Help buying an upright piano: Kawai or Yamaha OR WALTER?!

[Sigmund Floyd]

My daughters have taken to the lessons and my friend took her piano back so I'm looking for a replacement. So far it seems that the Kawai and the Yamaha are well regarded and good upright pianos, but we're talking used due to budget. I'm open to any brand but any suggestions/opinions would be appreciated. There is a Kawai UST-7 and an 8 in the area, along with a Yamaha U1 (but a little pricier). There's also a 1980 U3 that the guy is asking 4.5K for, maybe too much for us although I've heard its a great piano....

[55hz]

I tend to like Yamaha's over Kawai's every time. Playing wise, sound wise...I used to deliver them before I started teaching! Do you have room for a Baby Grand?

[Sigmund Floyd]

Yes, we could have room... I read that a good upright is better than a baby grand? I don't know...

[55hz]

From my experience, Baby Grands sound better every day of the week....

[FeloniousBishop]

Yamahas sound bright, Kawais sound softer/duller.

Since the hammers compress over time all pianos get brighter over time. So Yamahas can end up sounding pretty bright.

[cfo_deebiedaddy]

Given the choice I'd prefer a Yamaha over a Kawai. With that said, I'd also prefer Petrof or Boston uprights over Yamahas.

I am not a fan of baby grands, but to each his own. If I was moving 'up' from an upright, the smallest grand I would want would correspond to the Steinway M (I forget the dimensions).

[Bobbofallenstar]

Piano Tuner here.

Yamaha.

Stay away from Schafer and Sons. Go full upright or baby grand if you can or have the room. Spinets never sound as good as they look, even though they "fit" apartments well.

[Sigmund Floyd]

thanks for the replies and advice.... might try for a Yamaha U1

[felken]

Any experience form people here on Broadman pianos, apparently European parts and Chinese mfg

[Bobbofallenstar]

Never seen a Broadman piano.

[felken]

Sorry its Brodmann

http://www.brodmann-pianos.com/index.php?id=piano_slogan

[mc5nrg]

Check Craigs list- cheap or free- u haul pianos are regular items. Have a tech check it out before so you know it can be tuned. (Pianos that have not been maintained for long periods of time often are beyond help.)

[Keytar]

Yamaha. Tall uprights beat baby grands.

[Sigmund Floyd]

Well, theres a good music shop around that has a nice 90's Charles Walter Studio upright. I'd never heard of them but everything I've read is positive. It sounded great to my untrained ear. One question I have is they want me to pay for it first and then their technician is going to take the whole thing apart and clean it, check it or whatever. Is it normal to disassemble a piano and put it back together?