Yamaha vs Charles R. Walter pianos
Dan Unzen
I have a question I am hoping someone in this group would know. I am in the
process of buying an acoustic upright piano. I am looking at either a
Yamaha or a Charles R. Walter piano. Both of them are the same price, so I
was wondering if anyone has an opinion leaning towards one or the other.
Any comments would be much appreciated. Thanks everyone!!
Dan
Rick Clark
First of all, there are better quality Yamahas, and lesser quality
Yamahas, so it would be helpful to know the specific model, just to
make sure you're not looking at a cheapo Yamhaha at an inflated price.
Secondly, the 2 brands you compare are so different in character, it's
hard to understand how they eneded up being the 2 choices.Normally,
they would appeal to entirely different tastes.
But to answer your question, perhaps a good way to explain the
difference is that the Yamahas tend to have very consistent
characteristics from piano to piano (given the same model) and tend to
have very few quirks or the need for much tweaking when new. However,
the overall product design and materials chosen lead many to feel that
in 50 years the Charles Walter (which instruments may be more
"individualistic" to start with, and perhaps need a bit more prep work
such as voicing) would be somewhat more desirable, due to the
excellent quality woods in the structure as opposed to the synthetic
or fiberboard type materials found in Yamahas. If you are worried
about 50 years down the road, the Walter probably wins. If you also
want less of a "cookie cutter" type instrument, the Walter wins there
as well. And in the long run, the cabinet quality and style of Walter
probably wins in terms of cosmetic desirability.
If you are more concerned with the next 20 years, both are very good
makers and it becomes more a difference in tone and cabinet style. The
Walter may be a bit more fussy in terms of getting it tweaked to
perfection (or it may not be), but in the end it is more like a
Steinway than a Yamaha.
Regards,
Rick Clark
Richard Galassini
After a thorough and professional post like that, how can I add to it? :-)
Richard Galassini
Cunningham Piano Co
Phila,. Pa.
1 (800) 394-1117
URL:http://voce88.tripod.com/richspianopage
Rick Clark
appreciate your comment.
Regards,
Rick Clark
Richard Galassini
>Thanks, Richard. Though it's usually more fun to start a big fight, I
>appreciate your comment.
>
>Regards,
>
>Rick Clark
AAhhh, shut up, you PIANO HACK!!
is that better? ;-)
