you all think about Young Chang's. I was really hoping to buy a Yamaha, but this fits my price point. Do you think this young chang is a better instrument than a U1 or a kawai upright? The used blue book price on the Young Chang is $5100 to $5300. I've never played a Young Chang before...we grew up playing a Yamaha and my piano teacher owned 2 Steinway grands. Also, I am considering a Kawai BL-61, selling for $3500. It is advertised as being in mint condition; a piano tech valued it at $4000 to $5000. My impression is that Kawai pianos are of a higher quality, but I was really hoping to get a baby grand. We sold our baby grand 6 years ago when we moved and I've been playing a Yamaha grand keyboard since then. Please advise

About a year or so ago, I visited a church I used to be a member of, and they had gotten rid of the old console upright and had replaced it with a smallish Young Chang baby grand. After the services were over, I played the YC and was very impressed with the tone and touch. The low bass was very weak and shallow, but the rest of the piano had a very nice tone.

The price may not be a bargain, but not bad if it is in good condition. I believe I'd invest in a piano tech inspection before I purchased it...

Good luck!

Rick

Thanks Rick! Who do you think I should bring with me to inspect the piano: the piano tech who used to tune our former piano or a piano teacher with a PhD in piano performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music? Also you mentioned that it's not a bargain...how much would you be willing to pay?

Take the piano technician. I'm frequently appalled by how little piano teachers and/or professors really know about pianos. You want someone who can evaluate the mechanical as well as the musical attributes of the piano.

ddf

Well, I’ve gotten in trouble with some dealers here a time or two when I share my opinion about piano pricing. But since one of my favorite past-times is looking at used pianos and pick-up trucks for sale on CL, eBay and other sites, I do see lots of pianos for sale at lots of different prices.

However, I'm certainly not an expert on the subject, by any means...

If I were really chomping at the bit to buy a baby grand piano, and the availability of good, pre-owned pianos in my area was limited, and that YC was in great condition, and I liked the tone, touch and appearance, I’d pay $2900 and be happy about it. But then you would have to pay for the inspection, moving and tuning, which would boost the price up some, perhaps closer to $3500; as I said, it may not be a bargain. If you could get the piano for $2500, or less, if it is in good condition, that would be a better deal in my view. I’m thinking a used piano dealer wouldn’t pay more than $1000 to $1500 or so for that piano.

Remember, pianos are a whole lot easier to buy than to sell.

Plus, I usually buy high and sell cheap… the story of my life.

Good luck.

Rick

Hey Rick - When you find a great piano and excellent pick-up truck on CL being offered by the same seller, who drives your vehicle home?

It depends... if it's not too far away, I'll ride my bicycle and put it on the back of the pick-up truck along with the piano and drive it home.

Rick

Thanks guys!! Appreciate all the feedback. Just waiting for the seller to set up a time to view the piano. Although I haven't seen any pianos yet, I am leaning towards getting the YC baby grand versus the Kawai upright just because it's a grand. Is this what you would do if you were me?

Generally yes, but go over that baby grand carefully to make sure nothing annoys you like thuds or clicks. The piano tech might be able to fix some things but some of these small models may have inherent issues with strings and scale design.

Ok, so the guy who is selling his Young Chang G-157 has not gotten back with me. This YC piano is only 20 minutes away from our house. But he hasn't responded. I also asked the music director of our music school about YC pianos, and her piano professor husband didn't think YC pianos were that great, but ok for beginners. So I've expanded my Craigslist search to nearby states and found a 24 year old, 5'1" Kawai for $2300. The seller has noted that it is in very good condition. She lives about 3 hours away from me. Do you all think this is worth pursuing?

Oh, I forgot to mention. I don't know the model number of this Kawai, but the serial number is 1804454.

cpgirl, if a 3 hour drive is not a drawback for you, go ahead and look at the Kawai. However, keep this in mind: people tend to overstate the condition of their pianos when they advertise them. I've gone to look at pianos that were described as being in "excellent condition" that ended up having several notes that wouldn't hit, hadn't been tuned in roughly 46 years, and pedals that didn't work. I think if the piano is truly in good condition, it could be a promising first grand. But at 5'1" it will have limitations in the bass that you may eventually grow weary of.

Thanks Monica. I've been exchanging emails with the seller. It doesn't sound like the piano has been tuned regularly or played much for the last 20 years. I'm willing to go see it but the 3 hour drive is formidable.

Maybe my memory is playing tricks on me, but I think I remember $5500 or so being the asking retail for a small YC in the late 1980s. I can't see a 25 year old tiny Korean grand being worth more than half its original retail cost....

And yes: noisy actions, heavy touch weight.

Well the guy selling the Young Chang just got back with me and his piano has already sold. Bummer. I found a seller in MI who wants to sell a G5 Yamaha for $5000. No idea how old it is, but it's been in the States for 15 years now. It was brought over from Japan. I'm worried that it's not "seasoned for destination" and I might have some major problems down the road.

If it's close by and not 3 hours away, it's worth a visit. If you find it to be generally in good condition and really like it, hire a tech to see if any major repair or maintenance might be required. If the local climate has been an issue, the tech should be able to spot problems.

I'll consider it. It's nearly 3 hours away. The seller seemed really nice. His wife's from Japan and is a phenomenal musician. They're getting another Yamaha G5 shipped from Japan soon and can't keep both in the house. The piano looks pretty nice but has no bench.

I found another Young Chang on Craigslist. This one is a 5'6" TG150. Built in 2001. Original owners. It was purchased for their 2 daughters who played it and have moved on. The sellers live 2 cities away from us. They are asking $3k which fits my budget exactly. I'm going to look at it tonight. I really should bring a tech with me but this is a good night for both parties to view it. They had it tuned regularly when their girls were using it. What do you all think if I went ahead and purchased it without the advice of my piano tech?

This might be too late, but try not to buy without your tech checking I out. Maybe put a downpayment until your tech can check it over.

The piano might be wonderful, but then again might need 3k worth of work.

Good luck,

Jonathan

Well I went ahead and bought it. It was the best grand I could find with my piano budget, and I really didn't want to get an upright. And I only had to drive 30 minutes to see it! The seller was getting so many calls about it. He was holding them off by letting them know that I was coming to view it tonight. I didn't want to pass up this opportunity. Appearance-wise, it is in pristine condition. The tone was good. Keys were a bit stiff, but that's because we're all accustomed to playing our keyboard. We experience the same stiffness with the Steinway we play during lessons. I'll have my tech go over it carefully once it's delivered to our home. Thanks for all your input on this forum. It's much appreciated!

Congrats! Post pictures when you get it home!