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Conference napalm::commusic_v1

Title:* * Computer Music, MIDI, and Related Topics * *
Notice:Conference has been write-locked. Use new version.
Moderator:DYPSS1::SCHAFER
Created:Thu Feb 20 1986
Last Modified:Mon Aug 29 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2852
Total number of notes:33157

2723.0. "PIANO HELP" by SNOFS2::KNIGHTPETER () Sat Sep 14 1991 07:28

    Hi,
    Can anyone point me to a note conference regarding acoustic pianos?
    I wish to pruchase an upright approx. US$2000 new and does anyone
    have any recommendations re. those made in Korea and Japan, ie.
    Samick?  Thank-you in advance,
    
    Peter
    
    
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2723.1listen,learn,researchPCOJCT::RYANMon Sep 16 1991 18:1140
    HI, 
    
    I just did a quick search using "piano" as the keyword, there are
    dozens of topics to choose from.
    
    F.W.I.W. I went thru a similar drill about 8 months ago, having a good
    background in electronic keys, I assumed the quest for and purchase of
    an acoustic piano would be a snap. Boy was I wrong, I had to learn an
    entire new vocabulary, and most importantly, decide what was and wasn't
    important to me regarding features etc.
    
    I visited all the local piano shops looking for a good used piano, I
    quickly abandon that idea when the cost of a good used piano started
    approaching the cost of an entry level new box. I did not seriously,
    consider buying private, choosing to pass on what was in good shape,
    what wasen't, how to move it etc. If your are knowledgable or have
    access to this knowledge, this may be an option.
    
    Regarding price, I found most "name brand" uprights to be in the 
    3-4K range. I did find a few in the 2K range, but these were names that
    were not familiar to me.
    
    After a lot of shopping, looking  and learning ( I contacted several
    piano technicans in the area to ask their impression of different 
    brands) we purchased a new Young Chang. The original price was 3.8K,
    but after several visits to the shop and a few bargining secessions,
    I was able to get it at a significant discount.
    
    I'd recommend starting at the library in the Consumer Report section.
    There are several recent (1-2 years) reports on pianos, they recommend
    brands (Young Chang was rated best buy) but more importantly, they
    explain terms that your likely to hear at the stores, so you can
    determine what is and isn't important to you and make a sound choice.
    
    
    Good Luck
    Gary Ryan
    
    PS: I wanted a Roland Digital, but after having the acoustic, have
    grown to love playing it...
2723.2re -1GIDDAY::KNIGHTPdo it in dublyTue Sep 17 1991 03:539
    Gary,
    	thanks very much for your  reply.  Your piano , in which country
    was it manufactured?
    
      How much did the tone differ from in the shop to playing it in
    your house?
    
    thanks 
    P.K.
2723.3better/worse or different?PCOJCT::RYANWed Sep 18 1991 21:1719
    Hi,
    
    Young Chang is made in Korea, this caused me some consern, but after
    talking to several piano techs, I felt comfortable with the quality
    etc. etc.
    
    There was a difference in sound at home from the showroom, not
    exactly better or worse...just different. In the showroom, the pianos
    were lined up at a 45 degree angel from the wall, when playing one, you
    back was facing the soundboard of another. The show room was about 50
    X50 square. At home, it's against a wall in an 18X24 oot room complete
    with curtains, furniture etc. It sounds a little "warmer" at home, also
    the reflection off the wall directly in front of the soundboard and
    other surfaces in the room seem tio provide a natural "reverb" that I
    didn't notice in the show room. Of course, sound is a very personel
    thing.....
    
    Again, good luck and enjoy,
    Gary