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pkerr · Member Joined: 26 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Looking for some advice please. We are currently in the process of purchasing a piano for our children. We have budgeted around £3000 and are looking at the Kemble Oxford/Cambridge series or the Yamaha P series. Could anyone offer any suggestions as to the pros and cons of each make.

Many thanks frustrated father

Peter

PianoGuy · Persistent Poster Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 1451

The P114m and new Cambridge 12 are basically identical bar the badge and the stick-on Kemble roundel on the frame. The Kemble roundel masks the Yamaha logo which is cast into the metal of the frame, and if you could prise it off, you'll see the three tuning-fork design underneath, but you won't be able to, because Yamaha took three years to perfect the strength of the glue!

The P116T is basically an Oxford, the extra 2cm of height achieved by bigger castors and perpendicular casework. This variant is the better buy because the casework is more elegant and traditional and is less affected by forces in fashion.

Choose whichever you like the sound of best. They're all good and made alongside each other in the same factory in Milton Keynes. Building two brands allows Yamaha to sell at competing dealers in the same town and offers a perceived "Englishness" in the Kemble for those who have a problem buying products made by those fiendishly clever chaps with the slitty eyes in far-off Jappoland. The joke's on them really, because Kemble is so much part of Yamaha now that it makes little difference. Kemble dealers are less prone to the ridiculous discounting rife amongst the poorer quality Yamaha dealers these days, and on the whole appear to be smaller dealerships with more technical knowledge.

At least for the moment all the pianos you mention are giving much needed employment to the UK piano industry.

pkerr · Member Joined: 26 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks for the advice.
Our local dealer only sells Pearl River, which we were not too sure about, so we will trawl the internet or travel a bit further afield to see the yamaha and kemble.

Not so frustrated father

PianoGuy · Persistent Poster Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 1451

Pearl River are the cooking Chinese piano. Their best efforts are badged as other things. The exception is the Yamaha-Pearl-River UP125-Mi which is a very decent instrument in the vein of the Yamaha U1. It's bigger than the pianos that you mention, but should be cheaper. This version has a small label stating "Made by Yamaha Pearl-River" on the treble end of the keyslip below the keyboard.

Openwood · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 8:47 pm Post subject:

On the subject of crazy discounts:
Speaking from bitter experience I would avoid the big discount outfits. They will get you the lowest price if that's the crucial thing for you but bear in mind that you won't have any of the aftercare service that a good, well established local business will be able to offer you. I've had no option but to go for the lowest quote a couple of times and for various reasons (well, one reason actually - I ain't got enough money) but if you can stretch that bit further it's well worth it in the long term.

PianoGuy · Persistent Poster Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 1451

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 10:58 pm Post subject:

pkerr · Member Joined: 26 Aug 2007 Posts: 3

Thanks a lot folks, unfortunately living on the west coast of Scotland we are immediately handicapped by the lack of a decent dealers. We have a couple in and around the Glasgow area but they seem determined to ally themselves to one make or another, making a comparison between manufacturers nigh on impossible in the same showroom.

On anaother point, just regarding the Pearl River piano, we can find no decent comprehensive specification of build. I would assume since there is no mention of metal frame that this piano does not include this could anyone clarify this for me.

Many thanks

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:58 am Post subject:

Have you tried Peter Smith they stock Kemble Yamaha and Kawai so you will be able to do a comparison
www.petersmithpianos.co.uk

Barrie
_________________
Barrie Heaton
Web Master UK Piano Page

Gill the Piano · Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 1:52 pm Post subject:

All pianos made now have metal frames, so to mention it is a bit redundant. Like advertising a car with rubber tyres!

Piano Worker · Regular Poster Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 10

PianoGuy · Persistent Poster Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 1451

Another new Cambridge?

Sounds interesting. I shall keep my eyes open.

Piano Worker · Regular Poster Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 10

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Fri Nov 09, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject:

PianoGuy · Persistent Poster Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 1451

sussexpianos · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:04 am Post subject:

well at least they are doing their best by making pianos more distinctive. If I had a modern look home and wanted something different, I would consider it.

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 12:57 pm Post subject:

Gill the Piano · Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject:

Looks as though it should be electric/digital to me. Wouldn't give it house-room, I'm afraid!

Piano Worker · Regular Poster Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 10

PianoGuy · Persistent Poster Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 1451

Gill the Piano · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 9:10 pm Post subject:

Good God, no, I have absolutely no style...but I can spell, so that's a consolation! Wink

PianoGuy · Persistent Poster Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 1451

Piano Worker · Regular Poster Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 10

PianoGuy · Persistent Poster Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 1451

Piano Worker · Regular Poster Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 10

Barrie Heaton · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 6:24 pm Post subject: