What are the best piano brands?There are a few piano builders who handcraft extraordinary instruments – grand pianos so well made that they have surpassed all others in performance and virtuosity. These best piano brands are lauded as Top Tier performance brands, infinitely higher quality than the mass-manufactured pianos with perhaps the more familiar sounding names. It stands to reason that these European pianos with artistic designs are proportionally more expensive, most coveted, and chosen by pianists who treasure excellence in both sound and art in a grand piano.A true connoisseur demands the piano’s musical magic under the lid but also to be reflected in the exterior case. A piano should satisfy the eye as well as the ear. With German origins dating back to 1853, the cannot be ignored.Bechstein makes two quality levels, the lower- priced “B” series that say only “Bechstein” on the fallboard, while the higher – priced line says “C.
Dec 07, 2011 Looking at kawai piano. I see a model number that says k8 and a serial number 105296. How do i verify the - Answered by a verified Musical Instrument Appraiser.
Bechstein instead. The company says that both lines are made in Germany, though for cost-effectiveness some parts of “Bechstein” and components may originate in the Czech Republic.The C. Bechstein cabinetry is much sleeker and more sophisticated than the B series. Bechstein plates receive the royal hand-rubbed finish; while the other plates are conventionally sprayed. When the two lines are compared side by side, there are differences in their sound quality and piano actions. Although the B-series pianos are, generally speaking, very good instruments with a slightly warmer default tone quality, the C. Bechstein models clearly outperform this less expensive line.Bechstein grands are impeccably made and are “orchestrally” voiced, a concept that the company says is related to the change of timbre at different velocities of touch.
Some unfamiliar of the brand customers might prematurely assume that the piano is voiced too bright for the American musical taste. However, many experts have had high praise for the wide dynamic range, tonal color, and responsive action of the redesigned 7’ 7” model C 234 grand as well as the new concert grand D 282. Voicing is a matter of overall piano design, and Bechstein artisans voice pianos at the factory to their tonal standard.
We believe that it should not be significantly altered. Some customers may still prefer the slightly warmer sound of the B-series grands (as opposed to the brighter but more pure European sound), which are also about half the price of the C. Bechstein models. Considered by many to be producing the best grand pianos of all times, offers a flawless reputation for performance quality, reliability, and a vast choice in customization elements. Fazioli enjoys an almost cult-like following amongst pianists.
Increasingly Fazioli is taking center stage, chosen by pianists for competitions, concerts and personal enjoyment.In 1978, concert pianist and engineer Paolo Fazioli began studying and refining pianos, with the object of making the absolute finest-quality instruments possible. There is no doubt that this manufacturer has surpassed the best of the best.
Now even the most famous piano makers of Western Europe and artists throughout the world recognize Paolo Fazioli’s accomplishment.Artists like Herbie Hancock, and professional classicists who are most familiar with, describe them as sources of inspiration with a wide color palette and dynamic range. The instruments combine unusual power with great warmth in a way that causes music played on them to dynamically unique to most other pianos. The ultimate luxury piano, the most unique piano and also one of the most expensive pianos is the newly unveiled – an artful combination of traditional ebony polish atop a curved metal belly balanced on a silver pedestal with leather inserts.Every Fazioli pianos is impeccably prepared at the factory, including very fine voicing — even perfect tuning of the duplex scales. When these instruments arrive after shipment from Italy, they do not have to be tuned by a dealer before delivery. That kind of stability and quality is next to non-existent in the piano industry. The Grotrian brand began as a partnership in 1853 between Friedrich Grotrian and C.F. Theodor Steinweg.
Theodor was the son of Heinrich Steinweg who in 1850 emigrated to the US and established the firm of Steinway & Sons. Theodor followed his father in 1865, selling his share of the Grotrian partnership to Wilhelm Grotrian, son of Friedrich. For generations it was a family run business until 2015 when a majority interest was sold to Parsons Music Group in Hong Kong Grotrian remains a Braunschweig, Germany product. 6 th Generation Grotrian family members are still involved in management. Are famous for the variety of finishes and styles in which they are available, many with intricate detail and inlay work. Customizing such rare woods as yew, burl walnut, pyramid mahogany, and genuine ebony in the cabinets, as well as special engravings, are available for any customer’s desire. Sauter’s M Line of vertical pianos features exclusive cabinet detailing and built-in features such as a hygrometer to measure relative humidity.
This year Sauter celebrates a 20 year relationship with renowned European designer Peter Maly, whose designs have resulted in several prestigious awards for the Sauter company. Using only high-grade woods, the latest technology and traditional craftsmanship, Kawai has succeeded in being noticed for all the right reasons with their Shigeru pianos. Heinrich Engelhardt Steinweg, from Seesen, Germany, emigrated with his family to the United States in 1850, and established Steinway & Sons in 1853. Responsible for patenting revolutionary changes to the grand piano, Steinway’s ideas would eventually be adopted or imitated by others. Some of these patents created a stronger frame, a richer sound, and a more sensitive action.
By the 1880s, the was already in most ways the modern piano we have today, and in the next generation the standards set by the founder were strictly followed.The underlying excellence of the Steinway musical designs and the integrity of the construction process are the hallmarks of the Steinway piano. Steinway pianos at their best have the quintessential American piano sound: a powerful bass, a resonant midrange, and a treble with tonal color. The construction process creates a very durable and rigid framework that also contributes to the power of its sound. Although the quality of Steinway grands fluctuates because of the many changes of the many ownership, Steinway has managed to hold on to market share. The 6′ 10½” Steinway model B is the favorite of many piano technicians.
It is a popular choice for the serious pianist, recording or teaching studio, or small recital hall. The 8′ 11¾” model D, the concert grand, is the flagship of the Steinway line and the piano of choice for the majority of concert pianist.
Steinway company has done an incredible job over the past decades signing up pianists to their roster. A Steinway artist is required to play on a Steinway grand piano during a performance (and also buy a Steinway piano), therefore many institutions don’t have a choice but to buy at least one Steinway grand for stage. We can’t talk about the best piano makers without highlighting one of the world’s best kept secrets, a company founded in 1852 by Eduard Steingraeber in the old part of Bayreuth, Germany (famous for the annual Wagner festival). An innovative designer, Eduard exhibited his first cast iron piano frame at the Paris world exhibition in 1867.
From 1872 on, his company was commissioned for pianos for Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner, and opened Bayreuth’s first concert hall in 1873.is one of the smaller handmade piano builders in the world, making fewer than 80 grands per year for the top end of the market. Today the sixth generation of Steingraebers hand make their outstanding instruments in the traditional ways at a factory they’ve occupied since 1872. Their three sizes of vertical pianos are also excellent, and their grands come in five sizes from 5’7” to 8’11” models. The smallest one, model A-170 has an unusually wide tail which accommodates a larger soundboard area and longer bass strings than usual for a baby grand.Steingraeber have a reputation for innovative technical improvements to the piano, introducing many unique features under the lid as well as a introducing the world’s lightest lid made of modern aircraft material with a honeycomb interior, nearly 50% lighter than conventional piano lids. They made a piano for the physically handicapped (who lack use of their legs,) as well as working with furniture designers for commissioned projects, and consulting with Pearl River in China toward the end of a new line of premium pianos. We are inclined to include a special group of in this compilation because of their popularity and acclaim by professional artists. The new CF Series, one of two Yamaha Premium Collection lines, comprises the 9′ model CFX (replacing model CFIIIS), and the 6′ 3″ model CF4 and 7′ model CF6.
The pianos in this collection are made in a separate factory to much higher standards and with some different materials than Yamaha’s economy lines,: e.g., maple and mahogany in the rim, which is made more rigid, for greater tonal power,; higher-grade soundboards, a treble “bell” (as in the larger Steinways) to enhance treble tone; German strings, and hammer and scaling changes, for a more mellow tone. The result is an instrument capable of greater dynamic range, tonal color, and sustain than the regular Yamahas. The new CF-series pianos have a thicker rim and more substantial structure than their predecessors.
The models CF4 and CF6 have an open pinblock design reminiscent of some European pianos, which gives the tuner slightly greater control over the tuning pins. Yamaha says that the CF series represents 19 years of research and development by its craftsmen, designers, and engineers. The Yamaha concert grand is endorsed and used by a number of notable musicians, including Olga Kern, Michael Tilson Thomas, Chick Corea, and Elton John. Euro Pianos Naples is a respected distributor of European luxury musical instruments. The company’s origin dates back to 1965. Euro Pianos represents world renowned brands such as Sauter, and it has recently become a manufacturer of its own acrylic instrument –.
Apart from being a successful retailer, consultant, and entrepreneur organization, Euro Pianos is actively engaged in the artistic and community life of Naples, Florida as an organizer and supporter of musical events throughout the years. Excellent list and write up. I’m glad you put them in alphabetical order because these are all choices of very fine pianos and it’s useless to try to discern a “best” as some try to do.
I think they’re all comparable. I agree, the C. Bechsteins are bright, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Faziolis are also bright. I just want to add that I know the Bosendorfer Imperial and some others have additional keys in the bass. However, the new VC series does not. And I like that series best of all Bosendorfer series.
It’s not quite as mellow as the older Bosendorfer design. They project quite well and have an “edge” to their tone.Tom May 26, 2019 @5:06 pm.
. Keyboard Condition: First, check each key at soft and loud volumes. None should be out of tune, muted, or silent.
If your piano is fairly in tune, keep an ear out for singular keys that are disproportionately off, or produce strange harmonics. You should also check the alignment of the keyboard and note any crookedness along the edges and in between keys.
Look for this horizontally at keyboard-level as well as from above. Of course, broken, stained, or chipped keys will diminish value; significantly so if they cannot be justified by the age of the instrument. Pedals: First, make sure you, then you can inspect them further. Are they rusted? Do they stick, go limp, or feel like they hit a “bump” when you depress them?
Age does not excuse these issues; upkeep is lacking if these problems are not addressed. Damage to the Wood Finish: Are there cracks or scratches on the? Has any of the wood warped or been sun-damaged? Even if a buyer is willing to refinish the piano, damage to the surface is often caused by elements that also harm the inside. If you’re unfamiliar with the interior parts, consider having them checked out if the exterior looks rough.
Finding the Piano’s Serial Number The serial number will be engraved on an interior metal plate located near the keys or on the pin block. On grand pianos, it may be hiding underneath the key slip. Contact a registered piano technician so that he/she can safely remove the necessary parts to access the serial code. Get the Manufacturer’s Name The name is often found on the front of the piano, just above or below the keyboard.
If these areas are blank, flip open the lid and look at the soundboard, or check behind an upright/underneath a grand. Determine the Date of Manufacture You may need to figure out your piano’s age before you can advance, but this is easily found once you have the info in steps 1 & 2 (sometimes the date is written on the soundboard next to the manufacturer, but this is uncommon). Some manufacturers—such as Yamaha—post this information online (type “serial” in the site’s search box if you’re lost), or it can be found in an updated version of the Pierce Piano Atlas.