I want to buy a new baby grand for my daughter (she will be starting her ARCT Performance this summer) and have been looking at Yamaha GC1, C1 and Kawai GE30, RX1. I would also consider a Yamaha C2 and Kawai RX2 if the price is right. I think our room can only accommodate a 5'8'' to 5'10" paino at most.

I am living in Vancouver, Canada. Apart from Tom Lee and Granville Piano, are there any other places I should look at to get a better price?

Should I be looking at south of border like Bellingham, Bellevue, Seattle, etc.? What kind of cost am I looking at to import a new piano from the States.

Your advice is much appreciated.

Well, if you're not absolutely wedded to Yamaha and Kawai you might want to pay Norbert Marten a visit at Heritage Pianos right there in Vancouver.

Also, try putting a template down on your floor. People often say that a certain size is the maximum possible only to find out that once in place the piano seems to shrink. Many makers' designs seem to bloom once they hit the 6'2" range or so. In my own experience, I have noticed a substantial difference between the C2 and C3 in the Yamaha line.

Cheers,

David F

I agree with David. See if you can fit in a slightly bigger instrument. It will pay dividends in the end.

Norbert at Heritage is a proponent of Chinese pianos as a slight persual here will reveal. But an open mind may be worth having in this regard. He has his knockers, but my instinct is that he is an enthusiast who will serve you well.

I am not a huge fan of the Yamaha sound and prefer Kawai, but in the end go with your gut feel. And remember, used can represent good value...

Kind regards

Adrian

Not always.

We sold more Estonia and other European grands recently than all Chinese grands combined.

As usual - show me your $$ - then I'll show you our pianos......

Norbert

Are they big ones?

ht:
Are they big ones?

(thread convergence warning)[/b] If yes, perhaps Norbert should rush over to the Whitney Houston personal effects auction and try to outbid Steve Cohen one one of those sequinned bustiers

-Michael B.

Hi Steady Eddie,

We highly recommend you visit Norbert at Heritage (we are one of the recent Estonia buyers). Norbert, by far was the most enthusiastic and opinionated dealer that we encountered. He was helpful, humorous and knowledgable. He does heavily extol the virtues of Steigerman Premiums and Brodmanns but use your ears and fingers and decide.

Here is a list of BC piano techs, piano stores and authorized dealers that may help in your quest: http://www.canadianpianopage.com/bcpage.htm

Thank you all for your advice. I'll pay a visit to Norbert's store.