Need opions on Petrof and Weinbach
isc...@ix.netcom.com
I am setting out to buy a KAWAI CX-21, the dealer keep saying KAWAI
or YAMAHA is not a good brand. She even open a KAWAI and shows the
plastic parts in it and she said both KAWAI and YAMAHA will only sound
good for few years only. She stronly recommend a Weinbach which is
manufactured by the same company that makes Petrof. For the Weinbach
104, it is a 44" and it looks pretty good and it cost about $1,000
more than the KAWAI CX-21. At the same moment, I notice a Petrof 115
which sounds pretty good and it cost another $1,000 over the Weinbach,
but it is an 48". According to the dealer, most of the piano teachers
that are associate with them do own a Petrof.
Is Petrof or Weinbach a good brand ?
How is the resale value on the Petrof, Weinbach, Yamaha and Kawai ?
Is YAMAHA or KAWAI only sound good for few years only and it will go
down hill ?
For kids just start learning piano, which brand is a good choice ?
Is Petrof or Weinbach will last longer ?
Please give your opion !!
Richard
Thomas D. Seay
At the University where I work, we have many Yamaha U1 pianos (48 inch)
that are about 15 years old. They are some of the best pianos in our
inventory and have held up very well under heavy use.
It零 important to remember that sales people generally praise their own
product and run down other manufacturer零 products. I have heard this
same old song and dance about plastic parts for years now and my
experience has been that those parts hold up better in most cases that
wooden ones. I would disregard about 95 per cent of what that person
told you. Yamaha and Kawai are both excellent manufacturers and produce
a wonderful product, as does Petrov.
MidiSX
I took lessons on a Yamaha Studio (P-22??) and liked it bright sound. So I
got a price from one dealer and went comparison shopping at dealer #2. At
dealer #2 they had a Baldwin Studio next to the Yamaha. When played side
by side, the Yamaha seemed to be too bright - especially in the upper
register.
So, I went comparison shopping for a Baldwin at dealer #3. They tried to
sell me on a Weinbach. I had heard a Petrof couple weeks earlier but that
dealer didn't have the model/color I wanted within my buying timeframe.
To make a long story longer, I bought the 44" Weinbach and I love it. It
has details not found on the mass produced Asian pianos and sounds a bit
richer too me than the others (Yamaha, Baldwin, Kawaii). Like all pianos,
it will brighten up with years of playing.
If someday I find I don't like the Weinbach, I can buy up and apply the
full purchase price to the next one I buy (as long as it's at least twice
as much).
It's hard to buy a truly bad piano in the price range you're looking at.
They all will hold their value and last as long as you take care of it.
Happy hunting! (Isn't piano shopping frustrating??)
Stephen Arthur
at a piano dealership, I have seen a great preference for
Asian pianos (such as the Kawai you mentioned) among jazz players,
and a great pref. for European pianos (such as the Petrof)
among classical players. Traditionally Euro. pianos seem
to have a deeper, more mellow sound, while Asian pianos have a
brighter tone. This varies from instrument to instrument, of course,
but it might be something to think about. Let me know, please!
isc...@ix.netcom.com
Since you are working at a piano dealership, do you think a Weinbach
104 going for $3,900 is a reasonable price. Do you think the dealer
may go lower than this.
What you think about the Petrof vs a Weinbach, the Petrof is about
$1,000 more. Does a Petrof is a better choice for the long run.
Thanks
Richard
Rich
A dealer is offering a Weinbach 104 (44 ") for $3,900. Do you think
this is a good deal. I totally agree with you that the piaon is very
beautiful and there is not comparison with the Japanese make and even
the Petrof. But the Petrof which cost about $1,000 more seems to have
a brigter and lounder sound. In piano, is loudness matter.
Thanks for your advice.
Richard
Stephen Arthur
>
>Hi,
>
> Since you are working at a piano dealership, do you think a Weinbach
>104 going for $3,900 is a reasonable price. Do you think the dealer
>may go lower than this.
>
Some dealers leave plenty of room for bargaining, but it's not
carved in stone anywhere. Bargaining tactics often work, though.
A customer with cash can sometimes make a better deal than a customer
who wants to finance an instrument. I can't speak for other stores,
but when I was in the business (call it six months ago), $5,000
for a Petrof model 115 would have been a pretty fair deal for a customer.
I frequently saw them go for a thousand or two more. That was in
Houston, though, and I don't know other markets. Out of curiosity,
is it a 115-I or a 115-II or a 115-VII or a Chippendale or which?
Look for warranties, too. And of course, try out as many as you can.
A good "bargain" that you're not comfortable playing is no bargain.
Stephen
Rich
the Petrof that is offering for $4,900 is a Petrof 115 VI. By the
way what is the difference between 115 I, II, VI, VII.
Thanks for you advice
Richard
Rich
I am now considering two brands now, the Weinbach and Petrof. But the
Weinbach is $1,000 more. Does the Petrol 115VI worth the extra $1,000.
Stephen Arthur
> the Petrof that is offering for $4,900 is a Petrof 115 VI. By the
>way what is the difference between 115 I, II, VI, VII.
As best I recall (someone please check me on this), the different models
were all variations on a theme, so to speak, 45" console pianos
with slight differences to the cabinets or to the finishes. Our prices
were a bit high (I can say that now), but we generally charged $6,999
for the VI series. Any music dealers out there want to get in on this?
Stephen
Martin Chew
size piano (106 cm tall), while the Petrof 115 is studio size (115 to 117
cm depending on the model). The Weinbach may not have a full size
action. You might want to check on this.
The Petrof brochure shows models 115: I, III, VI, VII and IIP as studio
pianos with different furniture styles and finishes.
Hope this helps,
Martin
MidiSX
Petrof model (they're made at the same factory) was a bit higher. The
dealer I worked with said the Petrof's were priced higher to cover
marketing costs of the Petrof name. Weinbach is not being advertised as
heavily here in the states but has appeal because of its German sounding
name (for those who would'nt consider buying a Czech product?).
Rich
According to a dealer, she said $3,700 is only possible in the
beginning of the year. At this moment she is holding firm on $3,900
for a Weinbach 104 (antika, the better looking one). Which 114 model
is yours ? (the pain styling or the more fancy classical look one).
What is the difference between 104 and 114 ? Is 114 the 48" one ?
When I am looking at the piano, a semi-piano pro. walk in and he is
trying a Petrof grand and it sounds absolutely superb. I also asked
him to try out the cheapy Weinbach (compare to the one that is trying)
and it also sounds great in classical music. Also, which city you
bought your Weinbach in. I am in the L.A. area. Do you know is it easy
to find a Weinbach dealer ?
thanks
Rich
First I have to thanks all of you that contributes to my question. I
found the information that was given is extremely helpful for me to
boost myconfidence on the Petrof/Weinbach piano. Finally I have
decided to buy a Weinbach 114I Chippendale which is a great piano for
the price. The fine workmanship on these pianos are so superior that
is not easily found in other brands that are in the similar price
range. Although the Petrof is a more popular brand, but I just not
willing to pay another 8% for the name. The sound and workmanship is
extactly the same on both brands. I have talk to someother people,
they all say the Petrof/Weinbach is a great bargain. Since the Eastern
block country had came down and at the same time they are enjoying the
Most Favorite Nation treatment which translate to lower price to the
consumers in this country. I think I am make a good decision since
several years down the road, this brand probably will ask for a much
higher price.
Although I know nothing about pianos, with your help and my two ears
have I have learned a lot in this shopping excercise. I will keep you
post on this in the near future.
Thank you all again.
Rich
Mr Culpa
instrument for the first three years they had it; after that, it was like
it just started falling apart. It started not holding its tune, the
action started locking up in places, etc. Right now, it's been replaced
in the recital hall by a 7' Yamaha, and is the "on location" piano on
campus - primarily because they aren't quite so concerned if something
happens to it. I don't know if this is a common thing with Petrof pianos,
but that's what I've seen.
And, yes, they did have a competent tech working with it regularly.
Forrest Wakeman
PIANOSrUS
others. It has been a European treasure since 1864. I find it hard to
understand how it could not hold up. Many so called "techs" are actually
not well versed in european pianos, and I would gather after my own 20
years of experience with european pianos that the tech was the problem.
I'm sure an ace tech could whip that Petrof into concert shape.