After much thought and testing I have decided to either buy a Kawai or a Reid sohn. The Reidson I like is 3450 and is 118 cm tall ( have come to conclude that taller is better) The Kawai I can afford is ?4170 and is 114 cm tall.

So much for the ?1000 budget!!

I have decided new as having looked at lots of second hand ones I concluded I had no idea really what I was buying and the internet has lots of conflicting advice. So phoned a piano tuner who recommended a shop in Nottingham and there we are!!


They do have a 1980 Broadwood coming in on Saturday - I am guessing it will be a lot cheaper but then it is older - should I have a look at that as well...............


Any help at all would be appreciated - took hubby as he is helping me pay for it and he was as clueless as me!!

Thanks clare

I have no knowledge of the reidsohn you mention but I suspect the kawai you are talking about is the K2. If so then I just wanted to say that I bought one of these about 6 months ago and am most pleased with my purchase. I shall leave the proper answers to people who know more than me about such things

I too dont know the Reidsohn, but I have played Kawais and I like them. I would really like to upgrade my piano , and the Kawais in the ?7-10K bracket would be a target. I have generally preferred them to Yamaha or Kemble.

Apologies if you've already looked at it but I wondered if this site might help; just have a browse through it and see if it has anything to say about the pianos you have in mind.
http://www.pianobuyer.com/

Apparently Larry Fine has written extensively about the various makes of piano.

Can you ask you piano teacher for advice? There are also lots of threads on this forum about the pros and cons of various makes. I wouldn't rush into anything before getting lots of advice.

Make sure you have a look at the Broadwood as well. 1980 is not particularly old, (my own piano is 1979 and still in very good condition), and it might help you to make a decision between the Kawai and Reidsohn.