Hi Everyone

Well, nearly a year later than oiginally planned I have finally been out and looked and tried out some pianos. I was very nervous at first pulling my music out and playing in a shop in public but I knew that I had to do it.

I have fallen in love with the first piano that I tried. But I still went round the shop and tried all the others, including a Yamaha Grand which was way out of my price range.

I tried Yamahas,Kawai and Gebr Perzina in different models.

The one that I love is a Black Gebr Perzina 122, I found it difficult to compare because I loved them all, that probably comes from playing such an old piano that has so many keys that stick and I need to press the keys down hard.

The piano is made in China but all the parts come from Germany.

Advice please anyone, what do you think? - Oh and this piano is in stock and they can have it with me within a week!

ET

How much is it?

If you can afford it, I would definitely push the boat out and go for the 129. I think you would appreciate the greater depth of tone.

Hi Thanks for answering

The Piano is £2850 and to be honest that is over budget as I had thought £2500. Also the 129 was not in stock, that would mean waiting for 3 months. Do you think the Gebr Perzina's are a good buy?

The man in the shop was very good and took the top and front off so that I could see inside and explained how it all worked, but in reality my knowledge is not strong on the inside of a piano.

For a new piano, that is good value. They are obviously a brand with a long history, but I wonder if these days it is just a 'front' for cheap manufacturing elsewhere. I guess it comes down to whether or not you are happy with the sound/touch. Might be worth having a word with a piano tuner or two and see what they think with regards to reliability...

These Perzina pianos (German name, Dutch ownership, China manufacturing) seem to have a good buzz in the marketplace.

You could do some searching on this forum for more information from other shoppers/buyers: www.pianoworld.com

I have played several in stores here and have been favorably impressed. They seem very good value for money and sound much better than YAY (Yet Another Yamaha)

I know I've said this previously on another thread so I'll not say too much here; only that some places do a rental scheme whereby any rent paid goes towards the cost of the piano should you eventually decide to buy it. One such source is 'Clive Pinkham Pianos', based in Cornwall; I think his minimum price for one of his own new uprights is around £3,500, but you could rent it in the first instance then buy later should you wish to. He also 'tailors' the tone and touch to your preferences and will deliver the piano to you (no matter where you are in the U.K.)
I'm renting one at the moment and like it - mellow tone and easy to control action (although I also know of some people who don't like them much).
Anyway, it might be worth looking at his website as this could offer you another option.
Regards,
Robert

Thanks so much for that link, I have taken a look and it definitely looks like go for it! I a hoping to have the time to sort it out Monday morning if I don't forget, as got to take my son for his Grade 3 flute exam!. Hopefully I should be in possession of it within a week.

The problem now just sorting out a space for the old piano as it has sentimental value for my husband as it was his grandfathers. I can't let him get rid of it, plus it is here then for when my grandsons come and want to have a go on the piano, as I wont be letting them near my new one!

ET



Hi Robert

Thanks for the advice about renting a piano, the shop that I am at also does rental schemes. However, my concern was whether I was doing the right thing purchasing a piano made from China, although all the parts were made in Germany as it is a lot of money to pay out if it wasn't going to last the same.

I loved the feel and the tone and also I am told that they can tailer the tone and touch if required. This shop is local and 2 friends have purchased from there already over the last couple of years, they both bought Kembles which I now understand have become Yamaha.

The man in the shop seemed very genuine and trustworthy, not pushy at all, and as I say only 10 minutes down the road. The price for this piano is also cheaper than I have seen it on the internet - so it seems right that I should opt for this piano and shop?

I am so excited, yet so nervous it has taken me a long time to save the money up I just don't want anything to go wrong.

ET

Please be cognizant of the fact that there are various different configurations of Perzina pianos possible. Some with a high degree of Chinese parts. Others with actions from say Eastern Europe. And others with high-grade German Renner actions, for example. Don't be afraid to get clarity on exactly what it is that you are buying, compare the less and more expensive variants to each othe if possible, understand that no one pays list price and to negotiate a good price, get the terms of your warranty spelled out explicitly, etc.

Let us know when you have your new piano!

The way I understand it from the man in the shop the parts are not from China but Germany and I think he said Austria, I do trust this man as friends have built up relationships with this piano shop and it has a very high reputation. I don't think that they would sell anything but quality pianos as it would damage this very good reputation that they have held for I don't know how many years, I know myself that they have been around for at least 25 years in the same place.

Thanks for your help.

You dont seem to have considered Kemble, there is even a forum thread on these , and people with them seem to be very satisfied. Price level is right for you too.

Hi fsharpminor, I did consider Kemble, when I went to the shop I told the man that 2 of my friends had bought Kembles. He said that he didn't have any Kembles now as Kemble were now Yamaha. I tried a U1 and a U3 Yamaha, both secondhand , very nice but more expensive than the Perzina, but at the end of the day I still liked the feel and sound of the Perzina best.

Thank you for drawing my attention to the thread about Kembles. I looked up Kemble Pianos on the internet and they were in excess of £3000 which is above my budget. My budget was £2500 so I am pushing it at the £2800 for the Perzina.

ET

I'm was planning to buy a Kemble as I want something totally made in England (our ecomomy needs all the help it can get). But them I read this - http://www.piano-advice.org.uk/yamaha%20ke...elationship.htm (which basically says they're the same as Yamaha only more expensive. Now I'm not so sure what I want.

But I have seen the Kemble "Cambridge" for £2500 inc stool and UK delivery...

The way I read it Kemble assembled basically Yamaha pianos in the UK but fitted superior sound boards and hammers.

I introduced Kemble again on this thread, because my daughter bought a Kemble Oxford model and I enjoy playing it (I think it was a shop demo one from Chappells for around £2800), I guess that was about 5yrs ago now. As far as I know they still exist but it may indeed be that they just assemble Yamahas, with or without enhancements. My piano is (George) Rogers, bought new in early 70's. I think they were taken over by Yamaha too. I dont know anyone else with a Rogers. It came from H Lane in South Croydon, they had an absolutley huge stock to try , and I slightly preferred it to a Danemann (second choice). Anyone know if H Lane are still going ??

I've just been internet browsing at reconditioned Yamahas (imported from Japan where there is no second hand market - so the site says) - these seem good value at about a third the price of new (e.g. U3 for 2300). The disadvantage seems to be that you just have to order it and have it delivered - no chance to try it out.

I would want to try it out though, wouldn't you? Thats why I liked the idea of the piano shop that is close to home, also if there are any problems I know that I would get good service.

I am being good though and haven't rushed to ring them and order. I think that we will try and get hold of our piano tuner and see what he thinks, he will at the end of the day be the one that has to keep it in tune.

(but then hey, part of me wants to be rash so that I can play on a lovely instrument instead of one that the notes seem to stick half the time! )

ET

About 6 years ago I went to one of the Hal Leonard workshops (some of you may have been to them too) in the "factory" that assembles the Kemble pianos in Milton Keynes. I don't really remember the details of the factory - who owns it etc, but I do remember being told that actually the Kembles were less expensive than the Yamahas and were basically the same piano with maybe different casing.