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If you’re on your way to buying your first piano, you might feel a little lost. they’re big, they’re expensive, and unlike cars, you can’t do research by looking at other people’s on your way to work.
This article is intended to be a quick, informal guide to get you started. pianos are like apples–each different brand has a different flavour, so to speak–so picking the right piano for you is a very subjective process. Therefore, don’t take what I say as gospel and blindly follow it, just use these suggestions to dip your toe into piano world.
This time i’m just going to talk about new upright pianos. Right off, i’m going to recommend you read “The piano book” by Larry Fine. It’s a guide to all the brands out there, who makes them, where, and what their strengths and weaknesses are. He’s been writing and updating this book since 19–um, something (at least 20 years, anyway) and he puts out a new update every year.
One of the first things to think about is your price-range. new uprights range from $4000 to $50000 (yes, 50) and everywhere in between. If you’re around the $4000 and under you might want to consider the best used piano you can find. In new piano world this is around the bottom of the totem pole so to speak, and if you can go to $5500 or $6000 and higher, you’ll be a lot (A LOT!) better off. That’s the minimum.
Alright, on to brands. Again, just take this as me writing from my own experience.
Of course, my personal favourite uprights are from Sauter. I’ve tuned many, in the dealership and in customers’ homes, and i’ve seen them being finished in the factory. Someone once called them “the best uprights in the world,” and i’m inclined to agree. Usually the kind of detail-oriented, careful and precise regulation, tuning and voicing that these pianos undergo is reserved for higher-priced grand pianos in a brand’s line. Sauter treats all their pianos with the same high standard, from their smallest upright to their concert grands. Of course, they’re also the most expensive, apart from Steingraeber, which i’m not familliar with.
The recommended price for Sauter uprights starts at $31800 for their smallest upright (48 inches), and tops out at about $45400 for their tallest (51 inches). Of course, what kind of finish and design will factor into the price as well. For this price you are getting absolutely top quality instruments, and if you can afford it, it’s worth it.
Sauter, and Steingraeber are made in Germany, 100 percent. Most pianos cheaper than those are at least partially made in China or Indonesia. This brings down the price considerably. I have come to know Yamaha, Kawai, Ritmuller and Story and Clark, all of which are at least partly made in China or Indonesia.
I have worked extensively with Kawai, and the more I worked with them, the more I like them. They are reliable and well-made. They start at around $4500 for a 44-inch vertical, and go up to $15000 for their 52-inch vertical. Yamahas tend to be a little more expensive, and in my opinion that is more to do with “brand-name fame” than an actual difference in quality.
My current favorite for the lower-priced pianos is Ritmuller. This is a brand I’ve just discovered, and the more I see them the more I love them. they have a wonderful, rich sound and although they are made in China the scale design is German (the same designer as for Bechstein) and all the parts are German. The smallest start at around $4000 for a 43-inch, and go to $12000 for a 52-inch.
OK! after drowning you in details, i’d like to add a couple of things. One: these prices are usually negotiable, and there’s a great chapter in Larry Fine’s book about entering negotiations with dealers. Do remember though that piano shopping isn’t about chasing the lowest price. It’s about finding a quality instrument that resonates with you. Also most dealers provide pretty good follow-up and warranty service, and for that it’s worth paying a little more.
The last thing is simple. Some people think that if they have a small house they should get a small piano, but a tall upright takes up the SAME amount of floor-space as a tiny spinet! So, if you can afford to, look at the taller pianos. their sound is often better and longer strings help the tuning.
Once again, this is not intended to be the “bible” of piano-buying advice. Do some research, check out “The Piano Book”, and don’t be afraid to ask questions! Good Luck.
July 4th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
great bless you for composing this
May 25th, 2010 at 10:01 am
hello!, thanks for the info, this post was really nice.
May 23rd, 2010 at 12:19 am
Nice post…Thank you for sharing some good things.