Terry, I've always related to the G series as "made for the home" while the C series (conservatory) is made for professional applications. The difference between the two was much wider in the past and some of the differences were more obvious, for example the action brackets on the old G's from the early 70's were made of stamped sheet metal. If memory serves, some of them had a bass sustain. The G's don't have the tonal range, an understatement, and are generally harsh in the treble. Like Alan said, it's a price point thing and the G's are less expensive due to simplified construction and material practices.
However, like most Yamaha pianos, they do keep going and going, they just don't sound that great. In a professional setting where they get played a lot the treble wires will tend to break.
Wim is correct that the value of G's and C's is quite different and you need to be sure of what you've got. At 1999, this one is pretty close to the history related to in the 5 tiers article, one generation back. If it's a G you should lower your expectations, good for the home but would probably be inadequate for more serious musicians.
------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 05-15-2022 18:26
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Advise for Consignment Piano Sale
As you correctly noted, the G Series used to include sizes that overlapped with the concurrent C Series. Materials and design of the C series were generally better then the G Series. It was a price point thing.
Later on, we acquired a few C2 grands. They are better than the G2 grands. I have not heard the current mass-produced pianos of that size, the C2X, but I service a C7X that is a significant improvement over our C7Es, and the finest quality assembly-line piano I have ever heard.
------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
Original Message:
Sent: 05-15-2022 18:14
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Advise for Consignment Piano Sale
As an example, Yamaha made a 6'7" G5 and a 6'7" C5. Did the G series predate the C series? How did the two series differ? Design? Quality?
Alan - you state that the G1 and G2 were "lower echelon grands" - lower than what? Lower than the C1 and C2? If so, how so?
------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
Original Message:
Sent: 05-15-2022 17:58
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Advise for Consignment Piano Sale
Terrence,
We have a slew of 33 year old Yamaha pianos at CalArts. Back then, there was the G1 and the G2 G2, lower echelon grands measuring in at 5 ft 2 inches and 5 ft 8 in, respectively.
Back then, the "C" series grands started with the C3, at 6 ft 1 and went up to the C7, 7 ft 4 in long (at that time).
Some confusion may have since been caused by the current CX series starting at 5 ft 2 in.
Clear as mud?
Alan
------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
Original Message:
Sent: 05-15-2022 17:49
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Advise for Consignment Piano Sale
Thanks for the effort for the Link, but after reading through it, I realize it only applies to current production pianos. My question is what is the difference between the Yamaha G series and C series grand pianos.
------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
Original Message:
Sent: 05-15-2022 16:41
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: Advise for Consignment Piano Sale
the explainer:
https://pianopricepoint.com/five-tiers-of-yamaha-grand-pianos/
------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129
Original Message:
Sent: 05-15-2022 15:31
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Advise for Consignment Piano Sale
Hey Wim. First - Jacksonville? I thought you were in Hawaii?
Thanks for the new pricing information. That helps a lot.
Regarding the G and C series Yamaha grands. I was under the impression that the G series is simply an older series - the C series replaced the G series at some point. I was also under the impression that the G series was of comparable quality to the C series. Does anyone know what the basic design difference is between the G and C series?
------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
Original Message:
Sent: 05-15-2022 12:44
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Advise for Consignment Piano Sale
Terry
Getting back to the price of a C2. There is a huge difference between a C2 and G2. The G series were the lower end pianos Yamaha made. So make sure you have the right model letter.
I just appraised a 20 year old C2, also in excellent condition. I talked with the local Yamaha dealer here in Jacksonville, and he said a new C2 retails for around $50,000. A 20 year model would sell for around $25,000 in his store. That would make an in home price about 2/3rd of that, around $15,000 - $18,000.
I would start at about that price. Ask the owner of the piano what the bottom number he wants, to get an idea of what kind of bargaining power you have.
Wim
Original Message:
Sent: 5/14/2022 4:18:00 PM
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Advise for Consignment Piano Sale
I'm considering doing something that will be very new to me. I got a call from a guy who is a close friend of a fellow who owns a 1999 Yamaha C2 grand that he wishes to sell. The piano owner only recently moved to this country and does not speak much English at all - very difficult to communicate with him. Because of his speech limitations, he friend has asked me to sell their piano for them.
I just looked at the piano today. The piano is very, very nice. It is very clean, not a scratch on it. It has been played very, very little. Unless the hammers have had a recent high quality reshaping (which I very much doubt), the piano has only rarely been played. It has wonderful Yamaha tone and the treble is very clear. Bass strings sound like new. The piano is near-showroom condition. The finish is high-gloss black (oh, I mean Ebony!) polyester.
My first question is value. I'm in Tampa, Florida, and typical mid-west American prices prevail here. I'm thinking it should sell for at least $7K and maybe more like $9K or $10K. Looking at C2 and G2 Yamahas for sale on pianomart.com, maybe my prices are even a bit on the low side (maybe I should ask $12K). Does anyone have a well-founded opinion on what a piano like this should sell for?
Does anyone know what dealers are getting for a new C2?
My other question is terms for my service. They have a standing offer of $5K for the piano. I have no idea who made that offer. My guess is that it was the local piano dealer. A thought that crossed my mind for calculating my fee would be for me to keep 50% of anything I could get over $5K. I base that thought on pretty much nothing. I have zero experience with any sort of service like this. The piano is in the owner's home and will remain there throughout the sale (I will show the piano in the owner's home). Anyone have any thoughts on what sort of fee schedule one might use for this? Maybe my idea of 50% of anything over $5K is a good one?
Thanks for any thoughts anyone might have. I'd post a picture, but I think (I hope!) everyone reading this knows what a shiny black Yamaha C2 looks like!
------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------