I`m thinking of getting myself a piano.
It`ll be second-hand, since I want to get something good with a mellow sound, and NEW good pianos with mellow sound usually cost a big lot...
So here`s the choice I have (what I got after flicking through a "buy and sell" magazine):
a) Nocturno - unknown price (says it`s not expensive)
b) Petroff - $1000
c) Weinbach - unknown price
d) Alexander Herrmann - $888
e) Becker - unknown price
f) Cherny - around $170
g) E. Schuster - $200

So guys, what would be the best bargain out of the lot?
I realise that Petroff has the loudest and proudest name of them all, but I don`t know... Famous doesn`t always equal best.
Please, guys... I really need help with this, seeing as I am not an expert on pianos.
Much obliged...
Cheers, Olga.
Also, if anyone has anything special (whatever details you might think of, I don`t know) to add, or anything (hey, you never know), my e-mail is stargirl_y@yahoo.com
Thanks...

Dun judge a piano by it`s price. A piano can be real cheap and yet can do better ten to twenty times than the price it should. U have to get down to the shop and try it out yrself. To get a gd piano, pls. note the following :
1. Reflex of Keys must be crisp, no retarded keys.
2. Balance tone colour and consistency through the low, mid and high range. Ie : Make sure the bass is not too overwhelming, and make sure u can`t really hear the hammer fot the higher notes. These are disturbances that u wdn`t want to have.
3. make sure the frame or the soundboard can withstand the vibrations, esp. when playing massive chords.
4. Make sure the sound board and the strings are in good conditions. If not, the piano is as good as gone. And you`ll have to fork out another 3000,5000 to change the strings.
5. Make sure the pedals are working. And that the nuts holding the 3 pedals internally( have to open piano to see)is tight and in good workable condition. If not, the pedals would always come loose.
6. When u want a mellow sound, remember to make sure that the tone is clear, and is able to articulate well. Mellow does not = Muffled tone colour. muffled tone colour=runny nose sound. Remember, clear, balanced and crisp.
7. Make sure u ask for the serial no. of the instrument and the country it is assembles. Caz a lot of dealers will lie to u abt. the yr it was produced to fetch a higher price. They will tend to cut short the age, caz no one will want to buy an old piano. So if the piano has been there for 15 yrs, most probably they will only say 6 yrs...So by having the serial no. of the piano, u can check the yr of production with the Piano Manufacturer company`s website or handbook. And the country it`s assembled is important...Caz alot of pianos aren`t assembled in their country of origin to save labour cost. IE: A lot of Germen pianos are actually assembled in China or Indonesia. Pls clarify with the sales person.
Ans pls! remkember to always leave the heater on after u got the piano. Remember to keep it away fr the window, as instruments made of wood are scared of moisture.

Are you able to tell me where you found the Petroff
am interested

Many thanks