What are the pianos you have used before / are using now? Review!?

Question

Currently I have a Yamaha U1. I love the feel of the keys and sound. However, I'm looking for an upgrade so I would like to hear your opinion of the specific brands and models of pianos which you have used before or are currently using. Actually, I'm thinking about a 2nd hand Yamaha YUS3/5 (UX3/5). Anyone can share information about the abovementioned pianos?

Also, please share any reviews on 131cm (52") upright grand pianos of various brands with me? I would like to hear your views, especially if you've at least reached practical grade 7 and above.

Thanks.

Answer 1

I grew up with a Bradbury spinet, a source of great frustration for me. When I graduated high school I was given a Steinway model L (5'10"). Like a breath of fresh air.

Please don't use the term "upright grand" -- it makes no sense. You cannot compare the action response of a grand to any upright. Nor the sound quality of a totally open soundboard to sound bouncing around inside a box or reflecting off of a wall of uncertain composition.

Not that uprights are bad. The Steinway K-52 is a great instrument, and the only upright I know of that has a full sostenuto pedal.

If you are going to upgrade form a U1 (48" studio), a 52" studio is not much of an upgrade. A grand of 5'7" or more will give you a soundboard larger than what you have and an action response that will ruin you forever from playing any upright -- even a Steinway K-52.

I prefer the Boston grands to the Yamaha -- they are mellower and have a greater range of dynamics and color than the bright sound and light action of the Yamaha. I like firmer actions because they give you greater control of dynamics. Light actions are much more difficult to get a good pianissimo out of. When you combine light and bright, forget it.

If you want the best (and I always get plenty of argument about this) Steinway is unsurpassed -- but they are pricey. That is why the Boston makes so much sense -- they are designed by Steinway, and take advantage of a large number of Steinway features that you will not find with any other "line production" piano.

Some folks will say that the Boston is simply a rebadged Kawai (that is who manufactures it). I will be happy to go over the differences, which are many, between the two, but this is not the place for it.

I don;t know how much you have to spend -- the Bostons start at around $18,000. Uprights are certainly less expensive. The Yamaha 52" runs around $12,000 as does the Boston of the same size. I have no preference here -- either is good, It's up to your taste and preference in touch and tone.

Happy hunting!!

Answer 2

It all depends on what you like. My experience is that Yamaha has an easier touch, but Kawai has a better sound. Better yet, go for Steinway!!! The best pianos I have ever played. They combine good action with rich sounds. Obviously a grand piano has a better distribution of sound, but if you get a good quality upright, that is acceptable if you have space limitations.

Answer 3

Okay, This is my 7th year in piano, and I've learned awhile ago which piano is REALLY the BEST. It's an expensive piano, but worth every cent =)

Steinway & son..the BEST grand piano ever! They have an upright model, and my piano teacher said that it was very good compared to her 6' concert grand and she would have bought one (if she had room for another piano..) but seriously, the feel of those keys on a steinway grand, are AMAZING and steinway has such a nice, gorgeous sound that you couln't get out of any other piano.

Answer 4

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