hey there,
my first post on this forum
So, first of all i am a music student . I have been playing/practicing on a electric keyboard and finally harbored some cash to buy a real piano.

the problem is, i have found some baby grands of different models and cant decide as i'm fairly noob when it comes to the inner workings of the piano.
also they are second hand but as far as i understand they seem to be in decent shape.

i have found:
- yamaha baby grand G3 E2013122, price $6500 & $7500-- i have found 2 sellers of this model. is there anything i can compare to distinguish the 'better' one?

-Kohler & Campbell Baby Grand Piano
Model No. KIE 450D -this comes with a 15 year warranty and is 5 years old, price = $6500

-Daewoo Royale, 158cm, Model DG-1E, Serial Number G016909.
,exact age not given but First owner bought in 1987 during the Billy Joel Encore Tour. (it even has a plaque signed by billy joel which i think is quite cool!. price =$5250

Kohler & Campbell Model KIG467D, age not given, price=$7900

5'3" Sherman Clay Grand Piano
PRICED FOR A QUICK SALE
Brought from the USA, made in China
15 Years Old, price= $5500

I'm leaning towards the yamaha as it is a reputable brand but all suggestions are needed

thanks a lot

My vote is for the Yamaha G3 as well... The $6500 price is likely on par with used market values and a fair price, depending on condition; at $7500, that G3 would have to be in pristine, showroom condition.

Good luck!

Rick

Have you actually played any of the pianos? If not I would recommend holding off a bit. Educate yourself and play some pianos!

My first piano teacher had a Kohler & Campbell from Korea/Indonesia (Samick makes them in both countries. The Korean ones are the nice ones, and the Indonesian ones are the cheaper ones). They are decent sounding pianos from what I can recall. According to The Piano Book, the ones with model #'s beginning in JS/KC/SIG/KIG are the Indonesian models, and the ones starting with SU/SKV/SG/SKG are the Korean models (with ones starting with WSU/KMV/WFG/KFM being the top end Korean "World" or "Millenium" models).

Sherman Clays were made by Daewoo up until 1987, and then from '87 to '90 by Kimball. So it's at least 22 years old. I'd avoid any made by Daewoo, because they are poor quality instruments made by a Korean supercorporation that makes anything and everything (microwaves, TV's, video recorders, farm equipment, A/C units, etc.). Go for the Yamaha and the K&C if you want a nice, cheap baby grand. It might also do you good to look into Essex pianos, which is the name Steinway uses for their lower-end pianos (built by Young Chang in Korea under Steinway supervision). They're also fairly nice, and if you buy them from a dealer, you can trade it in sometime in the next 10 years and get as much money as you paid for it towards any Steinway grand of your choice (same goes for the Bostons, which are built by Kawai).

Thanks for all the responses guys! :),

yes its true I haven't played any, but I'm still more inclined to buy the Yamaha.
I will go to play both of them this weekend .

Any pro tips* to compare each other with?

and also, what price should I be expecting to pay.

thanks

Hi - Welcome to Piano World!

One thing you haven't mentioned is how much playing, on any acoustic piano, that you have? If you don't have a type of sound in your ear or the type and feel of a mechanical action under your fingers that you like, I would suggest that you not rush into a purchase. Play many different brands and you will slowly develop your own preferences.

There is a very helpful link, on the left side of this page, called the "Piano Buyer" by Larry Fine. It contains a wealth of information, especially for the first time buyer. It is free online. It is also available as a print edition.

Of the pianos you have mentioned, the Yamaha is certainly at the top of the list. You might also look for Kawai. Those are well proven pianos. With either brand, ask the seller directly if they purchased the piano when it was new and is not second/third hand. There is something called "grey market" pianos from the Japanese builders which are reconditioned instruments and can have lots of problems.

The Essex has been mentioned above. In 2006 Steinway switched the builder of the instrument from Young Chang (Korea) to Pearl River (China). Consequently, it is a much better instrument and Steinway is keeping it consistent in quality. I would advise that you only consider the instruments built by Pearl River to the Steinway specs. The early ones (2001-2005) are not really very good. The Boston, again a division of and designed by Steinway, is built by Kawai with direct supervision of Steinway. It's a good piano and is worth checking out.

I hope this helps and wish you well in your piano hunt.

Search for the forum for baby grand posts, too.

The title of this thread is kind of funny. I picture the OP calling 911:

911. What's your emergency sir?

Yes, I'm in URGENT NEED OF HELP!! I can't choose which Grand piano to buy!!!

Please stay calm sir. We're dispatching piano specialists to you location...



Anyway, judging from the pianos the OP listed, I think you'd be better off getting a good digital for now and saving more money up until you've got some better options. I can't imagine you'd be very happy with any of those pianos for very long.

OH, well im been playing on digital for just over 2 years now .
during week days i play on different types of uprights and a g3 so i think i do have 'some' sort of feel .

but thanks for your detailed responses. IF i find the seller(s) g3 to be under quality then i will certainly look into essex.

The problem is i live in sydney and personally iv never seen the essex brand in stores ;L.

also, im trying not to spend over 6k for now.