Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Adult Beginners Forum Woohoo, going to a piano shop on Saturday

Woohoo! I know what you mean about something lacking in the DP. The more I play acoustics the more my DP sounds and feels digital.
My advice would be to buy the piano you love! Yay.

Hi guys, an update for anyone interested.

I promise I did listen to all the great advice you guys gave me, but, I did come away from the shop with a purchase made.

I played practically every piano there, including grands (oooo they were lovely), and played as much of what I could (which is a pathetic amount to be honest).

I was able to identify the differences between them, the touch, tone etc. I went there believing it would be a Yamaha model I'd purchase, but for some reason none of them did it for me-U1, U3, P121, U7 and more, not bashing the brand, just didn't feel or sound right for me.

I narrowed it down to two pianos, the Brodmann PE130 and their house brand Venables & Son Custom 133. I took a lunch break to think things over, then went back to play both again. Will Venables was fantastic in explaining all about the pianos, albeit I understood probably 10% of what he said, my piano knowledge is slim to none.

After all the considerations, I purchased the Venables & Son Custom-133, it seemed to have the edge over the Brodmann in terms of........fullness? The bass seemed a bit richer, and the higher notes clearer. Very well made, a slow closing fall board and a (forgive incorrect terminology) front piece, where the music stand is, that opens a little for sound to come out. Ha, that's a bad description.

I wish I could have gone to more shops, played more pianos, but its just not doable for me, and I really haven't been playing long enough to know what it is I'm looking for, but I do think I've found a piano ill love.

A bonus with buying from Venables & Son, other than being a fantastic shop, with excellent service, I can, at a later date, upgrade to another piano (grand?) and will only lose the V.A.T on the price on the upright when I trade in.

The piano should be delivered, with a bit of luck, on Tuesday morning, can't wait.
A free bench and first tuning sweetened the deal, as did a nice sum off the asking price.

Thanks for everyone's help and advice, so much appreciated, just hate that it seems I ignored you all, and a massive thank you to everyone at Venables & Son Piano shop, Ringwood, Hampshire.

Neil.

Congrats!

Enjoy your piano!
One year ago I choose mine, a 30 year-old Apollo upright (it's a little known Japanese brand) and I enjoy it every time a play/practice on it. I use to say it has a soul (my DP doesn't).

Congrats! Looking forward for photos on thursday

Good that you trusted your ears instead of going for a brand.

I still think however that you should not yet have made a decision. Hope you made the right choice

I'll definitely post some photos once its safely in place.

torquenale, I understand what you mean when you talk about soul, as that's what made me realise the shortcomings of my digital, it just doesn't feel 'alive'.

wouter, I do agree that it would have been best to hold of on purchasing, but in my defence, I'm not so sure there was much risk involved. The piano sounds and feels great, the dealer has a great reputation and the piano is brand new. I'm simply not experienced enough to notice subtle differences between certain pianos. I did feel and hear enough to know that the one I bought will be good for me, certainly good enough to get me further along the path of learning.

When/if I reach a stage where I want to upgrade (there's a grand with my name on it somewhere) and I better understand what it is in a piano I prefer then I will certainly use the advice given on these forums, as it could be the piano I stay with. The one I have just bought wont be my last piano purchase.

I hope I'm making sense and don't appear to be making excuses because I do value the help and advice of all you,great forum members.

Neil.

Some people agonise over a house purchase and live in it a good while before they realise they've made a wrong decision.

I knew on our first date that my wife was the one and I proposed on the third. She's still the one.

If you're happy with your new piano now, enjoy it.

When and if it no longer appeals as much, be grateful for the development and experience it's given you. In monetary terms it may owe you nothing.

Chris Venables makes good pianos. Like a handmade guitar it may not sell for as high a price but is typically worth more than a production Gibson. If you like your piano now, keep it well maintained and there's no reason why your grandchildren shouldn't like it either.

Long health to enjoy it, Neil.

The main risk is if you need or run into a better piano too quick.

Congratulations!.... I don't know diddily about pianos. I do know this. There are people out there...like the custom furniture manufacturers.... they love what they are doing. In piano's, they may not have a name like Steinway...but they sure put as much heart into manufacturing as Steinway.
The best piano is the one you love.

That's wonderful. I bet your piano will sound wonderful. I tried the Yamaha upright range too and was similarly a little disappointed. Different strokes for different folks.

Congratulations!!!!

Now we want pictures.

You are in for a treat. There are few experiences better than sitting down to your newly delivered piano for the first time. Enjoy.

Way to go!
When you know it's the one, you stop looking.
We found ours at the 2nd shop we went to when we were just doing some preliminary exploration.

Congratulations on the purchase. Can't wait to see and hear it This story makes me long for buying one, too.

Yay! Congrats... Enjoy your piano!

Just a small update, delivery is confirmed for Tuesday (tomorrow) around 4pm.
I've got my lounge ready for it and I'm dead excited.

Neil.

Congratulations! How exciting! Be ready to be playing all day after your piano comes. I have no doubt you made a great decision and you will have many great years together! Enjoy!

Congratulations, Neil! And no need to apologize. You went into your piano shopping better educated and with more full disclosure than the vast majority of first-time acoustic buyers. I am confident you made the right decision for you. And I am also confident that time will drag by slowly until tomorrow at 4:00.

Haha, thanks Monica, now I'm home from work with the day booked off tomorrow and I'm thinking you're right in that the minutes are going to be twice as long.

Quick question, I'm going to be biting at the bit to play it once its here, but should I hold off from using it right after the move, I know there is a long term settling in period, but is it harmful to use it right away. Probably a silly question, but thought its best to check.

Neil.

The absolute worst thing you can do to a piano .... is not play it!!!

Hi Neil and many thanks for your kind words about us in your earlier post. We're blushing (Thanks to zrtf90 for the complimentary post too)

Regarding your question re using your piano immediately after delivery, yes, of course you can. However, when having a piano delivered when it's very cold outdoors and warm in your home, the entire piano, inside and out, will become covered in condensation within minutes which is not good news. So, if convenient for you, before delivery lower the room temperature to be close to the outside temperature and keep it cool for the first two hours after delivery. If you are unable to lower the room temperature, then keep the piano closed for a couple of hours after delivery to allow the piano to acclimatise to its new environment.

Your piano is now tuned, prepped and loaded and will be with you later this afternoon. Enjoy!

Best wishes.

Chris