How to find the right piano for you

It’s hard to say, which is the best piano. –Each piano manufacturer tailored their pianos toward a different market, and geared towards different venues, therefore each brand of pianos is better suited for different genres and styles of music. We can give a few examples of the manufacturers’ intentions:

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 3-4 months time
• frequent consultations with a professional technician.
• for a reference, call (800)33-TUNER and visit www.amadeuspianos.com

1. Steinway & Sons is the best-advertised brand of pianos in the world. They have made their name on concert-sized pianos, perfect for solo piano classical and contemporary music performances. Their concert grand pianos range in prices from around $90,000+ The German, Hamburgh Steinway & Sons piano is far better constructed than the one in Astoria, New York and is a little more pricy. Be careful with new Steinway Pianos as they have started to make some of them in China since the 1990’s
2. Bosendorfer is a wonderful piano, with a light Renner Action and the perfect sound for chamber music and string group accompaniment. Their concert pianos range from around $120,000
3. Knabe was the official piano of the Metropolitan Opera for many years until Knabe stopped making quality pianos. The 1920’s through 1960’s Knabe was the finest instrument ever constructed for the vocalist. Singers always prefer the Knabe’s mellow and deep tone to any other piano. In restored condition the antique Knabe is worth between $25,000 and $85,000. The brand new Knabe is a rather inferior copy, constructed in Indonesia and has a lifespan of up to 20 years of moderate use if regularly maintained.
4. Baldwin was a great piano for Jazz, bues and Rock. Their best pianos were made from the 1920’s through the 1960’s. They have been making pianos in Asia since the 1970’s
5. Yamaha was known to be the “best bang for your buck” in the ‘80s and early ‘90s. While they were made in Japan (they are not any more) it was a really strong piano. It could withstand our ever-changing climate and was a very durable instrument. You can still buy used Yamaha and have a more decent instrument than their new one
6. Kawai is a strong piano. Still made with good quality in Japan, it was always chasing after and now outclasses the Yamaha piano. Their tone is very mellow and many musicians have the action custom-regulated and voiced in order to be able to enjoy the piano.
7. Overall, the finest pianos were built between 1920 and 1960. To purchase a brand new upright piano of similar quality, the starting price is about $18,000+ good Baby grand pianos start at about $30,000+ and fine grand pianos start at $65,000+

Tips & Warnings

• There are many fine American and European pianos including Chickering, Mason & Hamlin, Steinweg, Boston, Kimball, Wurlitzer, Sohmer, Petrof, Pleyel, Schimmel, Story & Clark, Kohler & Campbell, Kranich & Bach, Bechstein, Bluthner, Cable Pianos, Howard, Fazioli, Feurich, Forster, August , Grotrian, Gulbransen, Ibach, Hardman and Peck, Krakauer, Sauter, Seiler, George Steck, and many more. Please call us at (800)33-TUNER for a consultation. It’s possible to acquire a fine antique upright in original condition from $2,000 to $5000 and a baby grand or grand piano in original condition from $5,000 to $10,000 Restoration costs vary depending on condition of the instrument, and the value of antique pianos in showroom condition far exceeds that of new pianos. Please feel free to contact us at any time for a consultation or to schedule an appointment for an estimate with a professional technician.
• never purchase a piano without having an estimate performed by a professional technician. The structural integrity and condition of the hardwood is very important in the way your piano will hold its' tuning and how long it will live.
• (800)33-TUNER
• www.amadeuspianos.com