professional and taller verticals.

[Charles Neuman]

Stephen Airy <stephen_airy@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Does anyone know what are the goods and bads about
> some specific tall verticals, like 48 inches and
> higher (higher for older ones)?

That's exactly what I've been shopping for for the past several years, so
I do have some opinions. First of all, I can't give any opinions on the
Asian pianos on your list other than that I don't like the sound of Asian
pianos. I really wanted to like the Yaamaha verticals because they are
built well, but I can tolerate a Yamaha for only about 5 minutes. Too bad.
As for others:

> Mason & Hamlin Model 50

I played a new one recently. They have a very rich and powerful sound. In
fact, the sound was almost TOO powerful. I felt like I didn't have enough
control over it, but that could take some getting used to.


> Petrof P 131 I

I really liked the Petrof, but the sound just wasn't rich enough for my
American ears. It has a very European sound, which emphasizes the
fundamental over the harmonics. People used to a more complex Steinway
sounds might call it "weak", but that doesn't do it justice. It's just a
different sound. Beautiful, but not quite was I'm looking for.


> Steinway K52 (or other similar models)

I really liked it. Nice warm Steinway sound. But I wouldn't pay $20k for
it.

Another one to consider is the Astin-Weight. Look it up in Larry Fine's
book. It has an unusual construction where the soundboard is much bigger
than other pianos that size. It has a very powerful sound, and it's true
that it sounds like a grand. But in my opinion it was a little too rich of
a tone. Just the opposite of the Petrof. The reason has to do with the
very large bridge which allows the big soundboard. You'll have to see the
diagram in Fine's book to get the idea.

I would also put the Charles Walter in the category of a large vertical.
Although its height is less than 48", its scale design is such that it can
compete with the larger pianos. Having said that, I do wish it were a
bigger piano. It has a very rich, warm sound, though.

Another good vertical is a Sohmer, which currently aren't being made (last
I heard). It's pretty good, and certaintly a good value, but I think the
other ones I've mentioned blow it away.

Hope that helps. You'll have to play them all several times to form your
own opinions. But it was nice to know that my reactions were consistent
with some of the technical comments in Fine's book, so apparently I'm
learning something!

Charles