Any Piano Experts ?

[Betik]

I am thinking about upgrading my wife's piano. She has a Yamaha GB1K and I was thinking to get something better/bigger.
I am hoping to get some decent advice from someone who knows and I have ZERO piano or music knowledge.

Currently the piano sits on a 10 by 10 feet room, with 3 sides being wall and the 4th side open to the hallway. The new piano will have to make it at the same spot.
The floor is hardwood and so is the entire downstairs area. We have not made any sound improvements aside from the fact that both our exterior and interior walls are insulted.

I think of pianos like boats, bigger is better and this one is 5 footer, but I am not sure if going bigger makes sense for our room and generally speaking our set up. I have this recollection someone telling me, that in a piano quality is more important than size. So I do not know if I should spend the money on S7X or CF4.

any suggestions will be greatly appreciated

 

[HangOutdoors]

@Betik The GB1K is a good piano. I like the size. The tone on the S7X is fantastic. I prefer playing on it. The action on the keys feels so much better. I actually sold my Grand a Steinway Model B and went with the Yamaha Clavinova CVP. The keys feel Identical to the S7X, weighting is spot on. But I wanted to minimize the space. I now have the CVP-809GP. It is in storage till I finish the remodel and the dust settles. Also the additional features allows me to explore a lot of different things. What I truly enjoy is when I put on my Bose Headphones and play till my hearts content and I don't have to worry about everyone else around. The immersion is awesome.

None the less, the S7X is solid, definitely bigger. The CF4 which I have also played on doesn't impress me as much, especially with the cost and the shape/sound. It is more of a hall grand piano.

The sound of the room shape and how it will travel is also a consideration. If you can get the Mrs. behind the CVP-809GP and give it a solid run, You would be very surprised and please of the sound, the feel and the playability. Every sample is right on and pitch perfect, sampled from the Grand.

 

[Betik]

@HangOutdoors thank you for the feedback.
We have clavinova too. I am not sure what it is but in 2011 we paid over $3,000 for it.

 

[HangOutdoors]

The CVP-809GP is in a different realm than what you currently have. Gonna sticker out around $16k. I will guarantee if you put her or anyone who can play behind it with their eyes closed not knowing what it is they will swear it is a full string grand. If you are dead set on a grand then go with the SX7 or if you want to go top shelf, Steinway Model B or A, but you will feel the price a bit.

Just my opinions and thoughts on the matter. Hope it helps.

CVP Series - Overview - Clavinova - Pianos - Musical Instruments - Products - Yamaha - United States

 

[Betik]

oh wow for non acoustic that is a lot of money.

 

[HangOutdoors]

It is amazing though, at the very least try it out.

 

[Betik]

It is amazing though, at the very least try it out.

I was hoping to make it a surprise. Like the piano shows up at home kind of thing.

 

[HangOutdoors]

If really want me to be honest.... Your thought and gesture is awesome.

But, for me, the connection with the piano is a personal one. I could not have someone pick me one out. If you are going acoustic, each one feels different, even the same models. Sometimes the tones are different or the feel. Not really sure how convey it but hopefully you get what I mean. Perhaps take her out on a date, blind fold her and walk her in to the store and say pick the one you like the most. Let her play them all till she finds one that makes that connection with her!

None the less, that will be an awesome gift.

 

[Betik]

@HangOutdoors i understand very clearly what you mean. I need to think how to be creative about it. Thank you for letting me know

 

[Dixemon]

Ha, Ha, lets see when the last time I asked my wife to pick the one she wanted I ended up with a Denali Acadia. Doohh! Be careful . LOL

 

[anmut]

I used to work at a music store that sold pianos. HangOutdoors is correct on his information on the Yamaha. A few other things:

1) Do not place in a room with a window that gets a lot of sun on the piano unless you want to tune frequently. Also, tune twice a year at minimum. There's a website for the Piano Tuners Guild to find someone local to you. Interview your tuner as if it was someone you're trusting to work on your boat. A really good tuner will be able to not only tune the piano, but tune the piano to your wife's ear - brighten or darken the sound and adjust the action. If you have any fireplaces in your home consider purchasing a humidity kit. Soundboards can/will crack on any piano if the climate is too rough.

2) Yamaha makes fantastic pianos, but be wary of dealers that sell grey market pianos. These pianos are purchased by dealers in China from customers in Japan and sold to unofficial dealers in the US by the container. They'll look like an unbelievable deal but they're not the same quality (no matter what the salesman says) as the ones purchased from Yamaha. They're not warrantied by Yamaha and you will almost certainly have to do work on strings/pads/pins. DM me for more info on this - I used to work for a company that sold grey market Yamaha and Kawia.

3) If you're in a five digit zone for cost layout, there are some really great brands out there to look at. Don't be brand heavy, instead get her out there playing them. Nuances in the actions between brands and even different models of one brand can be vast. I know you want to make this a surprise, but I would caution against that. You wouldn't have purchased a boat as a surprise, correct? Same with a piano purchase.

5) Don't skimp on the bench/chair. Nothing wrecks a great piano like a sh*tty seat when you're playing it. Find something tuffted, adjustable, and without the squeeks of Chinese wood - a good one will start around $400.

6) Be wary of any used "high-end" pianos, especially Steinways. That brand carries a lot of weight with it, but they also made a ton of dumpy pianos. Used pianos carry a lot of baggage to them, and the older they are, the bigger the risk. If you're buying used, get a warranty from the dealer and read it with a fine tooth comb.

7) Don't discount a tall upright either. They're not as glamorous as a grand for sure, but the sound you get from a 52"+ upright can be better than grand. Actions are different too and many players prefer an upright action to a grand action.

8) If your room has hardwood floors put a rug down first before the piano is delivered - you'll thank me later.

 

[HangOutdoors]

If you do decide To look at the Steinways, I prefer New York Steinway, which mine was, vs the Hamburg Steinway. Hammer action and sound I believe are much better.

 

[Betik]

Thank you @anmut

 

[Robconn]

The CVP-809GP is in a different realm than what you currently have. Gonna sticker out around $16k. I will guarantee if you put her or anyone who can play behind it with their eyes closed not knowing what it is they will swear it is a full string grand. If you are dead set on a grand then go with the SX7 or if you want to go top shelf, Steinway Model B or A, but you will feel the price a bit.

Just my opinions and thoughts on the matter. Hope it helps.

CVP Series - Overview - Clavinova - Pianos - Musical Instruments - Products - Yamaha - United States

I was impressed on how a completely digital sound could duplicate the sustaining of a note as well. When my oldest was 5 he could practice with headphones and not disturb our newborn at the time. We have a Yamaha Clavinova a clp-130. Although a much lower price point, $1200, it is a testament to the quality of the Yamaha music brand.