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Q & A On Hot Piano Topics
Here is a general list of questions and answers on some of the hot topics involving piano purchases. Just click on the question to be directed to the answer.
n What's the deal with Gray Market pianos? n Are Hamburg Steinways really better? n Should I buy an old piano and have it re-built? n How come I have never heard of that brand? n What is the Steinway Piano Society? n How can I find good piano teacher? n Is it time to tune my piano? n Should I rent a piano or buy a keyboard for n Top 10 reasons not to buy a piano on the
The answers to these intriguing questions are below. _________________________________________
The best pianos in the world: The best pianos in the world are built in New York. Since 1853, Steinway and Sons has defined the modern piano and has been the standard of excellence for over 150 years. If you really want to know who makes the best pianos, start by looking at what pianos the best pianists play.
The Second Tier of Great Piano Builders: Several adequate pianos are built in Germany and Austria. They are Bechstein, Bluthner, and Bosendorfer*. These fine pianos are slightly less expensive than Steinways and are generally found in larger cities where there is a dealer interested in quality pianos, but who is unable to obtain a Steinway dealership. The main disadvantages to these pianos are their lack of dynamic range and their poor investment value. The single reason most often stated by artists for their preference of Steinway pianos is dynamic range, the ability of one to express oneself with the instrument. Very few artists perform on these other pianos.
Because most buyers of used pianos are unfamiliar with obscure brand names these other pianos can be difficult to sell in the secondary market. Steinway Sound Investment. According to government import data reported in major trade publications, these brands export less than 200 grand pianos to the United States annually. This compares with about 2,500 Steinway Grands purchased each year.
The Third Tier (most of the pianos): The vast majority of pianos are manufactured in China, Japan, Indonesia and Korea by, Pearl River, Yamaha, Samick, and Kawai. These are generally medium-to higher-quality pianos. The best of these pianos are the Boston and Essex pianos designed by Steinway and manufactured to their strict specifications over seas. The latest generation of premium Chinese pianos are actually superior to many pianos from Japan and Korea. There has yet to be a piano of Indonesia manufactured to achieve critical acclaim, but it may happen someday.
Boston and Essex pianos incorporate design features previously available only from Steinway, like the diaphragmatic soundboard, which is thicker in the center and tapered to the edges.
The least attractive pianos of this group are instruments manufactured by foreign companies in their U.S. and Indonesian factories. These pianos are built to a significantly lower standard of quality than pianos built in their home country. Simply stated, if you’re buying a German, Japanese, or Korean piano, make sure you get one that is actually manufactured in Germany, Japan or Korea.
The Bottom of The Barrel: Piano manufacturing is a noble effort, but many countries just don't have an economic advantage or sufficient domestic market to compete globally. The United States is a perfect example. Our domestic piano industry, except for Steinway has practically vanished. No one was able to produce low or mid priced pianos here and compete in the world economy. On the other hand, Steinway is the most successful piano company in the world. Both of the large player piano system manufacturers are American. Like other countries and industries, we have found our niches. _________________________________________
What's the deal with Gray Market pianos?
Gray Market Pianos The worst piano you can buy is a ‘gray market’ piano. In 2005 one in five pianos shipped to the U.S. from Japan was a used piano. Mostly, they are 20 or 30 year old Yamaha U,G and C models, Kawai KG, and a few Young Chang, Atlas and Diapason models. They are almost all black many have only 2 pedals. Sellers will try to pass them off as ordinary used pianos. Almost all the used Yamaha and Kawai pianos you find on the internet are gray market. Sellers often have a great story about how these pianos are restored. The truth is these are worn out, used pianos, mostly from institutions in Japan.
A quick, "gray market piano" search on Google will reveal a plethora of information, but it is easy to be mislead. There is a great deal of focus on the debate over whether or not such pianos are seasoned for the U.S. climate. Yamaha says their pianos are built appropriately for any climate, and we believe them. However, this debate skirts the real issue. Climatically appropriate or not, these pianos are worn out beyond their useful lives. Otherwise, why would they be shipped thousands of miles away from their home in the first place?
Incidentally, the greatest critic of gray market pianos is Yamaha America Corp. which will tell you if a piano is gray market, they disavow all responsibility for it. There are a few conscious sellers who actually rebuild the better grands like C-3's and C-7's, but these pianos are much more expensive. Steinway Piano Gallery does not sell them and we won't take them on trade. _________________________________________
Are Hamburg Steinways really better?
New York vs. Hamburg Steinways Steinway also builds about 400 pianos a year in Hamburg Germany for the European market. Because these pianos are rare in the US, they have developed a mystique. Some insist that the Hamburg Steinways are superior, but those familiar with both pianos find that they are only slightly different. All of the scale designs and specifications are identical. (Except that the models 'C' and ‘O’, long ago discontinued in the US, is still built in Hamburg). The primary difference between New York and Hamburg pianos is the hammers. Hamburg Steinway uses 'steam pressed' hammers. This gives the piano the slightly darker sound popular with Europeans. Hamburg Steinways aren't better; they're just slightly different.
Hamburg Steinway Pianos are available from the Steinway Piano Gallery. The price is adjusted for additional transportation costs and currency valuation differential. We have accommodated several of our European clients by installing Hamburg hammers in their pianos, achieving the Hamburg sound without the inconvenience and expense of importing a piano.
Steinway Hall keeps several Hamburg grands in their New York concert rental fleet. They are occasionally used by European artists performing here and are rarely selected by anyone else. There is a story that pianist Keith Jarrett, who owns both a New York Steinway and a Hamburg Steinway, says loves them both. I did some research and confirmed that he does own a Hamburg ‘C’ and a New York ‘B’ and does indeed love them both. _________________________________________
Should I buy an old piano and have it re-built?
Rebuilt Pianos
While the plate is out, the soundboard can be repaired if necessary. It is usually not necessary or advisable to replace the soundboard if it still has sufficient downbearing. The plate and soundboard can be refinished while the plate is out of the piano. It is advisable to refinish the case at the same time. However, a piano does not have to be refinished to be considered rebuilt.
When the plate is removed, the action (key and hammer assembly) is also removed. Action rebuilding may not be necessary. Often only regulation (adjustment) is required. Hammers may need to be replaced or only voiced. Complete action rebuilding involves replacing and calibrating thousands of expensive parts. The older the piano, and the more use it has had, the more action work likely to be needed. This is a very gray area and the astute consumer will need to ask a lot of questions.
A piano that has been completely and properly (including action) rebuilt and refinished is likely to be as expensive as a new piano. Only a few technicians in any town are capable of doing this work, and they are likely to insist upon proper compensation for their work. It is important to be aware of the credentials of your technician, to be sure that he or she is capable. If you find a rebuilt piano that seems like a great deal, you can be reasonably sure that the work was not completely or properly done.
The greatest mistake a consumer can make is to attempt to save money by purchasing a piano and attempting to supervise the restoration themselves. They always spend more money and frustration than if they had just bought a proper piano at the start. They are almost never satisfied with the end result and almost never end up with an instrument worth what they paid. If you want a rebuilt piano, it is best to find one that has already been rebuilt, hire an independent expert to evaluate it and make a decision on its aesthetic appeal and cost relative to new instruments. Of course, if you have a family heirloom, you may well want to have it professionally restored or rebuilt.
A few rules of thumb:
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How come I have never heard of that brand?
How Can You Recognize a Private Label Piano? The easiest way to identify a private label brand is to do a Google search on the name. If you find only one or two dealers it is definitely a ’private label’. Sometimes, a few dealers in distant markets will share a brand name. The first sign, and a surefire giveaway, is that the brand name is not cast into the plate. Sometimes a plastic pattern of the brand name is glued to the plate before painting. A close look will reveal that the letters have too fine an edge to have been cast in a mold. Every piano manufacturer casts the name of their brand on pianos they are proud to sell. You can also check the Pierce Piano Atlas. If the name is not recorded, or if the company went out of business 50 years ago, it is a ‘Private Label’ piano. A fancy decal with a German sounding name on the fallboard does not make a piano better. It just makes it easier to sell.
Some factories will even sell ‘Blanks’, pianos with no identification; if a dealer is not prepared to commit to a container. These dealers create their own decals for the fallboard or purchase decals from others. As you can see, anyone can put any name on any piano for about $8.00. This is not illegal or immoral. It is just deceptive.
So, why not buy a private label piano if the price is low enough? These are not the best pianos, or even the second best pianos coming out of that factory. The factory offers no warranty and sometimes won’t even acknowledge manufacture. Finding parts for the piano in a generation will be a difficult task, as it is today for ‘Private Label’ pianos of previous generations. Furthermore, the dealers selling these pianos may not be around to service them, or even answer questions, about them in later years.
Usually ‘Private Label’ pianos are offered by medium sized dealers who can’t obtain a major line, or internet sellers branding a low end import. The math and logistics just don’t work. It just can't be a good piano or a good value. These sellers don’t have enough clout or volume to deal with the best factories and don’t have any recourse if there is a problem. If you are considering one of these pianos, find out which factory manufactures it and ask a lot of questions. Like for instance, who will actually honor the warranty.
If price (as opposed to value) is the most important consideration in your selection, and you have decided to purchase a private label piano, we recommend Costco. Costco's private label brand is as good as anyone else's and you will have the peace of mind of knowing that you can return the piano to Costco if you are unhappy. _________________________________________
What is the Steinway Piano Society?
Founded in 1997, the Steinway Piano Society of Southwest Florida is dedicated to the advancement of young pianists. The mission of the Society is to stimulate and nourish the musical talent of young people and to enhance the arts in our community.
The Society hosts an annual piano Competition for children between the ages of 6 and 18, where winners are awarded scholarship prizes to continue their musical endeavors. Additionally, more than $10,000 have been awarded in scholarships to winners of the Southwest Florida Young Artists' Piano Competition, Naples Music Club, Florida Gulf Coast University Scholars' Club and other area programs. The Society also provides need-based tuition assistance to make music study possible for area elementary school students.
In addition, the Society offers special musical events for members featuring several renown artists.
For more information on the Piano Society click here. _________________________________________
How can I find a good piano teacher?
Whether you purchase a digital piano, upright, or grand, we maintain a directory of the finest music education professionals to help you play it. Our "Treasured Teachers" specialize in a variety of classes for both children and adults; including those who teach part time and even University Professors.
Studies have shown that children who learn to play a keyboard instrument are more likely to excel in virtually every facet of their scholastic pursuits. Steinway Piano Gallery recognizes the importance of this 'early learning tool' and of the wonderful world of discovery that music can bring to a child's development. That's why we offer a complete directory to help you find the perfect teacher for your child no matter what their ability level.
To learn more and meet our Piano Teachers, simply click here. _________________________________________
There are only three reasons a good piano will go out of tune:
Strings stretch. Strings stretch throughout the life of the piano. The older the strings, the less flexible they become. When piano wire is new it has irregularities in its diameter. As it stretches, the diameter becomes more uniform, producing better tone because the overtones rings more precisely. Therefore, a new piano requires more tuning. Experts recommend four tunings the first year and twice a year thereafter. Not tuning a piano this often will not damage the piano, it will just delay the time until the piano reaches its tonal potential.
Soundboards move. Even good spruce soundboards have cellular matter between the grains. These areas take on humidity in the summer, causing the board to swell. Because the board is crowned, additional tension is forced on the strings causing them to go "sharp," or up in pitch. Additionally, the increased tension may cause the tuning pins to slip or the string to sit on a new spot at the bridge pins. In the winter, when the humidity is reduced, the board shrinks, resulting in an out-of-tune piano. If you live in a tropical area that is always humid, or a desert that is always dry, your piano will be more stable with regard to its tuning. The tighter the grain of the soundboard, the less susceptible it will be to changes in humidity. Air conditioning and furnace humidifiers will help, but will not completely eliminate the effects of seasonal changes in humidity.
Tuning pins slip. If the wood holding the tuning pins (called the 'pinblock' or 'wrestplank') has dried out and constricted, the tuning pins will not be able to hold the proper tension on the string and the pitch will go flat shortly or immediately after tuning. This problem is only correctable by replacing the pinblock. Moving a piano with loose pins may cause it to go out of tune, but the problem wasn't caused by moving. It was caused by the defect in the piano.
Any piano that can't hold its tuning through a normal move should be avoided.
Note: Defective pianos can have tuning problems related to other causes. _________________________________________
Should I rent a piano or buy a keyboard for my kids to start lessons?
Steinway Piano Gallery rents piano daily, weekly, seasonally and for students. To rent a piano daily for an event in Collier or Lee counties please E-Mail us or call the Gallery (239) 498-9884.
We also rent pianos for home use, seasonally and long term. Educators agree that playing a "good quality" piano gives students a much better opportunity for success. Understandably, many parents are reluctant to make an investment in a fine instrument until they have a reasonable expectation that their children will proceed with lessons and have a positive musical experience. It is a "Catch 22" situation. Our rental program is designed specifically to address this dilemma.
To learn more about our rental program click here. _________________________________________
Top 10 reasons not to buy a piano on the internet! 1. There are no quality new pianos for sale on the internet. None of the major manufacturers (Steinway, Baldwin, Yamaha, Pearl River, Story & Clark, SMC) will allow their pianos to be sold that way. All you end up with is a phone number for someone else's local “dealer” who will charge you additional shipping costs to get you a piano he can't service. 2. There is a net shortage of nice used pianos. Dealers use eBay to get rid of pianos that they do not want to sell locally. Any dealer who has a nice used piano can find plenty of local buyers. Therefore, if you find a deal that sounds too good to be true, it is probably not true. 3. The best dealers don’t sell on the web. If you do purchase a piano online, in all likelihood, it will either be a gray market or private label piano. In both cases, you could probably buy it for less locally. 4. Even a “bargain” will cost more in the long run. You must take into account the additional costs of appraisal, inspection and freight. Best case scenario: you find a quality instrument from a trustworthy seller for a reasonable price. The transaction will still cost more than if you were to purchase the same piano locally. It is almost impossible to move a piano “door to door”, interstate for less that $1,500. This is 25% of a cheap grand and 50% of a cheap upright, so the economics only make sense for hight quality pianos, which you won’t find on the web because their manufacturers won’t allow them to be sold on the web. 5. A piano should be bought from someone who can service it after the sale is made. Pianos need service their entire lives, and you should buy it from someone who is prepared to service it. A piano contains over 8000 parts that all work together to create touch and tone. Wood is a delicate material which moves and changes over time. A local piano dealer will be there to fine tune and adjust your instrument, both before and after the sale. 6. Internet piano buyer scams. The convenience of the internet has spawned new opportunities for scam artists. Credit card fraud, identity theft and international scams are constantly evolving. Although misrepresentation is a compelling reason not to purchase a piano on the internet, there are even bigger things to worry about, such as making sure the piano and seller actually exist. 7. You need to play it first! There is no way to remotely ascertain the touch, feel and sound of a piano. 8. Buying a piano is not a task to be taken lightly. Buying a piano in general can be a demanding task. Buying a piano on the internet- sight unseen- can be downright frightening. The major factor determining the value of a used piano is its condition, and it is impossible to determine the condition of a piano from a picture. 9. Warranty. If you purchase a piano from a private party, the warranty will most likely be non-transferable. A local dealer will not only include a warranty, but also skilled technicians who can uphold it. 10. The greatest joy in life is the gift of music. The internet is a more convenient way to shop for lots of other things, but most people keep their piano for a lifetime, so you should not be in a hurry to make such an important purchase from a seller who may not actually deliver. _________________________________________
New vs. Old Pianos There have been great, mediocre and terrible pianos manufactured in the last 100 years. Age is not a reliable indicator of quality. The best pianos ever built are built today. Virtually all concert halls, recording studios and broadcast facilities either have late model pianos or are working to acquire new ones. All of the technologies involved in building a piano, especially wood curing and processing and metallurgy, have improved over the past 100 years. There are some fine older instruments, but they are not better than the best pianos built today.
Pianos are 80 percent wood, and therefore are subject to the effects of moisture over time. In the dry climates they shrink, in the humid climates they mold and rust, and in the snow belt they shrink in the winter and swell in the summer, causing cracking and warping. The action, or mechanical part of the piano, is subject to wear.
However, there are many cases where a good used piano is better than a lesser grade new piano. The critical elements are:
Rebuilt Pianos A piano that has been properly rebuilt may offer performance close to that of a new piano. Unfortunately, most rebuilt pianos have not been properly rebuilt. Rebuilding is required when the pinplank dries out and constricts, causing the tuning pins to become loose and rendering the piano untunable. The pinplank is a multilaminated plank of wood about 2-1/2 inches in depth - behind the plate in an upright piano and under the plate in a grand piano - in to which the tuning pins are driven. There is no other proper repair for this condition, and the plate must be removed to replace the pinplank. If the plate hasn't been removed, the piano hasn't been rebuilt.
While the plate is out, the soundboard can be repaired if necessary. It is usually not necessary or advisable to replace the soundboard if it still has sufficient downbearing. The plate and soundboard can be refinished while the plate is out of the piano. It is advisable to refinish the case at the same time. However, a piano does not have to be refinished to be considered rebuilt.
When the plate is removed, the action (key and hammer assembly) is also removed. Action rebuilding may not be necessary. Often only regulation (adjustment) is required. Hammers may need to be replaced or only voiced. Complete action rebuilding involves replacing and calibrating thousands of expensive parts. The older the piano, and the more use it has had, the more action work likely to be needed. This is a very gray area and the astute consumer will need to ask a lot of questions.
A piano that has been completely and properly (including action) rebuilt and refinished is likely to be as expensive as a new piano. Only a few technicians in any town are capable of doing this work, and they are likely to insist upon proper compensation for their work. It is important to be aware of the credentials of your technician, to be sure that he or she is capable. If you find a rebuilt piano that seems like a great deal, you can be reasonably sure that the work was not completely or properly done.
The greatest mistake a consumer can make is to attempt to save money by purchasing a piano and attempting to supervise the restoration themselves. They always spend more money and frustration than if they had just bought a proper piano at the start. They are almost never satisfied with the end result and almost never end up with an instrument worth what they paid. If you want a rebuilt piano, it is best to find one that has already been rebuilt, hire an independent expert to evaluate it and make a decision on its aesthetic appeal and cost relative to new instruments. Of course, if you have a family heirloom, you may well want to have it professionally restored or rebuilt.
A few rules of thumb:
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