Steinway Piano Sale

[Imalldonethanks]

Has anyone been to one, and is it worth the trip?
My daughter is learning to play on a really old honky tonk piano that we got free from a neighbour. She’s sitting her grade 2 soon and wants to continue - but she will need a better instrument and I don’t know where to start (piano teacher not much help!).
So is it with the trip out to Heathrow this weekend?

[drummersmum]

Why Heathrow? Is that where it's happening? Or you mean you need to fly?
Do you have lots of money? Then go for a Steinway. If not, Yamaha can also take her all the way.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

First check eBay there are hundreds of good pianos looking for home cheaply and then you get the piano tuner in.

[Imalldonethanks]

Thanks all.
We went in the end - had a good look around and boggles at the prices!

I had already said we wouldn’t consider a Steinway, but looked at the cheaper range (Essex) which was still eye-watering.

I’m slightly loathed to buy off the Internet without being able to hear it first.
So Yamaha is a decent make?
Any others I should look for?
And what would be a reasonable amount to spend - i need a guide to be able to rule duffs out and not be unrealistic for what a decent piano costs!
Thanks

[LesLavandes]

Go to the Yamaha shop in London. They have a massive range of pianos and excellent staff to guide you, demonstrate and make suggestions. Do not buy off internet!!

[Minimusiciansmama]

We have a Yamaha and love it. We would like our forever piano to be a Yamaha U3 eventually. My DD and I are both working towards G4 x

[Ionacat]

Yamaha probably make the best digital pianos. However I’m not keen on their uprights, I prefer the Kawai, or Grotrian-steinweg. Lots of piano shops sell re-conditioned second hand upright pianos and will tune them in situ for you. You will get more for your money that way and you can play them first.

[flimp]

Definitely go and play some. You'll get an idea really quickly of what you want and can afford.

If you think your daughter's pretty good and will play for years, (and if you have space etc) I'd get a real one personally.

[jaws5]

My daugher got up to Grade 4 on an old honey tonk piano, it was fine and tuned once a year. After that we looked at many pianos (do not buy on eBay unless you can go and check it out and try it first) at several piano shops in London, she tried many pianos including clavinovas. In the end it was a choice between Yamaha and Kawai upright, and she chose a Kawai as she prefered the sound, it’s very personal. We bought it at Jacques Samuel Pianos and years later it’s her most treasured possession. It’s a big decision and if you can, wait a bit longer before she can decide herself which piano se prefers.