I had a previous post on a used Kawai RX3 but we didn't get it. So here we're on the hunt again. Our budget is $10 to $12k for a baby grand/grand preferrably new since we don't know too much about the piano. At least the new one typically comes with a 10-year warranty.

The piano is for our 5 year old daughter. We don't really have any preferrence on the sound, bright or mellow. Our daughter likes pop music if it makes any difference. So the quality of the piano and sound are the key. I happened to listen to Cristofori grand and found it very muddy. It could be my ears not the piano, LOL. We hope whatever we'll get can last my daughter many years down the road. Piano search is tediuos by the way.

Jeff Clef in my other post recommended Charles Walter. I'll check into it. Any other advice will be greatly appreciated.

Sunnyday,

Check out Hailun & Ritmuller. I did in my search and fell in love with one.

Jonathan

Sunnyday - I second what Jonathan said and would throw Brodmann pianos into that mix. Hailun, Ritmuller and Brodmann seem to represent the "cream of the crop" of Chinese-built pianos. In fact, I believe Jonathan and I both possess Ritmuller GH-170Rs! I love mine! You may find several models in each one of those brands' lineups that would suit your needs and are in that price range. My only concern, is your 5 year old really committed to learning to play the piano? If she were a bit older, it would be easier to lay out that kind of money. Kids that age can be rather fickle in their desires and I'd hate to have you go through the scenario in a couple of years of ..."Well, I spent sooo much money on that piano and now you don't bother with it!" - or "Now you want to play guitar (or violin!)" Good Luck!

I don't think a new Charles Walter grand is in your budget. Perhaps a used one.

At your budget range, I think you're restricted to entry level Chinese pianos (if you're set on new). I agree with those who already posted that Hailun and Brodmann are notable ones to look at.

That budget is very close to a Kawai GE-30, which is worth checking out.

You won't touch a Walter for that price. I'll throw Perzina in the mix too but personally I wouldn't recommend a new grand if you and your wife do not play. In fact this is one place where I'd probably recommend (gasp) digital. Something like a Roland RD series is more than enough to learn on as a beginner - I played one for many years before I bought the acoustic. A digital will have other sounds to help keep her entertained and motivated and the investment is a LOT less. It's portable. She can use headphones. It can easily run into GarageBand or something if her interests run that way. Look at like the Nord Stage or the Roland RD-700 - Both of them are extremely capable instruments used by pros. If you can find them used, so much the better - a used RD-500 can probably be had for like 500 bucks. Will technique suffer? No, I don't believe so - not at FIVE anyway. If she shines five years down the road then you can take *her* to pick out something that she likes.

Personally I would recommend a stage piano and advise you avoid "digital pianos" that looks like a real piano. You can get a *killer* setup for 5000 bucks (a bit more if you go for e.g. the Roland V-piano) and a perfectly adequate setup for a beginner for $3000 or so (for instance an RD-700GX + speakers + stands). To check these out go to Guitar Center, not piano stores.

If you want a beautiful piece of furniture go for it, but if you buy it and it doesn't "take" a digital slab is going to be way WAY easier to re-sell.

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for your reply. Both Hailun & Ritmuller dealers about 3 hours away. Not sure if any local stores carry them. will check them out.

Sunnyday,

I understand - I had the same issues, 1.5 hours for Hailun and a plane flight for Ritmuller.

In the budget I was working with (very close to yours) I could not find anything I was happy with until traveling to see them. I figured with the amount of money I was going to spend, I owed it to myself to at least try everything I could.

Emissary52 is correct, I ended up with a Ritmuller GH170R and could not be happier with my purchase. I even began lessons again after not having taken them for over 30 years.

Good luck,

Jonatha

It's sooooooooooo funny. Our daughter has told us that she will learn piano at 5 and violin at 6. It's a little hard to explain the learning process to her at her age. I did tell her since she wanted to learn piano, she would have to make a commitment - daily practice just like the daily homework she has been doing. She gave me a big "okay".

I did check out the Brodmann piano online. One CE175 is sold at $7995 and claimed to be new. Unless my research on this model is wrong, the price seems unbelievable.

jawhitti,

Thanks for your advice. My friend bought a Yamaha digital piano 2 years ago around $4k and has been pretty happy with it. For some reason I just can't keep my eyes off the grand pianos. They just look so gorgeous. The moment we decided on buying a piano, my husband volunteered to learn piano as well. So I hope it won't be a complete disaster if my daughter decides not to continue any more. Or I'll blame my husband for it, LOL...

Sunnyday,

That does sound like an amazing price for the Broadmann CE175.

I was able to play one of those along with a PE187. Of course i liked the PE a little better. Ended up being put of my price range.

Jonathan

Like Jonathan and Emissary52, I also ended up buying the Ritmuller GH170R. I think its a lovely sounding piano. I did not try the Brodmann, but I preferred the Ritmuller over the Hailun 178. Purely a personal taste.

If you think your daughter is interested in piano -- go for it. I bought the piano for my then 7-yr old daughter. She had been playing on a digital piano for about 3 yrs prior to that. While its only been 6 or 7 months since the purchase, so far she just can't stop playing it.

>We don't really have any preferrence on the sound, bright or mellow. Our daughter likes pop music if it makes any difference. So the quality of the piano and sound are the key. I happened to listen to Cristofori grand and found it very muddy. It could be my ears not the piano, LOL

So you DO have a preference.

Just visit a few dealers and listen to all their pianos. That may clear up your mind on your preference.

And I don't know your daughter but generally I would not take a 5yo "okay" too serious...