Which is a better value? Steinway Model A or B

[jam8086]

I'm going to need to get a piano for myself eventually when I graduate from college, and I definitely want a Steinway.  From the research I've done, it seems that the most practical pianos for a home are 6-7 feet.  However, Steinway produces two pianos in this range, the Model A "Parlor Grand," which is 6'2", and the Model B "Music Room Grand," which is 6'10".  I have not, however, found a quote for both of these pianos, so if anybody knows the approximate prices (new or used, but please specify, and in US currency would be the most helpful) of these models, please share them!  I would imagine that the larger Model B would be much more expensive than the Model A, but my question is is the extra 8 inches worth the extra price, or is it something absolutely ridiculous like another $30,000 for really not that much better quality?

Thank you!

[merlin_emrys]

I believe the difference in price is closer to 10K.  But the B will need a larger space than the A, in terms of both size and volume of sound.

I purchased the A because my music room is only 13'7" x 13', although it has a 9' ceiling made of rough-cut pine boards.  It has more than sufficient sound and dynamic range for my needs, and is a very wonderful instrument.

-merlin

[gfiore]

  Model A is $58,000 new
  Mobel B is $68,000 new
 The model B has superior bass response compared to the A.

[jam8086]

But the B will need a larger space than the A, in terms of both size and volume of sound.

You're right, I forgot to think about how much space will be needed for sound quality, not just size.

So now another question...is the Model B too big/impractical for a normal sized home? (I'm more concerned about sound quality with this question, not just space)

[gfiore]

 A piano can be voiced to suit a room, and a room can also be voiced to suit a piano. I have a 7 foot Bösendorfer in a 22'x18' room, and there's no problem with sound quality. I have clients with 9 foot concert grands in smaller rooms than mine, and there is no problem concerning quality of sound. The larger grands have actions that are more sensitve, and have more control over  pianissimo and forte playing.

[Waldszenen]

You may have heard that it's always best to purchase the biggest piano that you can afford or that is practical in terms of space. In terms of the Models A and B, there's a big price jump from A to B and not much difference between the two (at least in my opinion). Models A, B, C and D are all the best concert grands of Steinway and they vary very little other than volume and depth. Stick with the A.

[arensky]

You may have heard that it's always best to purchase the biggest piano that you can afford or that is practical in terms of space. In terms of the Models A and B, there's a big price jump from A to B and not much difference between the two (at least in my opinion). Models A, B, C and D are all the best concert grands of Steinway and they vary very little other than volume and depth. Stick with the A.

I agree. My "A" is more powerful and has a deeper bass than many "B"'s I've played, and no "B" is more powerful than it. When do they start making the "C" again? Probably the best post 1880 grand piano model made anywhere at any time.

LOL the American Steinway people, after years of touting the "new" models "L" and "M" to the detriment of the "A" and "O" are abandoning them. Needing to consolidate the factory system between the USA and Germany the American division has had to eat it's words,  and swallow their pride. The Germans never messed with a good thing; to the best of my knowledge they never stopped making the "A" and the "O", while the Americans were trying to improve sucsess, the Germans stuck to the original formula. And when the chips are down and you need to streamline/consolidate, the original designs are the ones that prevail.

Ah is proven right, to the ire of many a pesky salesman who extolled to me the virtues of "the superior modern manufacturing techniques" used in the newer American Steinways. They would always get angry/touchy when I would disagree... but now, the proof is out. And my old "A" is worth more now! Not that it's for sale... 

[wzkit]

Arensky, knowing that you're a fan of both the Sauter Delta and the Shigeru Kawais, how would you compare them with your Steinway "A". In what ways are they different (and not just better/'worse?). I'm curious, because I've never played a Steinway "A" myself.

[arensky]

Arensky, knowing that you're a fan of both the Sauter Delta and the Shigeru Kawais, how would you compare them with your Steinway "A". In what ways are they different (and not just better/'worse?). I'm curious, because I've never played a Steinway "A" myself.

Wow that's a tough question. I like them all. I will rate them 1,2,3 in different areas of piano quality. BTW the only Shigeru I've played was a 7' or 7' 4", the equivalent of a Steinway "C", and the only Sauter was about 6', equivalent to my "A"

POWER: Steinway "A"/Sauter/Shigeru. My Steinway is almost as powerful as a Steinway "D". It is an extraordinary instrument in this respect. Other "A"'s I have played have this powerful sound also, but not all.


TONE: Tie between Steinway and Sauter, Shigeru 3rd.  This is very difficult to judge, because this is the area where I get tough with judging pianos. The Shigeru has a beautiful tone, but it is thinner and less dense than the Steinway and Sauter tone. Also the Sauter I played was brand new. My "A" was 78 years old when I first had it; the sounding board broke irreperably 3 years later, and the piano was rebuilt (new sounding board, action, agraffes, external refinishing and tuning pins (not the pin block) by A&C Piano Craft in New York. However it sounds basically the same, the essential "vox" or voice of the instrument is the same. The Steinway and Sauter tie in this area; they are different in their tone and projection; they are both complex and multi-colored, the Steinway is more brilliant and powerful, the Sauter is more subtle.  I think it's individual preference at this point. The Shigeru tone is very beautiful, but can't compare to these instruments in this area.

ACTION: Sauter/Shigeru/Steinway "A". My piano's  action is non-accelearated, as the guy at A&C  said "This is a recreation of your original action, using new Japanese parts" , whatever the hell that meant.    I am not happy with the way my piano's "engine" has worked out, it was great at first but now it's repetition is poor. I intend to replace it's action in the future with a Renner action or with whatever Steinway is putting into the "new" "A"'s. Regarding the other two pianos, the Sauter had more depth and variety of touch, the Shigeru was easier to play but it seemed shallow in comparison to the Sauter, which seemed to have five dimensions of touch sensitivity. Playing that piano was a sensual experience. The others were gorgeous too, but the Sauter produces an unbelievable variety of tone and texture, with sufficient resistance (I like that, not every pianist does). Sauter and Shigeru both employ a Renner or Renner type action, if I recall correctly.And the Shigeru played like a dream,  almost too easily. I think we've discussed this elsewhere...

What else is there? Let me know, I will adress it...

[wzkit]

Wow..great answer. I very much appreciate your taking the effort to answer this difficult question. I think I would agree with you completely on the comparisons of touch/tone of the Shigerus vs the Sauter. Both are very different, but very attractive instruments, with the Shigeru being easier to play (I have a preference for lighter actions), but perhaps less interesting tonally.

Another aspect about the Sauter tone is that its power comes from it is cleaner and more penetrating tone. The Shigeru's power comes from its incredible resonance and overtones. The new Sauters I have heard tend to be even more brilliant sounding than Steinways, in part maybe because they use harder Abel hammers (the old ones used Renners). I tend to think Steinways have a warmer and less penetrating sound compared to the new Sauters.

Perhaps you should try the new Sauters if you have a chance..the design might have changed somewhat in recent years.

[iumonito]

Jam, in that class, I like the O better.  A and B are, in my opinion, simply sorry pianos.  I have not played one I liked yet.

You say you want a Steinway and one you shall have.  My humble opinion, though, is that by closing out other better cheaper pianos you are doing a diservice to yourself and leaving money on the table.

Should you explore other makes, Kawai, August Foerster and Irmler are excellent in the 7' class.  You roughly can buy two of these for the price of an equivalent Steinway (which in my opinion is not as good as a piano, regardless of price).  Mason & Hamlin BB as well, although the price difference is less dramatic (about 3 for the price of 2).

[mautique]

I realized that it is an old thread but I had exactly the same question in mind two months ago when I was choosing among several new model As and Bs. The As go for about $70,000 and the Bs are at $81,000. I went in leaning toward buying an A, thinking that it is cheaper and would fit better to my room but after about 30 minutes I realized that the Bs are worth the extra $$. While the A is a very good piano, the Bs that I played are so much closer in feel and tone  to the D that I knew then that I had to go with a B, especially that it may well be the last piano I will ever buy. It also turns out to fit my room quite well acoustically. My wife thought that it is not that much louder than my old M but it certainly has a much larger dynamic and color range.

[richard black]

Yes, there's something about the size of soundboard and/or length of string you get in a B-size piano which makes the sound disproportionately more satisfying than in an A. I've got an ancient Bechstein V - equivalent to a B in modern model naming - and there's no WAY I'd consider swapping it for a smaller piano, even though it takes up nearly half my room. Well, actually maybe a Fazioli as they seem uniquely good at getting a big piano sound out of a small case, but only that.

[musikmeister]

Hi all,

My name is Lauriejeanne and I just signed up. Looking forward to good conversation and learning a few things from you all. I have a quick question and it is related to the subject of this post. I live in SoCal and a piano company is being bought out by another...they are offering discounts on the A as well as B models...what would be a good price for a new A model?

Thanks,

Lauriejeanne

[iansinclair]

Very interesting question -- and all of the above comments have merit.  It often comes down to the individual instrument (which, at that price range, you most assuredly should try!).  That said, there is a difference between the A and the B Steinways, and it isn't just the length.  It is the exact scaling (length vs. diameter/weight) of the strings.  In many ways the A is closer in overall scale to the concert grand D than the B is, oddly enough.  I have heard it said, by quite reputable technicians and fine pianists, that the A has perhaps the best balanced scale and hence overall tone of all the Steinways.  But the effect would be really subtle -- and could easily be overwhelmed by the variations between individual instruments.

Disclaimer: I happen to own and play daily an 1898 Steinway A!

[keys60]

Arensky.

I know the owner of AC Pianocraft in NY. We attend the same Guild meetings. He does beautiful work. Glad to see him mentioned it this thread. I missed out on a beautiful A that he restored at a great price. Dang!

[rocklandpiano]

Model B


It’s a wonderfully balanced and versatile piano that does extremely well in intimate settings, teaching studios, and mid-sized venues.
Today, more than 98 percent of the world’s active concert pianists choose to perform on Steinway pianos. The joy of playing and owning a Steinway piano, however, is not the exclusive domain of the virtuosi. Rather, it is a world open to all who share a love of music, fine craftsmanship and enduring quality.

[withindale]

Great description, Rockland. You should have been a copywriter!