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Clavinova CVP8 - good for a beginner?

I have seen a CLAVINOVA CVP 8 for sale and wonder if this might be a good
place for a beginier to start?

I can't find any reviews anywhere so wonder if can tell me anything about
this model?

I guess it must be quite old..?

Kind regards

John

Reply/ Hi John

The Yamaha CVP8 was made in the year 2000.
A digital piano that's 9 years old is likely
to be in need of a full service, and possible
replacement parts (if you can get them).

I advise you to go for something brand new.
I know the cost is a lot higher, but you get
the peace of mind of a long guarantee.

Technology has advanced a lot since the year
2000. So modern digital pianos offer a much
more realistic sound, and touch.

If you want to keep your budget as low as
possible then I recommend either the Yamaha
YDP140, or the Classenti CDP1.

You can read more about these pianos here:

http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-cdp1.html

http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-ydp140.html

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

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Is a second-hand Yamaha CLP 820 for the sum of £425.00 a good buy?

I wonder if you can advise me as to wether this is a good buy or not, I have
negotiated a second-hand Yamaha CLP 820 for the sum of £425.00. It appears
in good condition and the owner says it was bought new but rarely used and
has basically been an item of furniture in their front room since bought.

We are purchasing it for my daughter and myself to hopefully learn on, my
sister-in-law is a piano teacher and thinks it sounds ok but has no
experience of buying second-hand and we are complete novices!

I wonder if you would be so good as to advise us as to how old this model
could be, if the price being looked for is good value and if there are any
common problems that we should be aware of when purchasing this model
second-hand?

We would really value your advice!

Many thanks!

Regards,

Jill

Reply/ Hi Jill

The Yamaha CLP820 is a mid range CLP.
not sure of the age, but it's more than
5 years.

Today's new price would be well over £1,000, so
,providing it is in good condition then it
would be a good purchase.

There is a series of simple tests you can do
on a secondhand digital piano yourself. Here's
some of the main ones:

1) Play every note to make sure they sound

2) Check all pedals work

3) Test every button on the control panel

4) Play some chords around the centre of the piano
and listen for any unusual sounds

5) Check the volume button doesn't make a crackling
noise when turned up, and down

6) Turn the sound completely off. Then play the keys.
If they are very rattly then there could be some wear
and tear.

7) Check the side to side movement of the keys. It
shouldn't be excessive

8) Play each key to make sure none stick down, or
return slowly.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

--

I have sold my old acoustic piano but would like to replace it with a digital instrument

Dear Sir,

I wonder if you can help.  I am looking at purchasing a digital piano.  I have just sold my old acoustic piano but would like to replace it with a digital instrument that has a number of voices, especially piano (of course!), church organ, harpsichord and strings.  I know that there are new models available around the £700-£800 mark, but I have an opportunity to buy a second-hand CVP-205.  I have seen and played it and was very impressed by the quality of the sound and the wide range of voices available (especially those that I am particularly looking for).  I am told that it hasn't been played very much (the lady selling it inherited it from her mother) and the case is certainly in pretty good condition apart from a few small scratches near the music rest and on the legs.  I am also told that it is four years or so old.  An engineer has just been to visit to reconnect the pedals to the main electronics (as they weren't working, apparently after the instrument was last moved) and has advised her that she should be asking around £1,000 for it.  She tells me that it was some £2,700 new.

What would you advise?  I like the instrument but don't want to part with £1,000 - I might have offered £800 but would like your take on whether or not this is a bargain or something to stay away from.

Many thanks,

STEVE PETCH.

Reply/  Hi Stephen

I think £1000 seems reasonable (but a little risky is something
were to go wrong with the piano).

Repairs on digital pianos are very expensive -- £100 +

The problem with the pedal doesn't give confidence.

I would try to negotiate for around £700 - £800. 

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

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