Y-C Pramberger Pianos

[Phillip L Ford]

Del,

You haven't got much response on this post so I thought I would throw
in my two cents worth.
---
Del wrote:

It's just that since Y-C has included just about everything
except the patented and copyrighted S&S Mystique Oyle I'm more than a bit
curious to see if they are able to live up to their billing and pedigree.
I'm curious about how others think they sound, play, tune, etc. And, of
course, how they think they compare to the original.

Thanks,

Del
---

I went to a presentation at a local dealer which
Pramberger attended.  One of the pianos was there and he gave a 
presentation about the manufacture of the pianos, showing pictures from
the factory.


With my technician hat on I don't have too much to say because I really
didn't get to do anything to the piano or spend any time with it.  The fit
and finish are good and the materials look to be of good quality (they
compare quite favorably to Brand S in that regard).  I did not
see the action.  I have not tuned one or worked on one.

With my pianist hat on I have to say that the piano that I saw was
impressive.  Nice crisp responsive action that was very uniform and 
even, not too heavy and fairly quick.  The tone had something of what
I think of as typical Asian sound: clean, focused, slightly metallic, and
slightly percussive while at the same time having something of the
warmth, richness, and sustain of a good American piano.  An enjoyable
piano to play.  An employee of Brand S, who was a good pianist (and
who shall remain nameless) also tried the piano and also seemed to be
impressed.  I've only played the one so I don't know if it is representative,
but I think it compared quite favorably to its rival (sibling?).  When you
throw price into the equation then I think it is a piano that pianists are
going to be considering in the future.
Looking at it strictly as a pianist I would definitely prefer it myself to a
Boston.  I am often disappointed by new Brand S pianos but sometimes
come across ones that are exciting.  If price was not a consideration and
I was seeking a new piano then I would search through the Brand S pianos
until I found one that I wanted.  The Pramberger just doesn't have that
certain something for me.  Also, I suspect the Prambergers may have 
another attribute of Asian pianos that I consider a negative - one Brand X
piano sounds pretty much like another Brand X piano.  Say what you will
about Brand S's methods of manufacture and quality control (and the
negative consequences thereof), there is something very appealing to
pianists about the fact that it results in pianos that are not all the same.
But, that said, if price was a consideration the only thing that would stop
me from seriously considering the Pramberger is that there is no track
record of stability and longevity as yet.
I hope this is useful input.

Phil


---
Phillip Ford
Piano Service & Restoration
1777 Yosemite Ave
San Francisco, CA  94124


Make a difference, help support the relief efforts in the U.S.
http://clubs.lycos.com/live/events/september11.asp