Pianotech

Recently I've been dealing with two Kohler & Campbell grands with sticky damper flanges, so right now they're on my naughty list 😠 I'd pretty much always go with a Yamaha, even if it's used. 

What are the church acoustics like ? High ceilings ? windows and carpet ? They need to rethink them budget and go with something bigger. I would avoid the Samick and go with the Yamaha but also keep shopping for something bigger - consider Yamaha and Kawai models. Start a piano fund drive members can buy a key for $10 each and you will have $880 more in the kitty. I am dealing with a Samick now in a church which has shredded escaine/buckskin on the knuckles and sluggish action centers.... 

Recently I've been dealing with two Kohler & Campbell grands with sticky damper flanges, so right now they're on my naughty list 😠 I'd pretty much always go with a Yamaha, even if it's used. 

Assuming the G1 is in good condition, I would opt for that. I've worked on quite a few of the new K&C's, and am not impressed with them. Both the 4'7" and the 4'11" have consistent problems staying in tune, even in an otherwise stable environment, among other things, such as a rather poor tone. Needless to say I'm not a fan. 

As Wim said, both those pianos are probably going to be too short for the auditorium. I would encourage the church to broaden their search to other dealerships. If they're willing to make the drive they might find a better piano that would fit the budget. I'll send you an email of some places they could check. 

Thanks for the suggestions.  I remembered that I worked on a newer Knabe last week and I believe that is also a Samick.brand.  It had a bunch of sticky jacks.  I CLP'd the heck out of them, but know that it is just temporary and I will probably have to do that every time I go tune.

Assuming the G1 is in good condition, I would opt for that. I've worked on quite a few of the new K&C's, and am not impressed with them. Both the 4'7" and the 4'11" have consistent problems staying in tune, even in an otherwise stable environment, among other things, such as a rather poor tone. Needless to say I'm not a fan. 

As Wim said, both those pianos are probably going to be too short for the auditorium. I would encourage the church to broaden their search to other dealerships. If they're willing to make the drive they might find a better piano that would fit the budget. I'll send you an email of some places they could check. 

The G1's were made between '84 and '94. I would wait to hear it, some of the older ones are just not nice sounding instruments. This would be compounded by an extra live room. 

Thanks for the suggestions.  I remembered that I worked on a newer Knabe last week and I believe that is also a Samick.brand.  It had a bunch of sticky jacks.  I CLP'd the heck out of them, but know that it is just temporary and I will probably have to do that every time I go tune.

Assuming the G1 is in good condition, I would opt for that. I've worked on quite a few of the new K&C's, and am not impressed with them. Both the 4'7" and the 4'11" have consistent problems staying in tune, even in an otherwise stable environment, among other things, such as a rather poor tone. Needless to say I'm not a fan. 

As Wim said, both those pianos are probably going to be too short for the auditorium. I would encourage the church to broaden their search to other dealerships. If they're willing to make the drive they might find a better piano that would fit the budget. I'll send you an email of some places they could check. 

Patrick, 

I'm a big fan of Yamaha, however, with Yamaha I think you have to judge which model and how old.
To me, a 30 year old G1 is no prize, a rebuilder friend once told me he's never seen a G series that didn't have a flat board.
(Also check to see if it's a grey market piano, they tend to be weaker pianos.)

I do agree with the comments about Samicks and it's other brands, I have a short Samick product
which is owned by a piano teacher, of course, and it's a long drive and it's nothing but trouble. 

Try to hold out for a better used piano and even, dare I say it, more money!

Michael

The G1's were made between '84 and '94. I would wait to hear it, some of the older ones are just not nice sounding instruments. This would be compounded by an extra live room. 

Thanks for the suggestions.  I remembered that I worked on a newer Knabe last week and I believe that is also a Samick.brand.  It had a bunch of sticky jacks.  I CLP'd the heck out of them, but know that it is just temporary and I will probably have to do that every time I go tune.

Thank you for your ideas.  The choir director told me she does not want a piano that is very loud, she just needs something other than the studio console they now have.  She needs something she can see over when she is playing/directing the choir.  They would mic the piano, so it is possible they could get by with a 5'3".  I am going to try to find a Yamaha or a Kawai and fingers crossed that I can find something under 9K - they are telling me 8K is their top, but I think I could push for 9.  :-)

Thank you for your ideas.  The choir director told me she does not want a piano that is very loud, she just needs something other than the studio console they now have.  She needs something she can see over when she is playing/directing the choir.  They would mic the piano, so it is possible they could get by with a 5'3".  I am going to try to find a Yamaha or a Kawai and fingers crossed that I can find something under 9K - they are telling me 8K is their top, but I think I could push for 9.  :-)

I think Loren and Jessica have "said it all" about the consequences of installing a short piano in this situation. Ideally educate her/them with information from "Piano Buyer", and visits to some higher end dealers. 

Thank you for your ideas.  The choir director told me she does not want a piano that is very loud, she just needs something other than the studio console they now have.  She needs something she can see over when she is playing/directing the choir.  They would mic the piano, so it is possible they could get by with a 5'3".  I am going to try to find a Yamaha or a Kawai and fingers crossed that I can find something under 9K - they are telling me 8K is their top, but I think I could push for 9.  :-)