The Great Shock
at Piano Piano was dealt almost on the way out. I saw this piano and went over to it. I got closer and soon recognized the brand and was about to turn away when Bruce bid me sit down and play.I was immediately shocked! This piano was in perfect preparation, in tune and voiced nicely. It played as well as the Petrofs had played. It had a Renner action, etc. And much else about this piano seemed so unlike anything else I'd ever played by this piano maker. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the name on the fallboard was
SAMICK!What Samick has done is to produce a set of what they call "World Class" pianos, their WSG series only. These pianos were designed to compete against many of the European pianos on their own terms. They sound and play like the European pianos. They are not as over bright or thin as their predecessors and much better built. They are priced very competitively too, almost a full price point per size down from Petrof !! If you want a great piano and really don't care what name's on the fallboard, these are practically irresistible.
I felt a little shiver seeing such quality offered for such prices, knowing that there were great things afoot in Asia. These pianos were very real competition; all Renner action, Renner or Abel hammers, Roslau strings, a European scale, Sitka spruce soundboards, everything else built solid. I was very impressed. Bruce was clearly impressed as well.
If you are interested in these Samick pianos, make sure they are the WSG series only. Better yet, call and make an appointment with Bruce Nidd to see and play a few at Piano Piano in New York City.
