So I found myself in a piano shop, I had a tinkle around on a few, and then I happened upon a Rogers, from around the 1930s. As soon as I pressed the keys, it was at first sound...

I see from a forum search that quite a few people have got a Rogers and think highly of them. I loved the sound and the weight of the keys which were lovely and light...

I'm now wondering which item of furniture I can do without to make room for it... the sofa?... the bed in the spare room?... the dining room table...?

I so want it

Would Rogers lovers like to try and help me...

Mine is a Rogers !! Though bought new in about 1977. IT has given me good service, though I always crave for a top maker.
George Rogers were I think in Loughton Essex, but like many others were eventually bought by Yamaha and closed down.
As reported last week Yamaha have now wiped out the UK piano indistry as Kemble has now closed.

PS Have PM'd you but your box is full ??

I woudn't dream of talking anyone out of buying a nice piano if they are smitten and especially if it is British.

Is it fair to say that Yamaha are the Tescos of the music world - acquiring and then destroying the competition? I'm determined never to buy one, if I can ever find a make that is not under the control of this giant.

Where there's a will there's a way !!

Maybe try it once more and if you still feel you love it, go for it, I'm sure you won't regret it

Can't help you about Rogers Skylark but just wanted to say I am so excited for you. There is nothing like a real piano and I am sure that somehow you will find room for it.

ET

I'm hoping they won't sell it in a hurry. I hadn't really planned to buy one at this stage but I can't stop thinking about it I mentioned it to my piano teacher tonight and he also seemed to think that space could be created just by wishing it to be so

I loved the light touch. I saw on a thread the other day about a student who won't play loudly, and although I'm not like that as such, I do prefer running my fingers over the keys very gently and just letting the keys fall into place




Sorry - I've created some space now

It was probably full from that rush of enquiries asking when the next PJ party was going to be!

Go for whatever your ears love the sound of. It's how I picked my clav and I'm still happy with it

Skylark you are so fickle! I thought you fancied a square piano!

I'd like it all really!

I did go back and look at the square piano again and it was much bigger than I remembered. The footprint would have been the size of a large two-seater sofa so I realised it was probably not the best idea I'd ever had Still I have learnt something about square pianos in the meantime!

So I looked at the Rogers again and I'm still trying to fathom out if I can find a way of fitting it in...

I'm really not looking forward to shopping for a proper piano, if it's anything like buying a new car, it'll be agony...

Might be agony but it is great fun too. I tried every piano in the shop including the grand (well I couldn't miss out the chance of playing on one when I had never tried one before0 and I bought the first one I tried. And I have to say that I think I did a good job as everyone that comes in and plays on it all say that it is lovely to play and has a lovely tone. It was quite strange playing a new one at first after having one that was really old and tired.

ET

Yes I remember buying my Rogers just after we moved to Selsdon in 1977.
There were hundreds in 'H. Lane & Son' in South Croydon. I dont know how many I tried (loads), though my budget was quite limited. I also played quite a few in a shop in Streatham High St.
The Rogers was £980, but they gave me £300 for my old delapidated Steinmayer Overstrung Upright (1903), which I bought for £25 from an ad in the Yorkshire Evening Post. The lady said they would 'do it up' and it would end up in the USA.
I estimate that new pianos are about 5x the price now for roughly equivalent quality.My second choice was a Danemann (~£1000) in the Streatham shop , but they werent interested in my old one.
Anyone know if Lanes are still there (Cyrilla might know?)

Go for it Skyers! My Rogers has been (and still is) a great piano
A bonfire is a great way to get rid of the furniture (or anything else) that stands between you getting your Rogers!