What's wrong with Boston pianos?

[iumonito]

I didn't want to highjack the conversation about the P22 upright, but there it was asked what was the basis for saying that Boston pianos are not well made.

I am not a fan of Bostons, although I would characterize it as crappy design rather than crappy design execution.

In my opinion, Bostons are too expensive for what they are, mass produced Asian-made pianos made of soft woods and with bare-bones design.  The nice big soundboard aspires, unsuccessfully, to resemble and old Chickering, but the absence of hard wood in the rim and a somewhat light plate explain to me why the sound of these pianos lacks sustain and immediacy.

I much rather the bold and modern design of their Kawai brethren, which as far as I know are actually cheaper.

Comments?

[arensky]

Kawai is cleverly subverting Steinway with these pieces of dreck.

I think you're absolutely right, they sound like s$%t and have a weak wussy tone that doesn't sustain and they don't hold tune for a ***. Utter garbage. 

Just buy a real Kawai, they are actually good instruments!

Ah, to have a Shigeru Kawai... oh well, have a beautiful Steinway A, but it's nice to dream....

[tompilk]

I practise on a Boston for my piano lessons - I love it!!! I don't know why people don't like them. They're great for playing my Scarlatti Sonata for my Grade 8 ABRSM. I really like it.

[sonatainfsharp]

I loved the Boston studio uprights I used in college, but I couldn't stand the Boston grand we used.

I was looking to upgrade my piano at home and I fell in love with a Boston performance upright, but again, I couldn't find any grands that I liked.

It isn't the sound, really, it is just the touch and action that I can't stand.

[classicarts]

I loved the Boston studio uprights I used in college, but I couldn't stand the Boston grand we used.

I was looking to upgrade my piano at home and I fell in love with a Boston performance upright, but again, I couldn't find any grands that I liked.

It isn't the sound, really, it is just the touch and action that I can't stand.

I would have to agree with sonatainfsharp.  I tried Boston grands on couple of occasions, just didnt like the feel and the touch.   It felt cheap, too mechanical to me.