amt7565 said:
Are there any folks here who own and play grand pianos? I am in the market for a baby grand and I am looking for some ideas. Looking at the Yamahas and Baldwins. I loved the Steinway Bostons, but they are new and a bit out of my price. Any suggestions for pianos with good touch and playability? I found the Baldwins to be very easy to play.
please post.
thanks.
AMT
If you are planning to use this for recording, I would recommend against getting a baby grand at all. Actually, even for general playing a baby grand is a comprimise. You are compromising the sound quality of a normal grand for the smaller size.
I would recommend to shop around for at least a "studio" grand (5' or longer).
As far as brands, it really depends on your taste and you should simply try out as many pianos as possible before choosing. Also, your taste will be widely influenced by what type of music you are planning to play.
Yamahas and Baldwins tend to play and sound entirely different. I personally do not like Yamahas very much at all. I would agree with the other poster that said their concert grands are nice though, but still I would choose a different piano over them, just because they are generally too bright for my taste. OTOH, if you are playing rock, or want your piano to cut through other instruments and such, Yamaha might be a good choice.
The baldwin generally has a softer tone, maybe even a little dull in less expensive, not well taken care of pianos. But I think the baldwin is more pleasing to play solo piano works on.
My personally preference would be a Steinway, but the cost is often prohibitive, so I do not own a Steinway.
Some of the Chinese and Korean pianos (Young Chang, Samwick, Pearl River) are a good deal for the price, and again depending on what you want to do with it. If it's just for practice, and enjoying by yourself, I would get one of these, they sound good and play well at a low price. Not the best option though for recording and attracting clients who know about pianos.
I would simply check the used market, especially now there are many people willing to sell their nice pianos at a discount due to not many people being able to afford luxury items such as a piano.