The grand piano projects better for an audience, that's for sure but I feel Upright piano gives you the best sound experience for the pianist. Back against the wall with the sound coming right to your face. That's a plus for the upright.
An excellent summary, that still only goes partially into the complexity of these instruments. I work in the piano industry myself and am often amazed at how little is understood about these amazing instruments by customers and pianists alike. This was an excellent summary. Thank you.
One important consideration when purchasing a piano and considering size is the size of the ROOM that the piano will be in. I own a Schimmel upright 47". I was considering a taller piano, but luckily someone with knowledge convinced me to go smaller because he knew the size of the room it was going to be in. Something too large can overwhelm a medium to smaller room and can actually feel oppressive.
Really informative and easy to listen to video. I can now go into a showroom with some techniques and knowledge about what to look and listen for and what kind of questions to ask. Thanks so much for your hard work.
Hi, Stu. Thank you for this very informative and comprehensive guide for upright pianos. It made we want to spend hours and hours in a store playing and trying all sorts of uprights with the guides you gave in my mind. 🙏👍
This is one of the most helpful videos about anything I've ever watched. I learned so much! Succinct, objective with just the right amount subjective opinion to make a more informed decision. Great job! Also, "a wonderfully made piece of furniture that is also a piano" is one of the funniest things I've ever heard. Not sure if there was some shade meant to be thrown there, haha.
Even more Hilarious is Hybrid pianos you can make silent so you don't interfere with cranky old neighbors that prefer the music of death metal or rap or the banshee howling of their little brats. When he played that hybrid, I have never heard a more "dead" sounding piano!
I still have a 38 inch janssen spinet from 1952. And you know, people like to rag on spinets but it sounds quite nice, they used some nice quality materials, despite the natural shortcomings of a spinet.
Pin block construction is a great barometer to judge instrument quality. Keystick wood density contributes to the aspect of touch more than you might tend to believe, in my opinion. Also. Look carefully at string coil positions. It tells a lot about craftsmanship integrity.
Really interesting and helpful video. I’m not in the market for a new upright but just a fan of all things piano and also this channel. Best regards from England.
This video was very helpful and informative thank you very much I love you video I was all of your video thank u i will be waiting for your next video's
This has been a fantastic video to watch...I have been trying to decide whether I am making an error by buying a 125-126cm instead of a 132cm...so your video gave me peace of mind... then the next one whether factory or hand made.. Really Stu, thanks so much for this video.... I am testing a w. Hoffman T128 .
Years ago I bought a one owner used Mason & Hamlin upright which I love. I have it in my apt in NYC and it has travelled with me quite a bit the past decade. It rarely needs tuning or adjustment. It doesn’t lose tune. It replaced an ancient Grand that had been doped before my purchase and couldn’t keep a tune more than a few months. . I have been playing hours daily since the lockdown here in March and my Mason Hamlin needs a bit of work after 40 years in my possession. I think just new pads. It still has the original everything. It’s a beautiful piano and is pitch perfect. It sparkles in the treble - sounds great playing Debussy and 18th c pieces. I’ve been working on Rameau, Handel, Bach and Clementi. Op 36 which is a staple at Juilliard for entry students sounds lovely and resonant on the M&H. I think playing one composer so much over an extended period has caused my current small problem. Will get a tech in when our building allows non owners into our building. In the meantime I’ve been playing around with a Yamaha keyboard which has a fun sustain for pieces written for a harpsichord. The new Hamlin 50’ retails for $35,000. They are made in the Boston area and Steinway still makes pianos in Queens, NYC and Hamburg. I’ve never loved the ASIAN pianos cause there is too much extra noise in the strings more than the surrounding strings. Steinway, which is now Chinese owned, has made some errors using inferior components but every piano is unique. I would find a really good used piano with great sound and have a technician spend some time with you to understand what will really be needed. Best to wait some time after a move before having work because you may just need to pay again after a few months. If you like the way it sounds don’t have anyone out. You will just cause future problems and expense. Get the best piano your budget allows.
Hey, Stu. Thanks so much for all your great videos. Have you had a chance to look at any of the Vienna Feurich pianos like the 123, 133, etc.? They are incorporating a similar technology to Takumi for creating a repetition experience like a grand (High-Speed KAMM). They also have a number of other really revolutionary design features in terms of the action, case design, damper system, angle of bass strings... Oh, and they sound wonderful!
Im by no means a musician, i just play for fun but ive had access to alot of fancy pianos via my school (including fancy high end grand pianos they use for shows and stuff) but so far my favorite piano has been the yamaha u100. Its really responsive, sounds good, the mute pedal actually properly mutes it among other things.
Really an excellent class about upright pianos. Of course there are many more components to talk about it, but for a kwik chat is more than enough, thanks and congrats to Merriam pianos and Stu
Wow, I never heard such an eloquent debunking of American upright pianos as this one! "If you are looking for a wonderfully made piece of furniture that is also a piano, that [i.e. an American upright] is an excellent solution." Surely someone in New York at the Stainway sales department was spilling his coffe mug over the desk.
Absolutely fantastic Video about Acoustic Pianos which a lot of retailers never tell you about. What I want to know is, does Yamahas floating solid soundboard make a difference? All Kawai have tapered soundboards where as post 2005 Yamahas created the floating soundboard to allow it to resonate more
To me one of the best american used pianos are Everett Studio 45' tall. Beautifull bass and excellent action. I just purchased one 1973 which was tuned 15 years ago and was pretty much in tune. Excellent instrument.
Amazing video, as usual. I've recently discovered your videos and love watching them. I'm going to buy either a C. Bechstein Concert 8 or a C. Bechstein Residence. I love the Concert 8, but it seems a little strong for an apartment. I'll use the Vario silent system with it, but also want to play it without the silent system. I've spent lots of time in the C. Bechstein showroom playing the Concert and a little time on the Residence. I'll spend more time on both. This video was excellent, answering many questions that I didn't even know I had. Thanks so much for all your excellent videos.
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! The C. Bechstein Concert 8 is an exceptional instrument. In my opinion, it is the best upright piano in the world. Have you explored the Concert 6 model? It might be an excellent choice for you as well. It is a brand new model from Bechstein. :)
@@MerriamPianos I would consider the Concert 6, but the C. Bechstein dealer in my city doesn't have one. I'm going to another city with a C. Bechstein dealership soon and will see if they have one. Thanks!
I got a used Sohmer piano, like a 44, 45, 46... I forget exactly but it's within that range. I've read up on them a little bit, but was wondering if anyone here had any experience with them and thoughts. I had yamaha and baldwin (as well as baldwin spinoffs) within the price range that were options to me, but based on my limited testing of the local selection I went with this based on sound. Solid spruce soundboard and I do have to get it tuned more than I'd like to, minimum twice a year, but ideally 3-4 times to really be in good tune. I paid 3500, not sure if that was a good price or not, but there was another extremely similar Sohmer, like nearly identical, that was also for sale in the area and it was listed for like 1 or 2 grand more than mine was listed for... and no i didn't pay list price.
Great information. I'm interested in uprights due to space. If others are also interested, could you complete a video comparing a hybrid digital/Acoustic vs Acoustic with a silencer added. I need to be able to use the piano in a shared environment so I'm trying to decide if its better to get a hybrid or to get a higher end acoustic and add the silencer. Also have you ever reviewed Feurich brand?
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! We're glad that you found the video helpful! Best of luck through your research/searching process. While you may not be able to take Stu with you during the shopping process, hopefully, our huge library of video reviews and comparisons will be helpful. :)
I'm planning to buy a Schimmel C121 or Yamaha YUS1. I live in Belgium, not US. Is Schimmel a reputable brand as well? The C121 is made in Europe (even though Schimmel is owned by Chinese now). Around 15.000€...
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! It comes down to a matter of personal preference of course. In my opinion, the higher-end Kawai digital pianos (CA701/901 and NV5S/10S in particular) are quite impressive when it comes to the quality and authenticity of their piano samples! :)
I'd say that COVID was a factor in piano sales - I personally bought a piano because I felt that I was going to spend more time indoors and, so needed a piano more than ever to spend my time and energies. And the reality is that my home doesn't accommodate a baby grand properly.
Very interesting and informative! Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge here! I only wish that I could afford a real piano. But then I'd need to live in a rental house where having a piano would be allowed! Not always a given in Japan, alas! "Maybe someday." Thanks again very much for so generously sharing so much here!
@@MerriamPianos All thanks from me to you! I really enjoy your videos and am learning a lot from them. I also love your piano playing as well! I wish I had your knowledge and skills!
i own a Zeitter & Winkelmann upright (from the '30s i guess) which I love since my childhood for its warm and rich sound, a great instrument for ease of play and feeling. Do you know this brand and in that case, what's your opinion on it?
Hi! Brent here! It is awesome to hear that you are enjoying your piano. I am not familiar with the brand personally. But, the most important thing is that it is providing a musically satisfying sound?
@@MerriamPianos absolutely, it's a german piano which sounds very charming and "hi budget" for the time. If you come across a similar one make sure you try it :)
Good that you mention Charles Walter, but you do these excellent uprights a disservice when you generalize about American pianos. A Walter studio upright could never be described as a nice piece of furniture that also happens to be a piano. Renner actions, a unique design that allows a larger soundboard and longer strings than would be expected in a 45", deep powerful bass along with good midrange frequencies--I believe the Charles Walter to be the equal of any Steinway upright.
WOW. If you haven't watched and listened to this explanation you could well make bad decision, every word makes sense and I now know a lot more. I stopped by as we are about to buy our daughters a better piano than the elderly Challen and Petrof that we already have. As an audio engineer I understand musical instruments but regarding the construction techniques I had none of this detail. What decision will I make? Probably a Kawai K300 as I prefer the warmer low end at home and I think it will feel more like the Steinways that they play for performances. Extra points also go to this company as they bother to make good recordings when demonstrating the instruments. With most other companies I'm listening to the room acoustics.
Chris, thank you for the awesome compliments, and most of all I'm so glad that you found the video helpful. Thanks again for the support and good luck with your search!! -stu
@@MerriamPianos Thanks Stu, I'm sorry we live in Slovenia and not Canada but your videos were the ONLY place where I found studio quality recordings of every piano I was considering. Having decided to try, I did find a local dealer (Benton) who had most in stock and who, in spite of being closed (Covid) left me and may daughter alone in the showroom for a couple of hours. Of course we decided way over budget! The Kawai K500 will be delivered this week! Thank you for a great resource. Maybe we will post a performance.
Recently purchased a Kawai K-15 as my first piano and your videos helped a lot in making a tough decision. Thank you for everything you do for the people interested in pianos! I will definately stop by next time I'm in Toronto. Btw from experience a video on loudness of uprights, grands, practice pedals... using a DB measure would be great.
Hi Karl, I also recently bought a new K15? How are you finding yours? I’m a beginner but it does sound very different to the Yamaha Arius digital I had before it. Is yours staying in tune? I’ve noticed some notes sounding a bit off and it has been tuned since I got it. I got it at the end of June 2020. It also has a completely different action to my piano teacher’s piano (I prefer mine) which makes it hard switching between the two pianos. A piano teacher here on RUclips advised against the K15 as it’s built in Indonesia and said Japanese built pianos are superior.
@@johnflavin1602 Tune of a piano depends not only on build quality but also on temperature & moisture changes. Put a thermo- & hydrometer next to your instrument to see if there are severe changes, they affect tuning. New pianos specifically don't keep tune very well in the beginning, so that could be the reason aswell. I like K15s and if you like it aswell, even more than your teachers piano, then you made a good choice! Indonesian Kawais are worse than Japanese ones, just like Japanese Kawais are worse than Italian Faziolis and Austrian Bösendorfers. The YT-teacher may be right, but his doesn't matter here ;)
@@itseme4779 thanks. I have a hygrometer in the room to check humidity levels. I’ll get it tuned twice a year for a while because it’s new and see if it settles down.
@@johnflavin1602 I've been loving it to be honest the resonance is amazing and the action is nice for an upright its size. I'm coming from an unweighted keyboard but did take a lot of time choosing pianos and found the smoothness/eveness of the action from top to escapement to be nice (especially compared to Yamaha). To me personally it was about getting a piano that had a tone that resonated nicely and the K15 definately had that. I had my first tuning before delivery and my second will be about 3 weeks after I received it. I expected it to go out of tune as a new or even used piano always will when changing humidity but it held up nicely just a couple notes starting to drop now (about 2 weeks in).
Hello! Can someone answer me this: Did old Zimmermann pianos have good reputation for their quality? I have my grandma's old piano, bought in 1934 and imported from Germany , a 54 inch Zimmermann piano with ivory keys, in very good exterior condition, but left unplayed for decades. What is approximately its worth? Also, it is worth restoring it? Thank you..
I think it will essentially depend on the overall condition of the piano and the amount of work nessary. "Left unplayed" doesn't mean anything in this regard. You should check whether the soundboard is cracked, whether the pins are loose or any strings severed. Are all the keyes in line and do the give a sound? At the very least, the piano will need regulation, intonation, probably new hammers and several voicings. I have looked up Zimmermann upright piano on websites, but haven't found many from that age. Zimmermann was not in the league of first class pianos, but rather middle of the road. This is not Bechstein or Steinway, nor even Grotrian or Ibach. The value might be between US$ 500 - 2000. A fully restored Zimmermann might be worth between US$ 3.000 - 4.500. Consider whether it has sentimental value to you and if you could make it playable with an acceptable sum of money. This is a fully restored one: classicpianos.de/2019/02/07/klavier-zimmermann/
Am I the only one who prefer the aesthetic of the upright? I'm not saying I hate to see a grand but I love the upright aesthetic even if it looks like an elaborate wooden box.
Thanks Stu for the very informative video. One thing I wonder, are there any other producers that make longer up-right keys other than Kawai? What are the pros and cons? Also I am wondering what kind of bridges are used in kawai K-300, K-500 and K-800 vs say a C.B Concert 8? Thanks in advance
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and supporting the channel! We're glad to hear you have found the videos helpful! To my knowledge, the Kawai K series uprights have some of the longest key sticks of any uprights on the market. There are really no cons to longer keys, just pros. A longer key stick/pivot length reduces the change in dip from the front of the key to the back, which leads to a greater sense of ease and control to the player. This helps with expression and dynamic control as well as overall responsiveness. In terms of bridges, Kawai typically uses hard rock maple or beech for their bridges while the C. Bechstein Concert 8 features a solid German red beech bridge. Thanks again and hope this helps! :)
a wonderful explanation! thanks! i have an old yamaha upright that was bought new at least 40 years ago. it has been moved several times and never tuned since original delivery. i'm thinking of having it tuned and wondering if that is a good idea given its age....
Thanks so much for the kind words and for tuning in! We appreciate it. :) It is difficult to say without assessing the instrument in person. With that said, Yamaha uprights from 40 years ago still have market value. From that perspective, it would be a good idea to get an experienced technician to do a tuning and assessment of the piano to determine its overall standing both mechanically and musically.
I have been wondering what happened to the Korean piano industry-hopefully, we’ll get more details in that “Pianos of the World” installment. I have been quite happy with my Weber (Young Chang) 46-inch upright from the early 1990’s, which I thought was undervalued at $2500 when I bought it new, and it has held up well. Very curious to know why that industry crashed.
Tackling a deep dive into the history and major players of the Korean piano industry would make for an excellent instalment into the "Pianos of the World" series. Thank you for the suggestion! While there does not seem to be as many dealers in North America as there one was, South Korean companies like Young Chang and Samick are still operating and going strong. In fact, Samick manufacturers a lot of instruments for other companies (predominantly out of their Indonesian factory). Piano brands like Knabe, Johannes Seiler, and Eduard Seiler are all made by Samick in fact. :)
It really depends on the model, finish, and condition. If you get the model name, you should be able to get a ballpark figure for the average selling price in your market by searching the model on places like Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji. You could also connect with a piano dealer that buys used instruments as well. :)
I was of the understanding that the very reason a person would purchased a new Mason and Hamlin was because their Wessel, Nickle Gross action was MORE precise than probably anything else available in a comparably priced European piano. And yet Stu says they are LESS precise. Does anyone have personal experience?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! At the end of the day, it is a matter of preference and opinion as words like "responsive" and "precise" can be a little subjective. With that said, I personally always trust Stu's assessment as he is a master-level player, so I imagine he experiences and detects a tremendous amount of nuance and detail when he plays any piano. :)
@@MerriamPianos Sure, beauty and feel are subjective, I did not mean to imply that I have ever thought otherwise! I was just asking if anyone had a personal experience with the Wessel Nickle and Gross action .Gosh, I wasn't attacking Stu, I have no reason to not take his opinions as valid. , which is exactly why I want more insight since in reviews, so many professional classical musicians seem to feel that it is actually more precise than what they can get from European or Asian pianos. Again, does anyone have personal experience with this that they would like to share? I am all ears. And when did Stu try it? Which iteration was it? That would be very relevant to my quest for more insight. I don't see this is off topic since it was mentioned in the video and described as not precise
Hello Merriam Music, why couldn't you Try Remaking A Daddy Grand Piano by putting on 88 Tuning Forks like what you did on an Upright Piano, Please do the Same Thing on a Daddy Grand Piano For Most of us RUclipsrs, It will be a much Better Idea For us so we can Try and See and Hear Pianos with 88 Tuning Forks inside Thank You.
Thank you kindly for the suggestion! We do catalogue and document all of the suggestions from our subscribers and always appreciate the feedback. We will certainly add that to the list for potential future videos. :)
When You Have Insomnia, You’re Never Really Asleep...And You’re Never Really Awake
The grand piano projects better for an audience, that's for sure but I feel Upright piano gives you the best sound experience for the pianist. Back against the wall with the sound coming right to your face. That's a plus for the upright.
An excellent summary, that still only goes partially into the complexity of these instruments. I work in the piano industry myself and am often amazed at how little is understood about these amazing instruments by customers and pianists alike. This was an excellent summary. Thank you.
This has got to be the most valuable RUclips video I possibly ever watched! Thank you so much!
Stu’s videos are always great but this one is really outstanding.
Excellent video. Such a natural presentation from a thoughtful musician. Much appreciated.
One important consideration when purchasing a piano and considering size is the size of the ROOM that the piano will be in. I own a Schimmel upright 47". I was considering a taller piano, but luckily someone with knowledge convinced me to go smaller because he knew the size of the room it was going to be in. Something too large can overwhelm a medium to smaller room and can actually feel oppressive.
This is tremendously helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to help us understand. Keep up the good work! Love the videos!
Superb tutorial on upright pianos! Learned a great deal.
This helped so much in narrowing down what I was looking for! Thank you!
The best piano video I have ever watched!!! thank you so much. It helped me to decide which upright piano to buy.
This was very informative. Thanks and subbed.
Thank you for such a thorough and informative video. Very well done.....and super helpful.
A real Master Class. Thanks a lot for your work!
Great video...the information you provide is mind blowing....I know a lot more now that before. Thanks
very helpful and informative! thank you!
Really informative and easy to listen to video. I can now go into a showroom with some
techniques and knowledge about what to look and listen for and what kind of questions to
ask. Thanks so much for your hard work.
Hi, Stu. Thank you for this very informative and comprehensive guide for upright pianos. It made we want to spend hours and hours in a store playing and trying all sorts of uprights with the guides you gave in my mind. 🙏👍
My Piano Sound from Brazil
ruclips.net/video/zhsdhpZUlHw/видео.html
Great info , thanks so much 🙏🏻
This is one of the most helpful videos about anything I've ever watched. I learned so much! Succinct, objective with just the right amount subjective opinion to make a more informed decision. Great job!
Also, "a wonderfully made piece of furniture that is also a piano" is one of the funniest things I've ever heard. Not sure if there was some shade meant to be thrown there, haha.
Even more Hilarious is Hybrid pianos you can make silent so you don't interfere with cranky old neighbors that prefer the music of death metal or rap or the banshee howling of their little brats. When he played that hybrid, I have never heard a more "dead" sounding piano!
Excellent video, I learned a lot with it, congratulations
Fantastic video! Thank you
Excellent Video. Appreciated!
Thanks for a really well-made overview!
I still have a 38 inch janssen spinet from 1952. And you know, people like to rag on spinets but it sounds quite nice, they used some nice quality materials, despite the natural shortcomings of a spinet.
Masterclass. Thank You.
Very informative!
School was in session with this video, very informative. Great job Stu!
Thanks for this incredibly thorough review
Excellent! I learned so much. Thank you, Stu.
We're so happy to hear that you found the video helpful! Thanks for tuning in! :)
Thanks for the video. It is shocking how much effort you put into your videos. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much! We're glad you enjoy the videos! Thank you for tuning in! :)
Thank you so much, Stu. Your videos are very informative and comprehensive. They are very helpful!
Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much for tuning in! We appreciate your support of our videos and channel! :)
Pin block construction is a great barometer to judge instrument quality. Keystick wood density contributes to the aspect of touch more than you might tend to believe, in my opinion. Also. Look carefully at string coil positions. It tells a lot about craftsmanship integrity.
So much in formation, thanks for that. Was this actually a one shot video? Respect!
Awesome presentation! Stu presents dry information in a manner that keeps you engaged.
My Piano Sound from Brazil
ruclips.net/video/zhsdhpZUlHw/видео.html
Really interesting and helpful video. I’m not in the market for a new upright but just a fan of all things piano and also this channel. Best regards from England.
My piano sound in my house from Brazil
ruclips.net/video/zhsdhpZUlHw/видео.html
Excellent presentation. Comprehensive and informative. Thank you for this video
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
I am amazed by how knowledgeable you are and the eloquence that you're getting your knowledge across. Big thumbs up 👍
Stu is both an excellent educator and player! We are very lucky to have his talents and knowledge. Thank you so much for tuning in! :)
Outstanding explanations, thanks so much!
This video was very helpful and informative thank you very much I love you video I was all of your video thank u i will be waiting for your next video's
I agree!
My traditional piano sound from Brazil
ruclips.net/video/zhsdhpZUlHw/видео.html
This has been a fantastic video to watch...I have been trying to decide whether I am making an error by buying a 125-126cm instead of a 132cm...so your video gave me peace of mind... then the next one whether factory or hand made..
Really Stu, thanks so much for this video.... I am testing a w. Hoffman T128 .
Thank you for such a wonderful review. This was an impressive presentation!
You're very welcome! Stu is fantastic and we are very lucky to have his talent, knowledge, and incredible pedagogical abilities! :)
SO MUCH GREAT INFORMATION...FANTASTIC REVIEW STU !!!!!!
Thanks Rafael! We're very happy to hear that you found the video helpful! :)
Great job ! Very informative ! :-)
My 🎹 Piano
ruclips.net/video/zhsdhpZUlHw/видео.html
Acoustic moves into my soul! Great video. Thank you
Thank you so much! We appreciate it! :)
Years ago I bought a one owner used Mason & Hamlin upright which I love. I have it in my apt in NYC and it has travelled with me quite a bit the past decade. It rarely needs tuning or adjustment. It doesn’t lose tune. It replaced an ancient Grand that had been doped before my purchase and couldn’t keep a tune more than a few months. . I have been playing hours daily since the lockdown here in March and my Mason Hamlin needs a bit of work after 40 years in my possession. I think just new pads. It still has the original everything. It’s a beautiful piano and is pitch perfect. It sparkles in the treble - sounds great playing Debussy and 18th c pieces. I’ve been working on Rameau, Handel, Bach and Clementi. Op 36 which is a staple at Juilliard for entry students sounds lovely and resonant on the M&H. I think playing one composer so much over an extended period has caused my current small problem. Will get a tech in when our building allows non owners into our building. In the meantime I’ve been playing around with a Yamaha keyboard which has a fun sustain for pieces written for a harpsichord. The new Hamlin 50’ retails for $35,000. They are made in the Boston area and Steinway still makes pianos in Queens, NYC and Hamburg. I’ve never loved the ASIAN pianos cause there is too much extra noise in the strings more than the surrounding strings. Steinway, which is now Chinese owned, has made some errors using inferior components but every piano is unique. I would find a really good used piano with great sound and have a technician spend some time with you to understand what will really be needed. Best to wait some time after a move before having work because you may just need to pay again after a few months. If you like the way it sounds don’t have anyone out. You will just cause future problems and expense. Get the best piano your budget allows.
I thought those are reed organs.
@@Tomos_J-J You thought without knowledge, information or "thought."
Great video as always
Thanks so much! We appreciate that immensely. :)
Everything I never knew I would want to know about these instruments, all very neatly packed up and delivered with an "AHHA!" ending. Thank you!!
You're welcome! Thank you kindly for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
Awesome video
Hey, Stu. Thanks so much for all your great videos. Have you had a chance to look at any of the Vienna Feurich pianos like the 123, 133, etc.? They are incorporating a similar technology to Takumi for creating a repetition experience like a grand (High-Speed KAMM). They also have a number of other really revolutionary design features in terms of the action, case design, damper system, angle of bass strings... Oh, and they sound wonderful!
Great knowledge of pianos and a great pianist as well.
Thanks so much for tuning in! Stu is a walking encyclopedia of all things piano and he's also a monster player! :)
WOW! This was amazing. Thank you for the clear and comprehensive explanation of the upright piano.
Im by no means a musician, i just play for fun but ive had access to alot of fancy pianos via my school (including fancy high end grand pianos they use for shows and stuff) but so far my favorite piano has been the yamaha u100. Its really responsive, sounds good, the mute pedal actually properly mutes it among other things.
Best piano education out there. If you’re looking to buy a piano watch as many of Stu’s videos as you possibly can.
That is a really amazing compliment! We appreciate that immensely! :)
My favorite is the Yamaha YUS3 with its 52 cm size. This larger soundboard I prefer and I have a home where the good volume it produces is welcomed .
My hat is off to you, sir!
Really an excellent class about upright pianos. Of course there are many more components to talk about it, but for a kwik chat is more than enough, thanks and congrats to Merriam pianos and Stu
Thanks a million! We really appreciate the kind words! We're glad you enjoyed it. :)
Great explanation. You nailed it! My wife is taking lessons, so we are in the market for a good pre-owned instrument. Thanks for the expertise.
You're very welcome! We're very happy to hear that you found the video helpful! :)
Been waiting for this one, thank you for making it!! Really really helpful!
My singular Piano Sound in my house from Brazil
ruclips.net/video/zhsdhpZUlHw/видео.html
@@correasilvio2010 your piano sounds lovely, what brand/model is it?
Very enlightening video ! What is your impression of the Feurich 133 upright ?
Thank you Stu!
Thanks so much for tuning in! :)
Wow, I never heard such an eloquent debunking of American upright pianos as this one! "If you are looking for a wonderfully made piece of furniture that is also a piano, that [i.e. an American upright] is an excellent solution." Surely someone in New York at the Stainway sales department was spilling his coffe mug over the desk.
And the comment was made so naturally.
😂😂
প
l
More like spilling his coffee mug over that Steinway keyboard
Absolutely fantastic Video about Acoustic Pianos which a lot of retailers never tell you about. What I want to know is, does Yamahas floating solid soundboard make a difference? All Kawai have tapered soundboards where as post 2005 Yamahas created the floating soundboard to allow it to resonate more
Very well!
My Piano Sound in my house from Brazil
ruclips.net/video/zhsdhpZUlHw/видео.html
If only this video were a bit more detailed and comprehensive (lol) WOW-Terrific!
To me one of the best american used pianos are Everett Studio 45' tall. Beautifull bass and excellent action. I just purchased one 1973 which was tuned 15 years ago and was pretty much in tune. Excellent instrument.
That's awesome! Congrats on your new Everett piano! Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
I own a late 1980’s Yamaha WX-7 52” upright piano. To me and to my tuner, it plays and sounds every bit as good as a grand.
The WX7 is a very powerful piano! We have had a few come across our showrooms on trade. Congrats on a wonderful instrument! Happy playing! :)
Amazing video, as usual. I've recently discovered your videos and love watching them. I'm going to buy either a C. Bechstein Concert 8 or a C. Bechstein Residence. I love the Concert 8, but it seems a little strong for an apartment. I'll use the Vario silent system with it, but also want to play it without the silent system. I've spent lots of time in the C. Bechstein showroom playing the Concert and a little time on the Residence. I'll spend more time on both. This video was excellent, answering many questions that I didn't even know I had. Thanks so much for all your excellent videos.
You're very welcome! Thank you for tuning in! The C. Bechstein Concert 8 is an exceptional instrument. In my opinion, it is the best upright piano in the world. Have you explored the Concert 6 model? It might be an excellent choice for you as well. It is a brand new model from Bechstein. :)
@@MerriamPianos I would consider the Concert 6, but the C. Bechstein dealer in my city doesn't have one. I'm going to another city with a C. Bechstein dealership soon and will see if they have one. Thanks!
Very Good also Furniture value ( Grands ) versus Technical value ( Upright ) for same price
C Bechstein concert 8 is priced much higher in US around 60k to 70 k $ US..but it costs around 38000€ in Europe and still less in Singapore
Great content. Just wish he used a locked down tripod for basic static shots instead of the nervous jerky action.
He's really good this guy!
I agree! Stu is awesome! He's an amazing player with an encyclopedia-like knowledge of pianos! :)
I got a used Sohmer piano, like a 44, 45, 46... I forget exactly but it's within that range. I've read up on them a little bit, but was wondering if anyone here had any experience with them and thoughts. I had yamaha and baldwin (as well as baldwin spinoffs) within the price range that were options to me, but based on my limited testing of the local selection I went with this based on sound. Solid spruce soundboard and I do have to get it tuned more than I'd like to, minimum twice a year, but ideally 3-4 times to really be in good tune.
I paid 3500, not sure if that was a good price or not, but there was another extremely similar Sohmer, like nearly identical, that was also for sale in the area and it was listed for like 1 or 2 grand more than mine was listed for... and no i didn't pay list price.
Great information. I'm interested in uprights due to space. If others are also interested, could you complete a video comparing a hybrid digital/Acoustic vs Acoustic with a silencer added. I need to be able to use the piano in a shared environment so I'm trying to decide if its better to get a hybrid or to get a higher end acoustic and add the silencer. Also have you ever reviewed Feurich brand?
Hi. Just wonder have you decided on which option to go with? I am debating the same
I love Uprghts cos thats what I learn,t on
Are the bass strings on the these uprights back spun?
Is a Schumann Special upright glass front that was made in Chicago worth anything?
Just seen this. A very useful introduction to a confusing world. I'm in London but looking for an upright. Wish I could take Stu with me. Thank you.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! We're glad that you found the video helpful! Best of luck through your research/searching process. While you may not be able to take Stu with you during the shopping process, hopefully, our huge library of video reviews and comparisons will be helpful. :)
I'm planning to buy a Schimmel C121 or Yamaha YUS1. I live in Belgium, not US. Is Schimmel a reputable brand as well? The C121 is made in Europe (even though Schimmel is owned by Chinese now). Around 15.000€...
Just made a deposit today for the lovely Kawai K400 at your Oakville location!
That's great Leo, you'll love it - a wonderful instrument for sure! -stu
Thanks for the video, Stu. I want to know which digital pianos have the best sampling of upright piano patches?
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! It comes down to a matter of personal preference of course. In my opinion, the higher-end Kawai digital pianos (CA701/901 and NV5S/10S in particular) are quite impressive when it comes to the quality and authenticity of their piano samples! :)
I'd say that COVID was a factor in piano sales - I personally bought a piano because I felt that I was going to spend more time indoors and, so needed a piano more than ever to spend my time and energies. And the reality is that my home doesn't accommodate a baby grand properly.
Is the kawai k 15 god for pro player in for classik musik ? ☺️ or is a bigger piano better??
My 🎹 Piano Sound
ruclips.net/video/zhsdhpZUlHw/видео.html
Awww that's why I couldn't play properly pianissimo on my 1971-made upright Kawai KST-5... (around 45 inches height including the wheels) ?
Very interesting and informative! Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge here! I only wish that I could afford a real piano. But then I'd need to live in a rental house where having
a piano would be allowed! Not always a given in Japan, alas! "Maybe someday." Thanks again very much for so generously sharing so much here!
You're very welcome! Thank you for taking the time to tune in and write in with your kind words! We sincerely appreciate it. :)
@@MerriamPianos All thanks from me to you! I really enjoy your videos and am learning a lot from them. I also love your piano playing as well! I wish I had your knowledge and skills!
i own a Zeitter & Winkelmann upright (from the '30s i guess) which I love since my childhood for its warm and rich sound, a great instrument for ease of play and feeling. Do you know this brand and in that case, what's your opinion on it?
Hi! Brent here! It is awesome to hear that you are enjoying your piano. I am not familiar with the brand personally. But, the most important thing is that it is providing a musically satisfying sound?
@@MerriamPianos absolutely, it's a german piano which sounds very charming and "hi budget" for the time. If you come across a similar one make sure you try it :)
Good that you mention Charles Walter, but you do these excellent uprights a disservice when you generalize about American pianos. A Walter studio upright could never be described as a nice piece of furniture that also happens to be a piano. Renner actions, a unique design that allows a larger soundboard and longer strings than would be expected in a 45", deep powerful bass along with good midrange frequencies--I believe the Charles Walter to be the equal of any Steinway upright.
Yes, my studio 44 is so loud to be played in Carnegie 😄
WOW. If you haven't watched and listened to this explanation you could well make bad decision, every word makes sense and I now know a lot more. I stopped by as we are about to buy our daughters a better piano than the elderly Challen and Petrof that we already have. As an audio engineer I understand musical instruments but regarding the construction techniques I had none of this detail. What decision will I make? Probably a Kawai K300 as I prefer the warmer low end at home and I think it will feel more like the Steinways that they play for performances. Extra points also go to this company as they bother to make good recordings when demonstrating the instruments. With most other companies I'm listening to the room acoustics.
Chris, thank you for the awesome compliments, and most of all I'm so glad that you found the video helpful. Thanks again for the support and good luck with your search!! -stu
@@MerriamPianos Thanks Stu, I'm sorry we live in Slovenia and not Canada but your videos were the ONLY place where I found studio quality recordings of every piano I was considering. Having decided to try, I did find a local dealer (Benton) who had most in stock and who, in spite of being closed (Covid) left me and may daughter alone in the showroom for a couple of hours. Of course we decided way over budget! The Kawai K500 will be delivered this week! Thank you for a great resource. Maybe we will post a performance.
Recently purchased a Kawai K-15 as my first piano and your videos helped a lot in making a tough decision. Thank you for everything you do for the people interested in pianos! I will definately stop by next time I'm in Toronto.
Btw from experience a video on loudness of uprights, grands, practice pedals... using a DB measure would be great.
My traditional piano sound from Brazil
ruclips.net/video/zhsdhpZUlHw/видео.html
Hi Karl, I also recently bought a new K15? How are you finding yours? I’m a beginner but it does sound very different to the Yamaha Arius digital I had before it. Is yours staying in tune? I’ve noticed some notes sounding a bit off and it has been tuned since I got it. I got it at the end of June 2020. It also has a completely different action to my piano teacher’s piano (I prefer mine) which makes it hard switching between the two pianos.
A piano teacher here on RUclips advised against the K15 as it’s built in Indonesia and said Japanese built pianos are superior.
@@johnflavin1602 Tune of a piano depends not only on build quality but also on temperature & moisture changes.
Put a thermo- & hydrometer next to your instrument to see if there are severe changes, they affect tuning.
New pianos specifically don't keep tune very well in the beginning, so that could be the reason aswell.
I like K15s and if you like it aswell, even more than your teachers piano, then you made a good choice!
Indonesian Kawais are worse than Japanese ones, just like Japanese Kawais are worse than Italian Faziolis and Austrian Bösendorfers. The YT-teacher may be right, but his doesn't matter here ;)
@@itseme4779 thanks. I have a hygrometer in the room to check humidity levels. I’ll get it tuned twice a year for a while because it’s new and see if it settles down.
@@johnflavin1602 I've been loving it to be honest the resonance is amazing and the action is nice for an upright its size. I'm coming from an unweighted keyboard but did take a lot of time choosing pianos and found the smoothness/eveness of the action from top to escapement to be nice (especially compared to Yamaha). To me personally it was about getting a piano that had a tone that resonated nicely and the K15 definately had that. I had my first tuning before delivery and my second will be about 3 weeks after I received it. I expected it to go out of tune as a new or even used piano always will when changing humidity but it held up nicely just a couple notes starting to drop now (about 2 weeks in).
Hello! Can someone answer me this: Did old Zimmermann pianos have good reputation for their quality? I have my grandma's old piano, bought in 1934 and imported from Germany , a 54 inch Zimmermann piano with ivory keys, in very good exterior condition, but left unplayed for decades. What is approximately its worth? Also, it is worth restoring it? Thank you..
I think it will essentially depend on the overall condition of the piano and the amount of work nessary. "Left unplayed" doesn't mean anything in this regard. You should check whether the soundboard is cracked, whether the pins are loose or any strings severed. Are all the keyes in line and do the give a sound? At the very least, the piano will need regulation, intonation, probably new hammers and several voicings. I have looked up Zimmermann upright piano on websites, but haven't found many from that age. Zimmermann was not in the league of first class pianos, but rather middle of the road. This is not Bechstein or Steinway, nor even Grotrian or Ibach. The value might be between US$ 500 - 2000. A fully restored Zimmermann might be worth between US$ 3.000 - 4.500. Consider whether it has sentimental value to you and if you could make it playable with an acceptable sum of money. This is a fully restored one: classicpianos.de/2019/02/07/klavier-zimmermann/
You can check the serial number to see when the piano was built: merz-klaviere.de/service/zimmermann.php
Petrof
World class
Am I the only one who prefer the aesthetic of the upright? I'm not saying I hate to see a grand but I love the upright aesthetic even if it looks like an elaborate wooden box.
Thanks Stu for the very informative video. One thing I wonder, are there any other producers that make longer up-right keys other than Kawai? What are the pros and cons? Also I am wondering what kind of bridges are used in kawai K-300, K-500 and K-800 vs say a C.B Concert 8? Thanks in advance
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in and supporting the channel! We're glad to hear you have found the videos helpful! To my knowledge, the Kawai K series uprights have some of the longest key sticks of any uprights on the market. There are really no cons to longer keys, just pros. A longer key stick/pivot length reduces the change in dip from the front of the key to the back, which leads to a greater sense of ease and control to the player. This helps with expression and dynamic control as well as overall responsiveness. In terms of bridges, Kawai typically uses hard rock maple or beech for their bridges while the C. Bechstein Concert 8 features a solid German red beech bridge. Thanks again and hope this helps! :)
a wonderful explanation! thanks! i have an old yamaha upright that was bought new at least 40 years ago. it has been moved several times and never tuned since original delivery. i'm thinking of having it tuned and wondering if that is a good idea given its age....
Thanks so much for the kind words and for tuning in! We appreciate it. :)
It is difficult to say without assessing the instrument in person. With that said, Yamaha uprights from 40 years ago still have market value. From that perspective, it would be a good idea to get an experienced technician to do a tuning and assessment of the piano to determine its overall standing both mechanically and musically.
I have been wondering what happened to the Korean piano industry-hopefully, we’ll get more details in that “Pianos of the World” installment. I have been quite happy with my Weber (Young Chang) 46-inch upright from the early 1990’s, which I thought was undervalued at $2500 when I bought it new, and it has held up well. Very curious to know why that industry crashed.
Tackling a deep dive into the history and major players of the Korean piano industry would make for an excellent instalment into the "Pianos of the World" series. Thank you for the suggestion! While there does not seem to be as many dealers in North America as there one was, South Korean companies like Young Chang and Samick are still operating and going strong. In fact, Samick manufacturers a lot of instruments for other companies (predominantly out of their Indonesian factory). Piano brands like Knabe, Johannes Seiler, and Eduard Seiler are all made by Samick in fact. :)
How much is a Yamaha used piano, made in japan in 2004, hammers not worn out , perhaps not used that hard , or always!
Anyone knows ? Thanks🥰🎶🎶🙇♀️🙏
It really depends on the model, finish, and condition. If you get the model name, you should be able to get a ballpark figure for the average selling price in your market by searching the model on places like Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji. You could also connect with a piano dealer that buys used instruments as well. :)
@@MerriamPianos U1🥰🎶
Is it just me, or Stu kinda looks like Snufkin from Moomin Valley (coolest character ever made btw)
That is a new one, but I suppose I can see some resemblance (especially the hair style)! :)
I was of the understanding that the very reason a person would purchased a new Mason and Hamlin was because their Wessel, Nickle Gross action was MORE precise than probably anything else available in a comparably priced European piano. And yet Stu says they are LESS precise. Does anyone have personal experience?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! At the end of the day, it is a matter of preference and opinion as words like "responsive" and "precise" can be a little subjective. With that said, I personally always trust Stu's assessment as he is a master-level player, so I imagine he experiences and detects a tremendous amount of nuance and detail when he plays any piano. :)
@@MerriamPianos Sure, beauty and feel are subjective, I did not mean to imply that I have ever thought otherwise! I was just asking if anyone had a personal experience with the Wessel Nickle and Gross action .Gosh, I wasn't attacking Stu, I have no reason to not take his opinions as valid. , which is exactly why I want more insight since in reviews, so many professional classical musicians seem to feel that it is actually more precise than what they can get from European or Asian pianos. Again, does anyone have personal experience with this that they would like to share? I am all ears. And when did Stu try it? Which iteration was it? That would be very relevant to my quest for more insight. I don't see this is off topic since it was mentioned in the video and described as not precise
Hello Merriam Music, why couldn't you Try Remaking A Daddy Grand Piano by putting on 88 Tuning Forks like what you did on an Upright Piano,
Please do the Same Thing on a Daddy Grand Piano For Most of us RUclipsrs, It will be a much Better Idea For us so we can Try and See and Hear Pianos with 88 Tuning Forks inside Thank You.
Thank you kindly for the suggestion! We do catalogue and document all of the suggestions from our subscribers and always appreciate the feedback. We will certainly add that to the list for potential future videos. :)
The 4 dislikes are people who spent too much money on an upright
Edit: rip dislike counter
Lol
exactly. same price acoustics uprights x electronic pianos... electronic pianos are much better. I recommend them for students.