what's the lure of the bosendorfer?

[gerry]

Does anyone else but me think that we ought to retire this subject and put a moratorium on it for at least a year? By now we all sort of know what each other thinks (I'm referring to those among us who think.) Each thread seems to start out with a somewhat unique post or question but it all too soon morphs into a Steinway vs Bosendorfer rant and no minds are changed--at least not mine.

[thalberg]

Does anyone else but me think that we ought to retire this subject and put a moratorium on it for at least a year? By now we all sort of know what each other thinks (I'm referring to those among us who think.) Each thread seems to start out with a somewhat unique post or question but it all too soon morphs into a Steinway vs Bosendorfer rant and no minds are changed--at least not mine.

I agree.  Though actually, my mind is constantly changed by the arguments.  When I hear Fiore talk, I want a Bosie.  Yet even though I had my horrible experience with my Steinway B, there are still some wonderful ones out there.  I just played one in the wealthy neighborhood nearby.  Unfortunately it was in an art case (black with carved legs and carved music rack), which meant they wanted $94,000 for it (!!!).  Yet Bosies do have such a nice sound.  If I were rich, I think I'd have one of each. 

Meanwhile, I do agree with gerry about the moratorium. 

Let's discuss this instead--should a piano be worth an extra $30,000 just because the legs and music rack are carved into a more interesting shape?   

Yes, and also---I met a rich guy who paid a visit to  Steinway and they saw he had tons of money and convinced him to buy an artcase steinway--more elaborate than the black one I just mentioned, it had carvings all over it.  Anyway, this guy ended up paying $114,000 for a Steinway B!!!  Imagine that--for a 7-foot piano!  Am I the only one who thinks they ripped this guy off?  I mean, if I had that kind of money I'd want a D because they are so far superior, especially in a huge house like this guy has.  He's really proud of it though and likes to talk about how he has the "anniversary edition."  Poor guy......that probably does actually matter more to him than the extra two feet.  It's probably a perfect conversation piece for his guests while they play Yanni in the background.....

[thalberg]

Just to get some gasps, here's the retail price list for Bosies.

https://www.bluebookofpianos.com/bosendor.htm

I was surpirsed to run across it.

As in my "financially impossible thread" I will once again say on a professional pianist's salary, this will never happen.  I seriously think the government should just buy pianos for professional pianists who have proven that they are contributing to society.  Ha, I know that's ridiculous.   

[gerry]

As I posted back in July during a similar thread--I'm not rich, just lucky I guess. I bought back in 1969 just before the prices started going ballistic. The actual sticker price for my 225 was $9,350 before I bargained it down another $1,000! About 5 years of $150/month and it was mine. Like you and many others, I could never even think of buying one now. In fact, I'd probably be joining forces with those complaining about their being overpirced. About those art cases, they are more expensive to begin with but many don't hold their value in resale as well as the classic ebony because they have a "furniture" aspect. I have to laugh at the $79,000 Louis XV surcharge. I'd love to spend a few hours on that Porsche model though!

[sassafras]

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[prongated]

Does anyone else but me think that we ought to retire this subject and put a moratorium on it for at least a year? By now we all sort of know what each other thinks (I'm referring to those among us who think.) Each thread seems to start out with a somewhat unique post or question but it all too soon morphs into a Steinway vs Bosendorfer rant and no minds are changed--at least not mine.

...possibly a new thread somewhat related to this?

I played on an old Bosie once...very very warm tone - so perfect for works like Schumann/Liszt Widmung. The melody and the accompaniment worked harmoniously naturally, whereas on a Shigeru Kawai I have to constantly restrain myself to get a similar kind of sound - the one I normally play on is just soo bright!

But also, with Shigerus the action is so tactile such that playing fast notes is a treat. I can take the scherzando of Chopin's Ballade 1 faster without losing clarity than I could on Yamahas (namely, a 1950s CS)

...so um, just wondering if such thread has been done before...i.e. how would you change the way you play on different pianos? 'Managing' pianos the pianist has never played on, after all, is something s/he must be able to cope with - competitions, concerts, whatever...

[iumonito]

As I posted back in July during a similar thread--I'm not rich, just lucky I guess. I bought back in 1969 just before the prices started going ballistic. The actual sticker price for my 225 was $9,350 before I bargained it down another $1,000! About 5 years of $150/month and it was mine. Like you and many others, I could never even think of buying one now. In fact, I'd probably be joining forces with those complaining about their being overpirced. About those art cases, they are more expensive to begin with but many don't hold their value in resale as well as the classic ebony because they have a "furniture" aspect. I have to laugh at the $79,000 Louis XV surcharge. I'd love to spend a few hours on that Porsche model though!

Wow, That was cheap.  Sounds like what the price should be.

[gerry]

Judging from your past postings, I don't perceive you as one of the Bosie haters so I'll take that remark not in the spirit of that's what it's worth but that it should be that price so more could afford one. I hope I'm correct.