Disklavier

I am looking to get an upright piano for my family and have come 
accross a used MX100-II for $5500 from a private party.  I went to a 
local Yamaha store to see the new models and found the salesman lied 
about the models to clear an MPX1 (?) off the floor for $13K and said 
the Mark III vertical would be unavailable until July 2003.  It looks 
like it was introduced last year!  I could afford a new piano but 
like to get a good value and am not certain whether it makes sense to 
buy a $15000 new DU1A when I can get a good quality used MX100-II for 
little more than a third the price.  Of all the features I see on the 
DU1A, the most interesting is the "silent feature" so my kids could 
practice and I would get some peace and quiet when they are starting 
out.  Also my wife could practice after the kids are sleeping.  The 
salesman told me the mute rail (felt muffler) was included in all u1 
pianos and probabaly adequate.  Has anyone bought the DU1A and if I 
wanted to go that route, what would be a target price for sale?  Any 
other thoughts from owners of these models or other disklavier 
afficionados?

If you decide to buy a new piano, here's what I'd do:  Get in touch with 
three or four likely dealers around the country, ask for a price, and 
let them know you are shopping around.  They will probably start you out 
with suggested retail minus a whopping discount.  Let each one know what 
the best offer was and go a few more rounds.  Then, call for best and 
final offers with the promise that you'll buy.

It's not big deal to ship a piano across the country--especially in the 
original crate.  A distant dealer is not allowed to solicit outside 
their territory, but can deal with you if you seek them out.  A distant 
dealer will support you just as well as a local one.  The actual set-up 
of the piano, tuning, and maintenance are often done by independent 
piano technicians anyway.  Those who have been Yamaha-trained receive 
direct warranty support from Yamaha America headquarters.

Pay a good independent technician about $100 to check out the MX100-II. 
  Yamaha does not extend their warranty beyond the first owner, but the 
warranty is time-limited anyway.

You'll have to decide about the need for a silent feature.  Playing to 
synthesized sound is a compromise.  Your children who are learning to 
play need to hear the real piano.  If their practice bothers you, you 
may need to consider your attitude and commitment.  To succeed, the 
children are going to need your interest and support in many ways.  Be 
prepared to hear the same pieces over and over again as they progress in 
their lessons.  The process of their learning is not something you can 
isolate yourself from.

jeffbakal wrote:
> I am looking to get an upright piano for my family and have come 
> accross a used MX100-II for $5500 from a private party.  I went to a 
> local Yamaha store to see the new models and found the salesman lied 
> about the models to clear an MPX1 (?) off the floor for $13K and said 
> the Mark III vertical would be unavailable until July 2003.  It looks 
> like it was introduced last year!  I could afford a new piano but 
> like to get a good value and am not certain whether it makes sense to 
> buy a $15000 new DU1A when I can get a good quality used MX100-II for 
> little more than a third the price.  Of all the features I see on the 
> DU1A, the most interesting is the "silent feature" so my kids could 
> practice and I would get some peace and quiet when they are starting 
> out.  Also my wife could practice after the kids are sleeping.  The 
> salesman told me the mute rail (felt muffler) was included in all u1 
> pianos and probabaly adequate.  Has anyone bought the DU1A and if I 
> wanted to go that route, what would be a target price for sale?  Any 
> other thoughts from owners of these models or other disklavier 
> afficionados?
> 
> 
> 
> To Post a message to the group, send it to:   disklavier@...
> 
> To Post a private message to Todd Muncy, the group's founder and moderator, send it to:
> disklavier-owner@...
> 
> To reach our group's web site go to:
> http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier
> 
> Todd's family web site was completely updated 01/15/03.  It contains some fun disklavier content and links to midi sites among many other things, The url is:
> http://MuncyFamily.com 
> 
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> 
> 
> 


-- 
Robert Welcyng
Anchorage, Alaska

A DU1A is the latest MarkIII Disklavier.  I am not surprised that they may 
not be available until July. It sometimes takes that long to get them from 
Japan. This unit will have CD audio capablity (real stereo) - Piano Smart 
(plays along with regular CDs), a Silent System, a warranty, and all the 
latest features and technology are built into it.  It will also have a tone 
generator for the Ensemble sounds, speakers built-in, and play and record 
standard MIDI files.  It will read both double density and High density 
floppy disks and have a To Host port so you would not need to buy a MIDI 
interface if you wanted to use it with a computer.  The ROM is upgradeable 
from the internet when Yamaha comes up with new features.  You can even use 
software like Voyetra's Teach Me Piano with it.  You also get 16 memory 
disks built-in.

The MPX1 is a MarkIIXG system with the Silent feature.  It does most of the 
things mentioned above, but without the CD player, the Smart key, and has 
only 1 memory disk instead of 16.  Even if you add one for about $1295, it 
still would not do Piano Smart at this time.  You would also need to 
purchase a powered speaker(s, but the output is double monaural.

The MX100 is the original Disklavier introduced on 1987.  The electronics 
are at least 13 years old, and the heads on the floppy disk drive are 
probably worn. There is no flash memory or memory at all.  No tone generator 
for Ensemble sounds.  Does not play or record standard MIDI files. Can only 
read the older 720k double density floppy disks. No Silent feature, Smart 
Key or Piano Smart.  No incremental pedaling.

All three of these systems are put on Yamaha's finest studio upright piano, 
the U1.  A felt mute rail is not the same thing as the Silent system where 
you put on headphones.  Playing a piano with the mute rail activated is like 
riding a bicycle with a flat tire.

With many things, you get what you pay for.  You either spend the money up 
front for quality, the latest features and technology and a warranty; or 
spend it later on service, repairs, upgrades, accessories and aggravation.  
Sometimes the lowest price is not the best value.


Carol Beigel
crbrpt@...

>From: "jeffbakal" <jsbakal@...>
>Reply-To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
>To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [disklavier] DU1A vs. used MX100-II - value and prices?
>Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 20:50:42 -0000
>
>I am looking to get an upright piano for my family and have come
>accross a used MX100-II for $5500 from a private party.  I went to a
>local Yamaha store to see the new models and found the salesman lied
>about the models to clear an MPX1 (?) off the floor for $13K and said
>the Mark III vertical would be unavailable until July 2003.  It looks
>like it was introduced last year!  I could afford a new piano but
>like to get a good value and am not certain whether it makes sense to
>buy a $15000 new DU1A when I can get a good quality used MX100-II for
>little more than a third the price.  Of all the features I see on the
>DU1A, the most interesting is the "silent feature" so my kids could
>practice and I would get some peace and quiet when they are starting
>out.  Also my wife could practice after the kids are sleeping.  The
>salesman told me the mute rail (felt muffler) was included in all u1
>pianos and probabaly adequate.  Has anyone bought the DU1A and if I
>wanted to go that route, what would be a target price for sale?  Any
>other thoughts from owners of these models or other disklavier
>afficionados?
>


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I agree with Carol.  I was also considering a MarkIIXG vs Mark III.  I am definately happier that I spent the extra money and got the Mark III.  The Silent System is worth the extra money alone.  Really Nice System.  I also think the painos are better integrated in this generation of computer.
When looking at prices check this gem out - and please add to the database after buying your piano.  It is extremely helpful
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/disklavier/database?method=reportRows&tbl=2
Also remeber to call dealers around the country to negotiate price.  You will be shocked at how much money you will be able to save.
Good Luck
Joe
 Carol Beigel <carolrpt@...> wrote:A DU1A is the latest MarkIII Disklavier.  I am not surprised that they may 
not be available until July. It sometimes takes that long to get them from 
Japan. This unit will have CD audio capablity (real stereo) - Piano Smart 
(plays along with regular CDs), a Silent System, a warranty, and all the 
latest features and technology are built into it.  It will also have a tone 
generator for the Ensemble sounds, speakers built-in, and play and record 
standard MIDI files.  It will read both double density and High density 
floppy disks and have a To Host port so you would not need to buy a MIDI 
interface if you wanted to use it with a computer.  The ROM is upgradeable 
from the internet when Yamaha comes up with new features.  You can even use 
software like Voyetra's Teach Me Piano with it.  You also get 16 memory 
disks built-in.

The MPX1 is a MarkIIXG system with the Silent feature.  It does most of the 
things mentioned above, but without the CD player, the Smart key, and has 
only 1 memory disk instead of 16.  Even if you add one for about $1295, it 
still would not do Piano Smart at this time.  You would also need to 
purchase a powered speaker(s, but the output is double monaural.

The MX100 is the original Disklavier introduced on 1987.  The electronics 
are at least 13 years old, and the heads on the floppy disk drive are 
probably worn. There is no flash memory or memory at all.  No tone generator 
for Ensemble sounds.  Does not play or record standard MIDI files. Can only 
read the older 720k double density floppy disks. No Silent feature, Smart 
Key or Piano Smart.  No incremental pedaling.

All three of these systems are put on Yamaha's finest studio upright piano, 
the U1.  A felt mute rail is not the same thing as the Silent system where 
you put on headphones.  Playing a piano with the mute rail activated is like 
riding a bicycle with a flat tire.

With many things, you get what you pay for.  You either spend the money up 
front for quality, the latest features and technology and a warranty; or 
spend it later on service, repairs, upgrades, accessories and aggravation.  
Sometimes the lowest price is not the best value.


Carol Beigel
crbrpt@...

>From: "jeffbakal" <jsbakal@...>
>Reply-To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
>To: disklavier@yahoogroups.com
>Subject: [disklavier] DU1A vs. used MX100-II - value and prices?
>Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2003 20:50:42 -0000
>
>I am looking to get an upright piano for my family and have come
>accross a used MX100-II for $5500 from a private party.  I went to a
>local Yamaha store to see the new models and found the salesman lied
>about the models to clear an MPX1 (?) off the floor for $13K and said
>the Mark III vertical would be unavailable until July 2003.  It looks
>like it was introduced last year!  I could afford a new piano but
>like to get a good value and am not certain whether it makes sense to
>buy a $15000 new DU1A when I can get a good quality used MX100-II for
>little more than a third the price.  Of all the features I see on the
>DU1A, the most interesting is the "silent feature" so my kids could
>practice and I would get some peace and quiet when they are starting
>out.  Also my wife could practice after the kids are sleeping.  The
>salesman told me the mute rail (felt muffler) was included in all u1
>pianos and probabaly adequate.  Has anyone bought the DU1A and if I
>wanted to go that route, what would be a target price for sale?  Any
>other thoughts from owners of these models or other disklavier
>afficionados?
>


_________________________________________________________________
Help STOP SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE*  
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail


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To Post a message to the group, send it to:   disklavier@...

To Post a private message to Todd Muncy, the group's founder and moderator, send it to:
disklavier-owner@...

To reach our group's web site go to:
http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier

Todd's family web site was completely updated 01/15/03.  It contains some fun disklavier content and links to midi sites among many other things, The url is:
http://MuncyFamily.com 

THINKING OF LEAVING THE GROUP?
If you are thinking of unsubcribing because you are getting too much mail, go the the web site and change your email delivery option instead.  That will fix the problem, while maintaining your access to the group.  If you insist on leaving us completely send a blank email to:
disklavier-unsubscribe@... 

Know someone who wants to join?  Have them send a blank email to:
disklavier-subscribe@... or give them this link:
http://Yahoogroups.com/group/disklavier/join 


Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.