UK Piano Page Piano Discussion Forums

perna83 · New Member Joined: 29 Apr 2008 Posts: 1 Location: Leeds

Are the only 'mellow' sounding pianos around European makes? I knew Yamaha have a brighter tone, but when playing a few makes at a dealers today I found they all were very light and bright in tone. Perhaps older pianos are typically more mellow? unfortunately the japanese pianos appear to be the only ones in my price range.( Up to £3000). I actually liked the yamaha pianos, but would enjoy a mellower sound.

I am looking to buy an acoustic silent piano, having considered digital because of being able to practice more frequently and easily, but was won over by the silent series as I didn't really want a digital anyway having used an acoustic for years. However if I'm spending more money now I don't want to compromise on other aspects just to be able to play in silence. I found the Kemble silent range the same (with them being sister company with Yamaha), and am not aware of any other piano make that does a silent range. I'm also not willing to just use a 'practice pedal' of a normal acoustic piano.

Is is possible to slightly adjust the tone of a Yamaha on tuning to less bright, if the tuner knows what they are doing?
Thanks for anyones help!

mdw · Persistent Poster Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 149

Barrie Heaton

Openwood · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject:

sussexpianos · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject:

The Irmler P118 is a very nice mellow tone and the K3 has a rounded Euro tone. The Samick WSU121 is nice and mellow but Samick use German hammers and they're German scaled so they tone nicely.
But a good tuner/technician can tone a piano down but remember when you come to sell it that toning a Yamaha down removes the tone that Yamaha owners like, bright and clear.

mdw · Persistent Poster Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 149

Heres a controversial idea. Try lots of pianos and buy the one you like. If you dont like it dont buy it and then try to get it changed into something it isnt!

You wouldnt buy a volvo and then get your local grease monkey to turn it into a bmw so why do people want to do it to a piano. If Yamaha wanted it to sound a certain way they would make it sound that way.

sussexpianos · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject:

what a great idea, Ive been trying to get my transporter van to do 180mph, I should have bought an M5 BMW! ( and a trailer)

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 7:29 pm Post subject:

Openwood · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 9:17 pm Post subject:

sussexpianos · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:22 am Post subject:

Brighton is a bit of a nightmare, and parking, and parking wardens.
Im more of a county tuner, driving through the green countyside making pianos sound better and killing wool eating moths.
Is it me or is moth damage on the up?? I've had to re-felt 5 piano keybeds this year due to moth and overhaul 2. Rental kill shares will be going up !