Since mid Sep, the family has been on a search for a replacement piano for Joel.
How this search was started –
1. In Jun, we bought a paddle step and slow-fall gadget from Century Piano (Beach Road) for our existing piano and got to know that the shop owner, Patrick, is a great tuner. In Aug, we’ve got Patrick to tune our piano and he mentioned that we may wish to get a replacement piano.
2. Joel’s teacher feedback that at higher grades, it’ll be good to change a piano mainly bec of the touch.
Some background considerations
1. Joel is currently the only one learning piano and he’s moving to grade3 in Mar 2013. He may go to grade 5 or 7 but don’t think he’s the diploma type. (so piano is good for another 3-5yrs of his intensive use)
2. If the little gal (yet to be born) shows greater interest than Joel in playing the piano, this piano is good for another 10years of her intensive use.
3. Seeing that it’s likely 10years of use, we are ok for a 2nd hand piano purchase that can keep its value (so we can re-sell and upgrade if necessary).
4. If our gal shows real interest and talent (diploma and above!), we will then get a brand new fantastic one (maybe even a grand if we change house).
5. Piano should be good for another 30yrs, for grandchildren’s use for lower grades
6. With possible long term view in mind, we are not getting China / Indonesia made pianos (as heard that they can’t really last more than 10yrs). Only Germany, Japan or US made pianos because even Korean and eastern Europe (eg Czeh republics) made pianos quality are not so certain. But even if we get old pianos, should not be more than 20 years, unless they’re really good brands (eg Steinways which can still be of value at 50yrs!)
So I started reading up on Pianoworld forum, downloaded the entire Larry Fine’s piano book (fall 2012) supplement and visited many shops. Shops visited include –
Shop name contact name/ tel Address date visited
1 Spore Piano Shop / Eebo Music 62722590/ 81002896
http://www.pianoshop.sg 1001 Jln Bt Merah #03-05 Redhill Ind Est Flatted Fty 22Sep Sat
2 Robert Piano 63339495 Millenia Walk 9 Raffles Boulevard #02-33/36A 06Oct Sat
3 Music Clef 6337 7177 3 Temasek Boulevard #03-015 Suntec City Mall 06Oct Sat
4 Piano master 6747 7695 Blk 1016 Geylang East Ave 3 #01-143 06Oct Sat
5 Jesley Piano Mr Lim 94500108 Blk 1016 Geylang East Ave 3 #02-143 06Oct Sat
6 Chiu Piano 6454 7679 301 Upp Thomson Rd #02-06 Thomson Plaza 07Oct Sun
7 Yamaha Music sch 64505600 #03-24 THOMSON PLAZA 07Oct Sun
8 Cristofori Music http://www.piano.sg Junction 8, 9 Bishan Place #04-02D 09Oct Tue
9 Emmanuel n sons Mr Kwan, 6100 0111 37 Tannery Lane, #07-04 Tannery House 13Oct Sat
10 Zadok Music Shoppe Eric 6255 5450
http://www.usedpianos.com.sg 360 Balestier Rd #03-01 Shaw Plaza 14Oct Sun
11 Mun Kai Piano Co 64542483
http://www.mkpiano.com 37 Jln Pemimpin #04-01B Clarus Ctr blk A 14Oct Sun
12 Asia Piano 67638872
http://www.asiapiano.com.sg 605A Macpherson Rd #03-07 ,Citimac Ind Complex 27Oct Sat
13 Music Lodge 6569 0648 170 Up Bt Timah Rd #01-16. Bt Timah Shopping Ctr 03Nov Sat
Ok, now a discussion on each shop we’ve visited –
1. 22Sep – Found this “Spore Piano” shop as it is the top few listed via google. It’s our first shop so we’re not experienced at all. Met a china-born lady, the shop owner. She was teaching a student in her warehouse there. She let us try the pianos but Joel found some of the pianos out of tune. We see prices like $7k (not sure if it’s Yamaha U?) but she’s willing to give us $2k to trade in our old piano (so nett, we pay $5k). I bought a theory exam sheet from her ($5) which I later discover my usual shop (Chiu Piano) usually sells it at $1.50. Felt that her stuffs are expensive, don’t feel affinity to buy from her and also, she doesn’t tune some of her pianos.
2. 06Oct – After reading a few webpages on the piano world forum (PW), we decided to see the brand new Kawai piano to have a feel. At Robert Piano millennium walk, the sales lady and guy attended to us for more than 1hr, allowed Joel to try all their upright pianos and 1 grand at the display (we didn’t ask to try their grands in the rooms). The lady played 1song only (Teresa Teng’s song) while the guy played Richard Clayderman’s songs. Found the service good, they didn’t talk bad abt other piano shops / brands but shared abt Kawai technology, quality and value. We were considering their new showroom K6 ($10k), K7 ($10.8k) and K8 ($12.4k). Sales guy actually suggested that K6 will suffice instead of pushing their K8. Good experience and education.
3. Then, we went to Suntec Music Clef (since it’s near Millennium walk) to check out Yamahas. There’s a can’t-be-bothered Filipino saleslady and we weren’t too impressed with their U1 and U3.
4. Left that area and went to Geylang to try Piano Master (1st floor) (also recommended by PW). Sales guy kept pushing china-brand Hailun (which we don’t even want to consider) though Joseph was impressed by the sounds of the brand new Grotian upright (He actually didn’t know the Grotian was a top branded piano and was only commenting on the sound.). But the Grotian was way off our budget at $38k. We shortlisted the brand new Petrof P135 K1 $18.8k (135cm). Petrof P125 M1 (120cm) $12.8k.
5. Went 2nd floor to see Jesley Piano and talked to Mr Lim. Was guessing that he may be a technician (he was tinkling with a taken-apart grand piano) and explained that all pianos are good, even if they’re old (sort of explain why he’s only selling 2nd hand pianos). There are many 2nd hand pianos there (some are really cheap like few $100s only) but at that time, I’m not well-read enough abt 2nd hand pianos to trust my own judgement and do not trust the shop owner too easily (bec after all, they’ll make $ when they sell to us, so have a vested interest to promote his piano as above all the rest). But Jesley is a great place to go for those w very low budget (can find sub-$500 piano even!!)
6. 07Oct – went to Chiu piano to hear the sound of their pianos. Though we’re regular purchasers of their books, we’ve never tested their pianos before. Was impressed with their Schimmels (listed prices $21k, $26k and $28k) and W Steinberg ($23k) that Old uncle Chiu intro to us. As a friend will be recommending the owner (Ernest Chiu, son of old uncle chiu) to speak to us, we decided to revisit this place again and went to the Yamaha school nearby.
7. At Yamaha, we tried U1, U3 and YUS5. Preferred the sound of YUS5 and Joel liked the silent version (v cool to wear headphones). Joel actually demonstrated playing the YUS5 silent w me on headphones so I was impressed he can play the piano without hearing the sound and yet, get the notes correct! Was considering YUS5 silent at $17k since Joel like the sound, headphone function and probably when baby is out, Joel can practice anytime without disturbing baby. Nice sales lady told us there’ll be sale in Nov so to wait out for better prices. Left that weekend thinking abt brand new YUS5 or Schimmel or Kawai (not thinking abt Petrof now as a friend warned that Petrof may be inconsistent in its sound, if don’t know how to maintain / choose)
8. 09Oct – – was at Junction 8 so went to see Cristofori. Sales lady didn’t even come to speak to us. We tested the piano, saw the prices and decided it’s waste time there as china made / store brand pianos and was above market prices. But at least, they’re honest to list all details upfront.
9. 13Oct – – went to Emmanuel and Sons (as suggested by PW) and met Mr Kwan, shop owner and technician. Limited selection though Mr Kwan offered us the Ohhashi piano, a rare fully handmade piano. The sound is really clear, distinct (not muffled and not sharp like yamaha) but not quite to our taste. We prefer main stream brand and can’t appreciate the fully handmade piano. Joseph went around the shop and found an old yamaha u7 that he was impressed (rare but good sound w v good quality wood). Mr Kwan told us it’s sold already. But he opened his closed door room (personal collection?) where there are 2 grands and let Joel try the front one (not the back more than $300k one though). We’re really impressed with that sound. Talked a lot w him and got free piano education. He told us only stick to Japanese, specifically Yamaha and German. Told us not to consider Kawai though I’m not sure if it’s his professional skillful advice or he had a personal issue with Kawai. Advised us to visit again as he will have new models coming. I find Mr Kwan the eccentric type who is obsessed about quality and their crafts. Quite a trust worthy guy.
10. 14Oct – – went to Zadok (as suggested by PW) where we met shop owner Eric. Shortlisted Yamaha U5 $4.5k and Yamaha w-series (26yr) $5k there. Quite an honest guy. Was considering his pianos too, though we didn’t ask Eric for discounts.
11. Then went to Mun Kai Piano where owner quoted us Yamaha US-5x (20yrs) $6k and Kawai US70 (28yrs) $5300. Felt that he seem quite a trustworthy guy, told us he inherited his father’s piano business. We didn’t ask for discounts though.
12. 27Oct – – visited Chiu Piano again where we met Ernest. He recommended a Korean made piano but after trying that piano’s sound against his Schimmels, we decided NO to Korean piano. But was once again impressed by his Schimmel. He’s giving us a substantial discount (more than 10% off his list price for C120). V tempting but decided to think over though it’s cheaper than Petrof P135.
13. Then, we went Asia Piano. (also recommended from PW. Actually, days before, I visited asiapiano website and gotton Leonard, a Japanese certified technician, to drop in my house for a free review of my piano on 24Oct and he offered to do regulation for our piano. Our piano teacher was there and she knows him well and so bargain a good regulation price for us for regulation. But he told us to visit his shop and see.) Told us bec he knows our piano teacher and work with her on-off, will give us a good price. Shortlist Kawai DS7E (16yrs) less than $6k (list price $6600). Saw little water stained marks on the wood and white spots on inside board so asked Leonard if he has other sets. He said he still have 2 unopened ones from Japan so we asked him to contact us when he opens them so we can see.
14. Decided to go to Emmanuel and Sons again since it was near. Mr Kwan recognized us but don’t remember our names. He recommended Ohhashi again (said it’s his 2nd set) but we saw a Steinway, Schimmel and Yamaha W series. His Schimmel still tinkles, as sweet as Chiu piano brand new ones. We asked abt that Schimmel and he said it’s already sold for $5k. (what a deal!) We asked abt the Steinway and he said it’s german but he’d need 3wk to reconstruct it. Quoted $8k for Germany-made Steinway. He volunteered the info that he just sold an American Steinway. He said his Yamaha W series is not sold yet and looking at $4.8k. We took down the serial no. and noted that it’s 38yr old but quality (hammers, wood, etc) seem better than Asia Piano’s Kawai DS7E. But that Yamaha W exceed our preferred age limit.
15. Then, Yamaha Thomson sales lady sms me their updated prices – U1 $9.1k, $10.4k; silentU3 $10.9k, silent $11.9k; YUS5 $13.3k.
16. 03Nov – – we went to Asia piano again to see if Leonard had new Kawai. He didn’t have any new ones, but got his guy, Wee, to tell us abt the Kawai DS7E that we’re interested. We told Wee abt the watermarks and he clarified that those were oil marks. He bluffed the hammer felt and the marks are lightened. Wee showed us a set that has the real water marks so we can be certain the marks on the felt of the DS7E are not water mark. We asked Wee to compare DS7E to the current Kawai K series and he told us that DS7E is of similar class to K8. We told Leonard we’ve to think again
17. Then we went to E&S again to see that German Steinway. There, Mr Kwan was in progress of reconstructing it (so cannot play the keys). He has a Schimmel that’s now going for<$5k but it’s a v short model though it still sounds v nice. Wondering if to get that. We told Mr Kwan that we were at Asia piano before his store and told him we’re considering a Kawai DS7E. Told him we felt comfortable with the Kawai sound but would like to consider the Steinway. He told us if our preference is towards Kawai sound, we may not like the Steinway sound. Also, he said that getting a Steinway will need more maintenance than a Kawai. (strange that a seller will discourage a buyer from getting his stuff but somehow feel that Mr Kwan had our interest at heart). Anyway, we told him we were quoted abt $6k for DS7E and he recommended us to go to Music Lodge for a better price.
18. So off we went to Music Lodge to see their piano. Saw 2 sets that Kawai KL32BG $4500 (30yrs) and Yamaha U3 $6300 (22yr). Saleslady told us to contact her boss Mr Chng (94557879) to go to their warehouse (2019 Bt Batok Ind park A #03-260) to see more. But seem that their piano are quite old, above the age that we’re looking at, so not worth the trip to save a few $100s but gain a few 10s of years.
19. 12 Nov– , Chiu piano called and Ernest said there’s a 10yr old Wil Steinberg IQ28 abt $9k for us to check out.I brought Joel there and check out the sound on 21Nov and seem that while the sound is powerful, it’s not the sweet type that Joel prefers. Though v tempted to hv a full german piano and it’s only 10yr and v v well maintain (no scratches), think the Kawai may be more to Joel’s liking..
Given these considerations, I’m at the stage if
1. To get 16yrs old Kawai DS7E <$6k
2. To go to Zadok or Mun Kai or Music Lodge warehouse to see if they’ve other models that we want
3. To drop the search for the next few years (till no.2 can learn) and do a regulation of keys of existing Elington
Does anyone want to vote? Or perhaps suggest others?
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