Steinway Upright - Is it worth buying?

[pianodude]

All,

I am thinking of buying a Steinway upright. In the past, I had Yamaha U1. However, after playing on my friend's upright Steinway, I really like this piano. It sounds warmer and the action is much better than Yamaha U1 or even Yamaha Grand C5.

Could anybody here give your experience with Steinway upright?

Thanks in advance.
Ron

[wynnbear]

Could anybody here give your experience with Steinway upright?

Thanks in advance.
Ron

Are you thinking new or used, and do you have a particular model in mind?  I've heard very good comments on the K52.  Steinway made some changes that have made them easier to tune and service, so technicians are having better opinions as well.  Older ones will not have the upgrades and tuners have a hard time with the tuning pins. 

Other than those remarks, I'd say, like any Steinway, you have to make the price / value decision that's best for you .  Many think that Steinway makes instruments that can be great, but that are poorly prepared when they arrive at the dealer, and that are very expensive for how they perform.  Others love them, and wouldn't have anything else.  That part of the question is up to you.

[tosca1]

I tried a brand new one in a showroom recently. I am not sure which model it was. It was perfection. A beautifully balanced, warm, even tone over the whole piano and the bass was rich and powerful. The touch was highly responsive  and it was simply a glorious piano.  You should consider that for the same price you could buy a new Schimmel 6' grand or an even longer top class Japanese grand piano.
Kind regards,
Robert.

[richard w]

If you are specifically after a top-of-the range upright, have a look at Steingraeber before choosing. If you can, compare side by side with the Steinway. I'm not sure of costs for either make currently, but when I was buying a new piano some years ago Steingraeber was less expensive, and there those who would say better. I've never compared side by side, so I can't give my own verdict.

[Rich D.]

The Steinway K52 is a fine upright, but also quite expensive.  Unless your totally committed to buying a Steinway upright there are a number of other uprights of equal or IMHO better quality than Steinway and are worth checking out.  Four that come to mind which are my personal favorites are August Forster (49"), Mason & Hamlin (50"), Bechstein Concert 8 (wow in my book!) and the large Grotrian upright.  They are all expensive but probably not as much as a new Steinway K52.  Good luck.

[Axtremus]

Dude,

If you're seriously thinking about buying a piano -- play lots and lots of different pianos before you decide. Don't lock yourself into any particular brand on the outset. Just play, play, play, and play some more without prejudice, then decide. Unless you genuinely needs a new piano like right now, there is really no need to rush to buy one. So take it slow, shop thoroughly, figure out for yourself what you really really want from a piano and prioritize accordingly, and enjoy the process.

Good luck.

[Hmoll]

Dude,

If you're seriously thinking about buying a piano -- play lots and lots of different pianos before you decide. Don't lock yourself into any particular brand on the outset. Just play, play, play, and play some more without prejudice, then decide. Unless you genuinely needs a new piano like right now, there is really no need to rush to buy one. So take it slow, shop thoroughly, figure out for yourself what you really really want from a piano and prioritize accordingly, and enjoy the process.

Good luck.

Dude,  ^^^^^ What he said.

That said, I absolutely hate Steinway verticals. There is nothing about them that justifies the prices they ask.

Look at and play a lot of other pianos. If you want to spend Steinway prices for a vertical, at least look at the Beckstein and Grotrians. If your budget is more limited 8K-14K vs 20k-30k, look at Schultz-Pollmann (sp), and Mason & Hamlins. Don't stop there. Pleyel, Estonia, etc., as well.

[Piazzo22]

It just depends on the country you´re buying it.  If it´s USA go for it!
Other countries steinway´s prices are ridiculous, considering there are much brands of the same quality at lower prices.

[Axtremus]

It just depends on the country you´re buying it.  If it´s USA go for it!
Other countries steinway´s prices are ridiculous, considering there are much brands of the same quality at lower prices.

Ummm...... Hmoll was giving his "USA-perspective" above. 

[Hmoll]

Ummm...... Hmoll was giving his "USA-perspective" above. 

Meaning they are still overpriced for what you're getting in the US, as well.