Hi everyone, I am keen in getting information or advice on steinway boston 5'1" grand (model gp156). 1. Any experience (pros/cons) and an estimated fair price for this? I was being told that the regular retail price is USD 15000.2. Comparison to other similar grand size with other brands?
"Not sharing proportionally in the growth of the grand piano market and beset by much cheaper grands from Japan and Korea -- the "piano-shaped objects" to which Bruce Stevens (the then President of Steinway Musical Products) referred -- the strategy was to enter what would once have been called the "commercial" piano business."... a new piano to be made by Kawai and called "Boston"..."When queried on the identity of the designers, Bruce Stevens stated that they were the engineers in Astoria [Steinway headquater in Long Island, New York]; that none of these engineers had ever designed a piano before was candidly admitted. They had, however, taken a one-day scale design seminar from an outside consultant and were adept in the use of computers."
The pianos are marketed by Steinway and Sons and are given a 10 year warranty called the "Steinway Promise".
... I was recently in New York at Steinway Hall and found a beautiful Model B that I was (am) seriously considering. ...I'd think you should be able to get a new Boston GP156 for around $14,000. I'd probably recommend a bigger piano if at all possible. For around 15,000 you may be able to get a Kawai RX-1 (5'5") or RX-2 (5'10") or even my used Boston GP178 (5'10") .
Do you remember which one you liked (e.g., serial number or parts of it) ? I took down some notes while there. I might have tried "your" Model B.
Yeah, it was serial number 564894, with a couple of minor scratches and dings on the top of the lid near the back. ... I would be very interested if you had taken any notes about it, since I have until Thursday to decide whether or not to purchase it. If only they would take my Boston on trade...