I currently own a Baldwin Grand that I like a lot. Previously I've owned both Yamaha and a Steinway piano. But my favorite was a Bosendorfer I played some 30 years ago. It gave me chills and goosebumps while playing.
Whenever I play everyone gets chills and goosebumps! But not because I'm sounding great! LoL Dang'd...I wasted too many years, too much money on my kids piano lessons instead of doing for myself. I begged my parents the moment I discovered the piano, I was 4.5 yrs old, sat on the piano bench and made up my own beautiful music. Everyone who heard me told my parents I was gifted and should get me a piano and lessons...Sadly they only thought of themselves and I was told I was too stupid to learn anything....I'm angry about all of this, but I decided a year ago after my 66th birthday to learn how to play piano, read music...easier said than done at my age and failing health. On my good days, I'll practice/play for several hours...on the bad days (pain), I play for about an hour....I LOVE playing/learning piano...I wish younger folks could realize the blessings they have when they're given lessons and have a piano! Too much time wasted on playing games and on the social media thats rewiring their brains...sad to see time wasted on junk!
Zelda Zelda calling games junk is quite hypocritical I would say. Why are you playing piano? For entertainment. Not everyone has the same taste and not everyone is interested in music, some are interested in strategic games like chess, some in football, some in music, some in computer games. Do any of these things really make you special? Well, if you are good enough you can earn you living with each of them. Each of them can be a source of entertainment and delight. I would bet you have not seen the work that goes into games like Starcraft, cs:go, dota for professionals. Shaming something just because you do not like it is simply ignorant. Also, it is Never too late to learn an instrument, just keep consistently practicing, but more important than long practice is that you practice efficiently. Hope you find happiness with your piano.
There are a few pianos that I've had the pleasure of playing that absolutely floored me with there sound. One was a 1912 Baldwin which had probably the most unique sound I've ever heard in a piano, it grabbed everyone's attention the instant I played the first note! It was so incredibly warm, but also articulate, slightly intimate, but very dynamic(I should've bought it). Another was a '70's era Baldwin that had been previously owned by Dave Brubeck. It seemed to just make inventive ideas come flowing from the fingers with no effort, and I noticed this before I was told it was Brubeck's piano. Another was a Bluthner, which I played at the Crest theater in Sacramento, it simply sang a bird! And another was a 1928 Bosendorfer which had recently been rebuilt, and just felt and sounded right. I've played other fantastic pianos, great Steinways, Mason & Hamilns, etc., but those four specific pianos are the ones that jump out in my mind. My favorites of the currently made pianos are probably the Mason & Hamilns.
Good advice. This is not the first time I have heard someone say, "Just choose the piano that inspires you to play it." In my search for a new (used) piano, I played Mason & Hamlin, Baldwin, Yamaha, Samick, Kawaii, Young Chang, Kohler and Campbell, etc, etc., till I found a piano that I fell in love with because of its' sound and playability (action). I was on a $7000 budget and found that any piano over 30 years usually had sloppy action. After playing about 40 pianos, I narrowed it down to a new 5'3" Pearl River (yeah, I know, but have you played the new ones?) and a 1991 5'3" Weinbach in pristine condition, rarely played, tuned regularly, and with a working humidifier. I am completely satisfied with my purchase of the Weinbach. It is as good or better than the Pearl River and I was able to purchase for $5000. I'm a happy piano player. Now leave me alone. I have to go practice.
Action is definitely heavy. I had a Petrof for a few years, and I loved the sound. But the actions was definitely heavy. Weinbach and Petrof are identical. They are also sensitive to humidity changes. And I agree, some Chinese pianos are amazing. And they continue to improve.
I was in Paris and walked in to the Centre Chopin piano store, not far from Pere Lachaise cemetery. My goal was to play a Pleyel (the Pleyel showroom had been shuttered). Debussy on the Pleyel I found was beautiful, and then I saw the Bechstein. I played Brahms op 188, nrs 1 and 2. The Bechstein has the most melodious middle register. Each instrument was beautiful in its own way. At home I make do with a Steinway L (;
Hello again Robert. I wanted to tell you that I finally chose my new piano and it was the Shigeru SK3L. As a home player with fairly a modest but competent playing ability I love the immediate response and reward I get from the Kawai when I play. It seems so easy to play and it definitely has a richer tone than the slightly smaller SK2L. As I play film music and modern music including pop and songs from the musicals I also feel it’s tone is more suited for that whereas the Schimmel was more suited for Debussy or Brahms etc. As you know as well, Kawai send a specialist technician to adjust the piano right in your home some time after it’s settled in which is pretty impressive customer service. My advice for anyone looking to spend this kind of money is to try out as many pianos as possible and not to be swayed by a name. If I’d been in the next price bracket up I would probably have gone for the Yamaha CF4 but how many people would choose that over a Steinway Model O for the same price even if the Yamaha was a better instrument for their purposes? Finally, may I recommend that you try out the latest Bösendorfer 185. They’ve improved the treble so it’s now gorgeous and the bass and, in fact, the entire range is awesome. I’d be very interested to hear your expert opinion on it. I enjoy your videos very much including your performances. If I lived in California, yours would definitely be the shop where I bought my piano. 😊👌
I've played both, a lot. It really matters which ones you play. You can play a M Steinway in a practice room in a conservatory and it'll be nothing like the D they have in the concert hall in that same conservatory. And Yamaha makes a huge range of instruments as well. I hope you get to play some of the better pianos of both marques and other fine marques as well.
Great video. Yes, I totally agree with Robert on this topic when choosing pianos. Brands can help you simplify your choosing options but it all comes down to personal preference. Just because the piano is a Steinway doesn't mean it's "your" Steinway. Some people prefer a brighter tone. Others like a more mellow tone. For me, I like a lighter action. Last time, I got a chance play on a $100,000 Petrof grand piano and it was indeed a good piano but couldn't connect myself to it. I then switched on over to a made in China upright piano that costed a fraction of the Petrof (and initially biased towards it) but my fingers were unexpectedly dancing all over the keys. For some strange reason, that upright connected with me more. Now I'm no professional concert pianist but I really do believe it's more than just the brand or the price but the magical connection you get when you start making music with the piano. Though the one piano that I basically almost died for was a Steinway Model C. Asking price: $99,000. :P
I bought a rebuilt 1928 Sohmer parlor grand. New strings, hammers, et al. Original soundboard and ivory keys. After six years, I still enjoy playing it as much as ever. It took many months to find the serial #, but I eventually found it on the top of the lyre. But I love that sort of aged-brandy sound of the Sohmer.
I like upper end Kawai verticals - tend to have a feel and a tone I like better than Yamaha. I like the Astin-Weight and Charles Walter pianos I've played very much. Some Steinways are very nice. I tend to go for a specific touch and tone, rather than a brand.
Look for China now to have a presence in the medium-high level of the market. A high-rated piano that got a lot of buzz in Germany is Hailun. The workmanship and quality was rated to be top notch. They are making superb uprights and baby and conservatory grands. What people need to know is that Kawai, Yamaha, and this brand Hailun, use a good amount of German parts in their pianos, action, strings, felt, screws, and some of the woods. Pianos can't really be thought of as coming from one country anymore, at least the nicer ones. I totally agree with your approach that there really is no best, each piano is different even if they come from the same brand, and it comes down to personal preference.
Lately I have been going to several different piano stores to try out different pianos and see what I like. I've played multiple models of Yamaha (their hand made sx and cf lines), Schimmel, Steinway, Baldwin, Fazioli, Estonia, Bosendorfer and even an old Mason and Hamlin that was in great condition but needed to be tuned and regulated. My favorite has been the Bosendorfer 225 by far, then one of the Steinway B's that I played. The only problem is coming up with the money for either of those pianos. Outside of shopping my father in law has a Baldwin from the 30s that he has taken good care of. He is a piano salesman and technician. That's another one of my favorite pianos.
You might make a video on the magical ability of a piano to sound like one piano underneath the hand of one layer, and COMPLETELY different under the hand of a different player. I have seen this many times. Pianos are alive.
Till now I have only played on a brand new Yamaha (in my Piano lessons), a couple of years old Kawai (in the music room of my school) and a Bechstein (also at my school; felt like it's over 80 years old, really bad condition). At home I just have a digital Piano from Yamaha because I have no money for my dream piano the Bösendorfer or a Bechstein or a Steinway or a Blüthner because I'm just 17...
Which were the best piano brands 100 years ago? Could you make a video about this? To inform people about their old pianos? About brands that were really good but they were bought over the years. Thank you.
I played a lot on Förster, Petrof, Yamaha and Bösendorfer. I can't say i have a preference in particular, they all had their different qualities. But I must say, I did quite enjoy the Bösi
Good for you. Pianos are different. We need to stop trying to find a "best" IMO. Enjoy the differences and the great qualities each one has. And it's ok to have a preference, but that doesn't mean if someone has a preference that it's the best instrument.
Thanks for an informative video Robert. I’m currently choosing between a Schimmel K175, a Shigeru Kawai SK3L and a Yamaha S3X. Although far better players than me tell me that the Schimmel has a more even tone and a real concert grand action making technically difficult classical music better played on it I don’t play classical music. For me it’s between the 2 Japanese pianos and it’s a very close call. I’m leaning towards the Shigeru. Do you have an opinion Robert? Or anyone there for that matter. 😎
I'm still in love with my baby grand Hamilton by Baldwin built in 1932. It's unbelievable to me and others who come play it how beautiful its sound is as well as how in good shape the piano is even after being played for so many years.... Anyone else there has played a Hamilton by Baldwin?
I have an old Hamilton and I love it. The low end resonates beautifully and the nigh end is fantastic. it doesn't nave that snattering glass sound some pianos seem to have, in my perception anyway. I am very happy with it and its al ost 60 years old.
I really like the show you put together. Living is totally appripriate because. The Klavier is indeed a breathing living creature with each one unique timbre and each one a voice.
I watch these vids just because I wanted to learn a little more about Pianos. I don't play much beyond rudimentary level, but I can tune them and perform basic maintenance. I'm sure my US made Wurlitzer console is nothing to exite the super-pro, but it's mine, and I got it for chump change.
i enjoy my deeper sounding pianos. although i have played a Steinway on numerous occasion, i do have to admit, the Seiler, Sauter and Baldwins are my favourite. Seiler and Sauter came in early on in my University career, but the Baldwin has always been a star in my heart since childhood.
I enjoyed this dissertation very much, Robert. Your sagacity and expertise blends well with your youthful energy. You are a veritable fount of cogent observations. I have a question for you. In 1992 I traveled to Sydney Australia. Down on Darlinghurst there's Kings Cross, and there was a legendary bistro called "The Bourbon & Beefsteak." At ten on a groggy Sunday morning I wobbled in for one of their famous breakfasts (and a hair of the dog,) and spied ,on a raised floor, surrounded by velvet "Don't you dare touch me" ropes - A very old 9 foot Baldwin grand. But I was a guest of the government, and with a cheerful dispensation from the manager, I was allowed to play it. My God. I don't know how long I played that morning, but I was intoxicated in a whole new way. Today the great piano is gone, the historic watering hole closed - but the memory of me and that old Baldwin has resonated in my head for 24 years.That Baldwin had a Renner action. The Steinway D still has more power though. Am I being sentimental, or were the older pianos actually better than the ones I'm playing today?
To true, I for one love steinways but I had the pleasure of playing a beautiful yamaha concert grand that was made using the techniques used in making bosendorfers. The sound quality was superb and the action was perfectly balanced, A lot of yamaha's are generally to bright sounding for my taste but this one wasn't to bright it was very mellow and well rounded.
If it was an X piano, that's the direction Yamaha is going in. Some of the older Yamahas weren't that bright. They vary. However, the pianos like the CFX, SX, and CX, all have a different tone to them than the older Yamahas. It sounds like you played a CFX.
I totally agree about price, the same concept applies to acoustic guitars, i've played on guitars individually worth thousands and some of them don't compare to a hundred dollar yamaha practice guitar. The materiel used is only half the story, the construction and precision of the instrument is what really separates a good sound from a sub-par sound. I'm currently looking for a piano and stumbled on a company called Irmel, i didnt know where it was made and i played a bit on it and loved it; after asking where it was made i was told it's made in China, i was surprised as i heard many tell me to avoid Chinese made instruments, So yes; test the instrument and if it sounds good and touches all the bases then regardless of where it's manufactured it's going to be a good buy for you.
I'm from the UK and I've been looking for an upright to replace the old one I bought for my kids from a charity shop (the wrestplank was cracked and couldn't stay tuned). I would love to have another grand (I owned an old Broadwood straight strung once - the pins screwed into the frame!) but there's not enough space in our house. I resigned myself to spending about £3000 on a basic model Yamaha or maybe even the cheapest new piano I could find for £2000. I was coming to the conclusion that it might be better to buy a new cheap upright than an old one that needs a lot of work doing to it. I was in two minds which to do. But my problem was solved suddenly after seeing a Weber W121 sold on eBay. After watching your video of this piano I instantly fell in love with the beautiful sound and quality of construction. What's more, the seller bought her Weber new in 2016 for about £5000 and was now selling it for under £2000. What an amazing bit of luck and a wonderful bargain. Sometimes something just clicks and you suddenly know exactly what you want. There was something about the sound that made me suddently sit up! It should be delivered next week. I can't wait (I'm more excited than the kids!) Thanks for your wonderful videos and beautiful playing Robert. They really help to bring out the very best of every piano you play.
Hey, let me just add a funny story. The regular piano tuner of my old charity shop piano (a Steinbach) didn't tell me he wasn't able to tune to piano to concert pitch and was tuning it down a semitone. Eventually it started slipping out of tune just a few weeks after he'd tuned it. So I decided to ask another local piano tuner to come and see what work was needed. When he arrived I discovered he was blind. He listened to the piano first and started to investigate. As we were talking, he used his fingers to search around the pins. Eventually he stopped and said "hold on, what's this?". When I looked then sure enough the wrestplank was cracked. He found another crack further down the piano using the same method. So, in 15 minutes he'd found a problem that my sighted tuner never noticed!
I had an 1886 Steinway; just like this article said, it wasn't worth rebuilding. I couldn't sell it. Gave it away to a piano store on commission. I never got a dime for it. Then I had a Yamaha U3 upright...this piano was amazing in it's key action and resonance! I cried when I sold it, but I was moving and now had the room for a baby grand. Yes, another Yamaha, but only paid for a G series, 5 footer. Not half as good as my U3 ....I wish I had bought a higher level baby grand. I'm not playing much these days, so I don't know if it's worth a trade up.... but maybe I WOULD play more.
When I was a music student In university, there was a 6+ foot Baldwin in a small practice room that I used to play every day for many hours. While it was not perfect, it was my favorite among a selection of steinway and mason & hamlin baby grands for its tremendous bass and powerful presence. I have also played hand-built Yamaha and Kawai pianos that I enjoyed greatly, but I generally find the build quality of Steinways to be reliable and consistent. There are for more steinways I have enjoyed playing than disliked. Quality can vary greatly among other manufacturers. Many Yamahas sound way too bright for my tastes (even when played by great musicians like Chick Corea or Hiromi).
My favored choice having low budget is Kohler & Campbell 1995 Grand Piano 6'1. I paid $5000 and the sound is very vibrant but soft (not scratchy that you hear the strings). The closest brand that I could compere with simular sound would be a Baldwin. Beautiful range of dynamic from PPP to FFF, nice deep base considering only 6'1. Playing it is one of my most lovely experience. The piano looks like brand new never played. I bought it without thinking much! Could you give me your opinion for YEA and NO in case of this brand and this particular 6'1 Grand Piano? Please!
Ouch... As you said in 2010... A lot of pianos today are made of plywood and plastic parts and given the fact that I could never afford to buy any quality type of piano and I have no room for a beautiful pro-line concert nine foot grand piano... People today are just dumping their pianos in the dump??? So, I was lucky enough to find and will be restoring a handcrafted 1905, Hardman & Peck, Grand Upright Piano, 85000 series... Wow, I could never afford a piano, but I consider myself very fortunate to have found a vintage Hardman & Peck piano and it still sounds stunning...It is so funny that I barely have room enough for my new vintage piano as it is, 55" high, 62.5" long, by 29" in width, lololol... Just saying...
I've come to like Mason and Hamlin, Chickering, and Bluthner. You might see that I like used pianos that deserve care. Bluthners have "singing" higher notes that sound great at venues with masonry floors and walls. Mason and Hamlin have more bass that lend them to Gershwin pieces, as well as "classicalized" modern music. I've seen some old Chickerings that had interior tenor voices perfectly suited for late 1800's pieces. Fazioli are geared to older pieces that need high notes to ring. Baldwin is balanced. Steinway, Yamaha, etc, have their own sounds too. I have a family heirloom Story and Clark console that's 57 years old, in New Mexico. The sound is muddy in a romantic kind of way. The highs don't ring. The lows are metallic. The highest octaves go "plink". The voice of that piano lends itself to piano arrangements of modern music with certain notes removed. Remember, Music is art. You do it because you know the sound you like and want. It doesn't matter if you're playing Beethoven, Gershwin, Bach, or Post Malone. The tonal character of the piano greatly affects the way your record your art. Look at cymbals. Listen to the crash of a Paiste blue signature ride, then a Sabian AAX, then a Meinl byzance, and ask yourself, Jazz, pop, rock, hip-hop, or classical.
Hello Dear Robert and Friends, I am going to buy a new upright piano.I am currently studying on my teacher's Offenbach in my lessons.But i researched this brand and people say its a bad piano.When i play this instrument on my classes,i very much appriciate it.But i do not have very much knowledge on pianos.Are Offenbach pianos really bad?Should i buy one of these Offenbach pianos, or something like a Blüthner,Fazioli etc.like you mentioned in this video.Thank you for your help, stay safe and take care of yourselves.
It was my piano teacher's opinion that, when considering very good grand pianos, if one could hypothetically cover up the names on the pianos and have them side by side in a concert hall, the world's very best pianists would not be able to tell which one was a Steinway, Yamaha, Baldin, etc. Any insight on this assertion?
That is absolutely not true. No offense to your teacher, but keep in mind that most teachers know nothing of the details of such a complex instrument; The difference in parts, how they're made, the way the woods are aged, the types of woods, the specific scale design, the string length, a one piece rim vs. a two piece rim, the ability of the action to be adjusted/manipulated to the players liking, the quality of the strings and what factory they come out of, whether the sound board is solid or laminated, tapered or the same thickness throughout. Vacuum plates vs sand cast plates, vertically laminated bridges vs. horizontally laminated bridges, duplex scaling vs no duplex scaling, how many tree rings per square inch in a high quality piano vs a low quality piano, the type of hard woods (and sometimes softer) a rim is made out of (maple, mahogany, beech, etc.), how many action brackets to support the action of a piano, how many back posts (if any) to support the 16 tons of tension in an upright piano. Just these differences should answer your question. I have not been blind folded or had the ability to play on pianos with their names covered. However, when I am told I will play on a specific piano, i can almost always tell what to expect as far as what the piano will sound and feel like if it is well prepared. I know that when someone tells me I'll be playing on a 6' yamaha that is 20 years old, it will almost always be extremely bright. I can tell that when I am presented with a well prepared Steinway D that the bass will be extremely prominent which will be very hard to beat in most other high end pianos. I know that when I'm presented with a Fazioli, it will most likely be a very bright piano. Each well known brand is known for the character that the manufacturer tries to replicate from one piano to the next. The notion that a very accomplished pianist cannot tell the difference in a "blind" playing makes the assumption that all pianists look for and desire the same things from a piano. That's obviously not true as opinions very widely from one to the other.
Thanks for that lengthy explanation, Lucas. It is very detailed and helpful and appears to have answered a question I have had for years. My teacher would have appreciated your insights on it as well.
I'm new to pianos but I have noticed from watching videos the way a newer generation Steinway sounds VS some other pianos. But I'm new so I won't act like I know much of what I'm talking about, good post though. Maybe I'll get a chance to own a nice grand piano that was built sometime in the 2000's someday
Robert, I just wish to clarify that Samick once held a minority share in Bechstein, but never owned it. That minority share was bought back years ago and today, Bechstein is owned by Stefan Freymuth, a Berliner businessman. No shares, no shareholders, no Japanese/Korean/Chinese co-owners.
Moretacos1, if digital is good enough for you then great but don't make up bogus numbers without any idea what you are talking about. No matter what digital will never be an acoustic piano not provide the same experience. While acoustic is not always an option for everyone, that doesn't change the fact that if you want the real piano experience there is only one option
+shaolin95 Well said. I have a digital because I live in an apartment building and want to play late at night. It's adequate for now but an acoustic is totally different in terms of touch and sound.
+shaolin95 Well said. I have a digital because I live in an apartment building and want to play late at night. It's adequate for now but an acoustic is totally different in terms of touch and sound.
+gmwdim thanks and just to clarify like in your situation I would for sure play a digital well. Any good digital piano is better than no piano at all. ☺
my list:1. bösendosfer 2. steinway 3.Shehiru kawai ex and sk 5 I played on steinway d. it was my dream piano before i heard kawai sk ex and bösendorfer inperial. bechsteins are good too but the bass on bösendorfer is amazing and richer and better from steinway too. on kawai the sound is melow and clear. steinways are only loud. sry about my englis i am cro and love your videos.
Very well presented . . . but based upon these facts, besides the personal preferences of touch, tone, and case style -- what elements of quality, regardless of personal preferences, would hold a buyer in good stead? If you personally were purchasing a piano for a friend, besides reputation or name, which seems by your presentation to be deceptive at times -- what would you inspect to tell you the condition of the piano and would give you visual as well as tactile assurance that you are not being ripped-off?
***** These are very good questions. We have a few videos that address these issues when it comes to used pianos. A Soundboard should be in good condition to even consider buying a used piano and the plate must not have any major cracks. This video is mostly concerned with new pianos and the current state of the piano market. There are a number of issues to check for when buying a vintage instrument. Here are a few videos to help: How to Buy a Used Piano: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Y2e3kPzP5kU.html How to check for Soundboard issues: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-GVt-9fZmP_w.html Old Vs. New Pianos: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wEvJF4CvT3c.html What are Stencil Pianos? ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rd4a1wreHNQ.html Can you Replace a Soundboard: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-6_XQAbihFnc.html What is a Pitch Raise: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nNBFfLHj1MI.html Rebuilding Vs. Reconditioning: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-j0nYdswAMDE.html The MOST Important Part of a Piano: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-QY4ApzGGMr8.html Regulation, Voicing and Fine Tuning: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-U3poxhL1hhA.html Rebuilding with Steinway Parts: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Q3wwW4c0nSo.html Myth of the $1,000 Piano: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE--n5aHTBiz6U.html Gray Market Yamaha Pianos: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uvEkeE-TsYA.html Helping Your Piano Last Longer: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-23rgUf0dL3k.html What is the Right Piano for You: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BrMzayxHI8A.html Hope these help!
My favorite brand is Young Chang because it gives me a larger piano for the price that still can perform nicely. I spent some money having the best Steinway technician to work on it and it sounds glorious...way better than its stock configuration and above its price range.
1 bosendorfer 290 imperial- bass is insein 2.sk -ex- clearer version of steinway d 3.steinway- standard for evri concert hall this are my top 3. what about you?
First, Steinway doesn't attend the NAMM show, so you can't "demo" a Steinway there. Second, and significantly, over 98% of all concert artists freely choose to play the Steinway D (Concert Grand). Steinway doesn't pay them to play their pianos, like the others. These same artists have at least one Steinway in their home, usually a Steinway B (the so-called "music room" piano). Finally, every Steinway piano is handmade, in New York or Hamburg, each taking a year to produce. Why aren't they on your list?
Steinway is not the same piano used to be after the 1960 they change to Teflon bearings and creating clicks in their piano.they have since gone back and taken away the Teflon but they are not the same brand and they are actually trying to sell it to a Chinese company right now. Hopefully they will get back to the mark and quality that they used to.be. I would really recommend going to a fazioli and it's an amazing piano
***** it's my great great great grandfather's piano. I was just curious its worth. I'm not selling it cause it's an heirloom and it looks great in my hall. matches my victorian home and furnature well. Thanks for the info.
I knew someone who had a Chickering restored and a year later it was unplayable. I'm not sure whether it was that piano or the person who restored it. Also not a fan of square grands except for looks, but if you want to know the value, there are a couple great sites for that. See bluebookofpianos.com/ and antiquepianoshop.com/faqs/#!/what-is-it-worth There are videos there. Another page talks about square pianos in particular at antiquepianoshop.com/square-grand-pianos/ I love that site - great videos and very details FAQs and information.
Is it wise to semi rebuild an old +-60 year old German Sauter upright piano, with original Renner action, serviced in 1996, that looks like it came out the factory only last year, the wood, soundboard, strings, pedals all are 100% perfect and original parts but needs attention to its mechanism only. Is it worth to by it and let a technician check out the mechanism? This piano costs only $200.
The other day went to a piano store with a friend. There were several used Steinway grand pianos. At least 1 selling for over $100,000 (used). And then 2 Bösendorfer on display. The first looked conventional with all black finish on the exterior except for the foot pedals. The other has silver colored legs designed by Porsche (the car company) and both over $100,000. My friend tried to play "Clair de Lune" by Debussy on both and found he preferred the sound of the Bösendorfer with the classic look. The other with a contemporary (sort of Art Deco) look stands out. Another piano which stands out is a Yamaha grand painted red with the signature "Elton John" on the label. Don't think the red color (probably the Pop singer's favorite) makes any difference in the sound quality compared to a piano painted black. There were several Heintzman upright pianos. The used ones with "Toronto" (in Canada) on the label are the originals. The new ones made without "Toronto" on the label are made in China.
I think for consistency in good quality, Yamaha is the best instrument in the last 15-20 years. If I'm playing a concert and they tell me beforehand that they have a concert grand Yamaha and a concert grand Steinway, but they have to put one on stage beforehand without me trying them both out, I would say to put the Yamaha on stage (or even if it was a Bechstein or M&H). I know with reasonable certainty that the Yamaha will have a very good action and the tone will be decent (or at least neutral). If the Steinway is good, it will of course be better than the Yamaha, but the chances of it being a dog are much, much higher--dead-sounding treble, sluggish action, muffled low register, etc.
Jim Hendricks actually, Yamaha grand pianos before 1990 were much better made than the new ones. I found, after looking for 5 years, a mint Yamaha C7. It is incredible! Best piano I’ve played. I’ve played the Steinway in the Steinway gallery in NYC. But who can afford that!?
I don't find the Steinway to have a "better" tone than a good 2010 and newer Yamaha CF grand, or even CX to a degree. Maybe before then, I'd agree. Now the tone is just different. There are big differences, though, in Yamaha's tone from piano to piano. But, the action seems to be consistent. For the most part, the Steinways I hear are in big concert halls, they are usually Hamburgs, and are beautifully prepared. I hear some NY Steinway dogs in venues from time to time, but you get Yamaha dogs in venues too and sometimes on concert stages.
I don't like Yamahas portable keyboards, they don't have the bounce back I like. Haven't tried their digital pianos yet, I will tomorrow. But I did try a Roland digital piano and its really good. I also haven't tried an acoustic piano yet, but I will tomorrow ;) will edit later. Its all about what you like.
Globalism seems to centralize production in low cost labor countries and consumption in rich countries. If globalism continues, people in the U.S. will be making $2 a day, like in China. We want "equality", don't we? So let's get excited about making $2 a day in near future.
Classical pianists want that "European" sound, the one you get from a Fazioli, Bechstein model C, Vienne grand or a steinway hamburg. they can't be beaten for classical music.
Broadwood for mostly sentimental reasons as well as the fact that they supplied Beethoven with a piano that (nearly) withstood the pounding he gave it. If not Broadwood, then a Marshall & Rose upright for the average sized lounge room. Unfortunately, both fine English brands now defunct, displaced by the inferior Challen or Storey & Clarke types issued to schools and studios all over.
Every two to three years, perhaps he should. This video is much fairer than the earlier video he did on "best." So I feel Mr. Estrin is aware of the changing situations with pianos. It's kind of exciting, and the acoustic piano is here to stay.
The best, who can really say. Personally I’m a Vladimir Horowitz fan and as you he favored Steinways. What I have noticed with Steinways is the sympathetic musical nuances piano gives which makes for a intuitive involvement on the listeners part. That is why it’s one of my favorites. That being said if I had to choose it would be a Fazioli. The musicality is so attention getting.
You should be able to buy a used German upright piano between $ 5 K and $ 10 K. These are fine instruments. There are also very acceptable grand pianos from formerly East German production (like Blüthner produced between 1950 and 1989) that can be picked up at reasonable prices. Otherwise, Bechstein, Grotrian, Schimmel, Ibach, Seiler, Sauter, Pfeiffer, Förster are the best German piano brands woeth looking out for.
I think it's useless to look for a best brand. Objectively, even if Faziolis are best built the best sounding instruments are truly subjective. What I find interesting are improving brands. Estonia has vastly improved in the Laul era for instance. Yamaha has improved the tone of their fairly expensive to expensive grand pianos in the past 10 years. There have been improved versions of Schimmel. There are now interesting pianos coming from Pearl River like their improved Ritmullers and Kayserburgs. I also value bang for buck. Sure, it's impressive to make a cost is no option Fazioli or Bosendorfer. But it's more impressive, in my opinion, to make an impressive piano that most people can actually buy and totally get a rewarding experience out of playing and owning.
I imagine Fazioli would get a major boost with Chopin competition winner choosing their instrument, followed by Petrof whose latest series are astonishing instruments.
