Many thanks for these contributions.

Mac, I should have added “all other things being equal” i.e. of course I will be considering the critical playability criteria you mention, but given the choice between a black finish and another finish - all other things being equal -, my preference would be for black. Sorry that this was not made clear.

Those Rondo models are certainly competitively priced, but I’m not sure they are available to try over here (in France).

Thanks Roger/Larry – for confirming the try-before-you-buy principle. Makes sense. To me anyway.

Thanks Guido. Not sure I’d be happy buying a second hand model. I’d always be concerned that there is some hidden fault that has temporarily been patched up.

scary Scott? There would be more chance of my taking an electric drill to my own head than to my Yammy. I’m just not a d-i-y kind of guy (not for things I care about, anyway!) But thanks for the suggestion and links.

Will put in some leg work, but am intrigued about those Rondos.

Marc