Buying a piano

bogmanfan

Hey guys,
I'm looking to get the wife a piano for her birthday. She just started lessons a few months ago and is practising on a crappy Casio keyboard. The budget is quite tight - around €500 - so I'll be concentrating on secondhand. The main problem is I know nothing about pianos or any musical instruments.
First question would be should I go digital or acoustic? I know I could get a decent digital secondhand for this money, but would any acoustic upright in this price bracket be rubbish? I know she really likes the idea of an old-style upright.
Second question would be if I do go digital, any recommendations? There's a few Roland models on adverts right now which seem good. Any others?

bush Baby

If you can get a Yamaha clavinova that's the one I'd go for but they tend to be dearer than €500 but you might be lucky

istillgotit

in my opinion, I would go accoustic.
Ive been looking at this one here -

http://www.pianoforsale.co.uk/beautiful-small-upright-schaefer-piano

Bit far away, I know but it might not cost to much to get it sent over.

I am also watching this -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Beautiful-small-modern-6-octave-Zender-overstrung-piano-/130399403429

CiaranK

I'd say have a look in Pianos plus just off the M50.

bogmanfan

Thanks for the replies. Going to head up to Pianos Plus this week. Had a good look around and would rather an acoustic alright. Just worried that €600 would only buy something rubbish.

bogmanfan

Anyone dealt with Precision Pianos in Dundalk? They have a range of 'starter' upright pianos for around €600-€800. All are supplied with warranty and tuned perfectly. Worth a spin up from Dublin?

izzydumpling

I have heard good things about Precision Pianos - but after looking all around (for a piano for my daughter) I found The Piano Gallery the best option. Also a bit of a spin (not as bad for me as I am in Kildare) but a huge range from under €1000 I think.

The advice my daughters teacher gave was to make sure not to buy a straight strung piano - had to buy one that crossed over - the strings or something!

Good luck

nialldabass

Pianos are a minefield, spent 20 years french polishing them, you really need to bring either the teacher or a piano tuner with you, and get at least a years warranty. You know their are alot of great digital pianos out there, make shure you get properly weighted keys though. and £600 would pick you up a fine one. Now I dont play myself but £600 from a shop will get you nothing, talk to the guys at piano plus, they used to be very good 15 years ago Im sure they still are. good luck

eman66

I bought from Precision Pianos. They were a pleasure to deal with. And they did a deal too. One thing though, the models at the lower end of the price range, sub €1000, were not very good at all. They were nicely restored, but played awful. You're talking a minimum of €1500 for a decent second hand, in my opinion.

For a beginner, at your price point, I would go for a second hand Clavinova, bought privately.

Edit: They also give a 5 year warranty.

Dave!

Here ya go mate, this is a good one to learn on
http://www.thomann.de/ie/thomann_dp30_rwc_set.htm

It's E450, with free delivery (from Germany). Weighted keys, etc.

I got one and the only problem I had was after a few months one of the weights came loose from the key. But it comes with (I think) a 2 year warranty, so I could have had it repaired, except I was leaving the country so didn't bother.

I also recommended it to another chap on boards, and he bought it and was well impressed.

We also got the same piano for my brother for his birthday, and his is still working perfectly. He's doing lessons/grades at the moment. My 8 month old niece also likes it She generally just smashes it though!

Definitely recommended for a beginner

bogmanfan

Thanks again for all the replies guys. I've been looking around over the last few days and after talking to her piano teacher, I've decided it's going to be digital. I've also decided to up the budget a bit, so looking at a Yamaha Clavinova.
For anyone who knows the range, is the CLP-330 (http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_clp330_r.htm) worth the extra money over the CLP-320 (http://www.thomann.de/gb/yamaha_clp320_r.htm)?
Also, how would an older top-of-the-range model like the CVP-203 (http://www.pianocentre.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=41_81&products_id=340) compare to these?

nialldabass

I would not rule this one out , in your original price range aswell, as long as the keyboard feels right I would not worry about the bells and whistles

http://www.pianocentre.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=41_81&products_id=339

Looks like they have a good range, check and see what they have in stock so you can see for yourself, they have new for E600+

pavb2

http://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php

Here's a good piano link for your wife I bought mine from Jeffers Pianos in Bandon, good range very helpful but may be too far good luck.

bogmanfan

Thanks to everyone for their help. I ended up getting a Yamaha Clavinova in Monaghan Music & Piano Centre on Saturday. Great selection up there, and the prices were fantastic - even cheaper than Thomann.de.
Thanks again to everyone for their help and suggestions. Now I just hope she likes it

nialldabass

They hold their resale value really well:D But I'm sure she's gonna love it