Piano Shop Reviews

None yet. Waiting for the first review…

1) ” CLP330 for £1,099 from Dawsons”

Hi Graham,

I asked a question on the site – I am choosing between the clp320 (899) or the YDP161 (781)  – I could stretch to the CLP 330 maybe but I would like to pay over 12 months. I have seen a CLP 330 for 1099 on Dawsons.
The piano is for my daughter who has a real piano at her Dad’s house, just about to start grade 1 and I want to get her something she can really enjoy playing that is not too different from her upright as she has to switch from one to the other.

Would you let me know what you can recommend and the prices you could do for them

Thanks a lot – and your guide really is great!

Sharon

Reply/ Hi Sharon

Both the CLP320 and CLP330 are old, discontinued
models. The current model is the CLP430.

However, the CLP330 appears to be a good deal
from Dawsons especially if it’s interest free.

I recommend getting the CLP330.

The YDP161 isn’t nearly as nice to play as the
CLP330. The key touch is slightly lighter, and
not so sensitive. The sound quality is also
inferior.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

 

2) “I must say the service etc has been excellent”

“I visited Dawsons in Bangor, County Down Northern Ireland (our local store) and the Chris was very very helpful. We plan to return there and purchase a digital piano in the near future.

Chris was not at all pushy but was helpful and well-informed. I will let you know how I get on and will get back to you regarding this store which seems to have about a dozen throughout the country.”

Follow-up:

I followed Graham Howard’s suggestions re visiting a music shop and actually found one right here in Bangor about 5 minutes drive from our new home. It’s called Dawsons and I must say the service etc has been excellent. Price paid was £883. Piano delivered at precisely arranged time 3 days after ordered. Delivered, assembled and packaging removed for £10 charge!! Chris at Dawsons is your man!

Review by Alison Hill, Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland

 

3) “I wanted to support the local music shop, Dawsons in Basingstoke”

I would like to thamk you, Graham, for your frank and informative advice.  I read your guide thoroughly and bought a CLP 440.  I wanted to support the local music shop, Dawsons in Basingstoke.  They were keen on price but i think a lot of suppliers would have done free delivery.

My main reason was based on trying out 6 other pianos in the store, representing a wide price range.  I thought the Yamaha had the best sound, with the right number of features.

Our only problem was that the box was delivered by a single driver who could not lift it it on his own.  We had to get some relatives round to help unpack and bring the piano into the house.

I am delighted with the feel and tone of the new instrument, and it will give me pleasure for years to come.

Review by Alan Seabrooke

 

4) “salesman came to my house and spent over an hour setting everything up for me”

Hello Graham,

Earlier in the year, I was most grateful to be able to read your advice online regarding choosing a digital piano. I think it’s only fair that I let you know what I chose!

I selected a Yamaha Arius 161 and bought it from Dawsons in Chester. The staff were most helpful, (they did try to get me to consider a Kawai, as you say in your guide – but didn’t push it too much…) and on the day the piano arrived (in its huge coffin-like box!), my salesman came to my house on his way home and spent over an hour setting everything up for me, at no extra cost – excellent service.

I’ve had the piano for about six weeks now, and try to play it every day…makes me realise how hectic my routine is… Also I’m having a 45 minute lesson once a week, to keep me focused. I hasten to add that I’m 60, had lessons when a child, and have sung in choirs all my life, so can read music but lack the techniques!

Thank you again for your help to me and many others I’m sure – I’ve recommended your guide & advice to a few friends.

Review by Kathleen

None yet. Waiting for the first review…

None yet. Waiting for the first review…

“After I read Graham Howard’s digital piano guide I went out and bought the Yamaha CLP 340 and am really pleased with it.  I bought it from Becketts Music in Southampton as they were the only place within a reasonable distance ( still almost an hour away in the car) who had several models on display that I could try out.   It was out of stock when I went so they ordered it and it arrived within 3 days.  They phoned me up at 4.15 on a Friday afternoon and said “would you like your piano this evening?” They delivered it a couple of hours later.  I would recommend them to anyone!”

Valerie

At last I have purchased my new piano.  In November we down-sized our home and I was devastated that my Chappell Baby Grand had to go as it was far too large for the new house.  Now, thanks to all of the helpful advice I received from you, I have just taken delivery of a Yamaha CLP440.  It looks really smart, sounds and feels great.  I’ve only had it a couple of days but so far so good.  I’m enjoying it.

I purchased it from my local piano shop, Andertons in Guildford, as their price was ever so slightly lower than anywhere else – and they included a great pair of AKG K271 MKII head-phones, as well as the piano stool.  I can’t say I was impressed with their sales team, who, no doubt, being youngsters, they are far more interested in the vast range of guitars that they sell, so it was just as well I had read your advice and also looked around various other outlets.  My preference would have been to purchase through Sheargolds of Cobham, where the service is excellent, but unfortunately they no longer sell Yamaha but now specialise in Kawai.

The delivery was a cause for concern.  I had expected it to arrive with the shop’s delivery personnel, but in fact they used a courier who could only off-load from their van and leave it in the room where I wanted it.  Thankfully there were two guys, otherwise the box it which it came was so heavy that neither my husband nor I could have managed.  We then had to assemble the piano ourselves and call on our son to assist with getting it into its correct place.  We expected the piano to be delivered already assembled!

Anyway, it’s here and I’m sure I’ll be enjoying it for many years.

Thanks again for your advice.

Regards, Anita

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Customer Reviews And Comments

I ordered my Yamaha CLP330 on Friday 22nd January and then on the following Tuesday had a phone call from Reidys to set up a delivery date of my choosing.  I chose Thursday 28th January, that was there earliest date, although they couldn’t give me a time for delivery (I didn’t really expect them to be able to anyway).

The delivery driver from Night Freight turned up at about 12.30.  Unfortunately he was on his own and being that the piano weighs 100Kg obviously needed my help to carry it into my property.  This would have posed a problem if my wife was taking delivery or an elderly relative was there to help.
Something to bear in mind with this type of delivery.

However that aside I think Reidys has been very professional and I have no complaints with there service.

Greg Waterson

—

I bought a Yamaha CLP340 online from Reidy’s of Blackburn.

I chose the CLP340 because, after reading your and other advice and reviews, it seemed to have the highest spec for the money. As a player who has reached Grade VII Associated Board I wanted a sound and touch that corresponded to that of a good conventional piano. I was not interested in the extra ‘bells and whistles’ just the quality of the sound and the playing experience.

Reidy’s was the best price and they gave excellent service. They kept me informed of the order status and delivered exactly when they said they would. The two young delivery men brought the piano, and took away our large iron framed old piano (at no charge) in a most efficient manner – despite us living down a steep slope and along a muddy canal towpath 100 yards from the point where they could park the van.

Regards, Marie Layng

—

Hi Graham,

This you for the advice. It’s really helpful for someone like me who can’t play piano. I bought my Yamaha YDP 161 3 weeks ago from Reidys. Actually, I wanted very much to buy from you because I am really grateful for your help in selecting the piano but when I called your company, the price that they quote is only the piano and i need to buy the stool and pay extra for delivery because I live on the first floor with lift while the other two company(gear4music And Reidys) is giving free stool n free delivery regardless of which floor I live in.

Next, I called gear4music because of the good reviews even though they are only offering 1 year warranty as compared to Reidys who is offering 2 years warranty. I was really disappointed because when I called to ask if they could offer me the same deal package for black colour instead of rosewood, the salesperson Amy went to check with her manager and replied me ‘yes’. Then I told her I will call my husband to confirm and get back to her latest by the next day morning. When I called the next morning, Amy was off and the other salesperson told me the manager on duty said ‘No’. I can only buy the rosewood at the special price.

Then I called Reidys and was very pleased with their service. Everything, including payment was done within 10mins and they are prompt in their delivery. I ordered my piano on Friday and I received it on Monday. The good thing is I am getting 2 years warranty instead of 1 year which gear4music is offering. It’s a blessing in disguise that I bought from Reidys.

Cheryl

None yet. Waiting for the first review…

None yet. Waiting for the first review…