Excluding 9' grands,, I'd go with the Steinway 'B' -- fairly priced,, sounds/looks beautiful. Perfect for home, fits just right,, not too big, and not too small. 9 out of 10 concert pianist go with Steinway,, if its good for them,, it will be good for you...
Hilarious! You have been brainwashed by the advertising industry, or you work for Steinway...Your 9 out of 10 statistics is absolutely wrong!
Even if it was right, saying that 9 out of 10 of pianists go with Steinway, therefore it's good for you is as valid as saying 9 out of 10 computer users use MS Windows
Actually, I thought the same when I was young, still easily impressionable and inexperienced. To be very provocative: I would say, those who believe that Steinway makes the "best" pianos has never seen a really good one. I have seen a few well-regulated Steinways, but once I played on a high-end Bosendorfer, it was clear to me that I would never touch a Steinway again if I didn't have to. Don't get me wrong, Steinway can make good pianos, or let's say, pianos that appeal to some people, but finding a good Steinway is a quest in itself.
only 1 out of 10 Steinways is worth considering (because of the current affairs of quality control), so plan on travelling a lot before you shell out $100K.
"Not surprisingly, Steinway remains the choice of 9 out of 10 concert artists."see for yourself : https://www.steinway.com/steinway/crown_jewel_collection.shtmlI dont think Steinway needs to falsify this. Its like 'McDonald's' Billion served ad,, is that fake? its all over McDonalds website..
I never said Steinway is the best or anything (you're putting words in my mouth),, I just said its perferred by classical pianists to use in their concerts.
Thats why I said "if its good for them, it will be good for you",, thats just a pitch,,in other words: "you cannot go wrong" and thats a fact. Also when I go to concerts here at the hollywood bowl (and i've gone to many),, its always a Steinway, never a bose, yam, kawai, faz, etc ,, when you watch the ARTs channel,, all the classical pieces are played on Steinways, rarely something else. -- there shouldn't be any argument...
"Not surprisingly, Steinway remains the choice of 9 out of 10 concert artists."see for yourself : https://www.steinway.com/steinway/crown_jewel_collection.shtml
Hilarious! You have been brainwashed by the advertising industry, or you work for Steinway...Your 9 out of 10 statistics is absolutely wrong! Even if it was right, saying that 9 out of 10 of pianists go with Steinway, therefore it's good for you is as valid as saying 9 out of 10 computer users use MS Windows or 9 out of 10 people eat at MacDonalds, therefore it is good for you.Actually, I thought the same when I was young, still easily impressionable and inexperienced. To be very provocative: I would say, those who believe that Steinway makes the "best" pianos has never seen a really good one. I have seen a few well-regulated Steinways, but once I played on a high-end Bosendorfer, it was clear to me that I would never touch a Steinway again if I didn't have to. Don't get me wrong, Steinway can make good pianos, or let's say, pianos that appeal to some people, but finding a good Steinway is a quest in itself. To use another statistics, only 1 out of 10 Steinways is worth considering (because of the current affairs of quality control), so plan on travelling a lot before you shell out $100K.
Would you be one of those people that would choose to go to the Juilliard School over Manhattan School of Music?
If you can afford one (upright or grand) Bosendorfer is by far a better sound and sturdy action in my opinion than any Steinway. Ive performed on quite a few Steinways (B,C and D), but I love the Bosendorfer. Good pianos are German in my opinion (and no Im not German!). You also get and extra note (bottom A ) on the Bosendorfer which is essential for one Ravel piece (jeu d'eux I think?). Andras Schiff takes his around with him.
SDL - only the larger models have the extra notes. Jeux d'eau begs for the g# below the bottom A, although I believe Ravel wrote in the A (he probably composed it on his adorable Pleyel). At any rate, I have 3 editions of jeux d'eau and they all show the A. (measure 49). If I had a Bosendorfer Imperial, I'd learn jeux d'eau just to give that g# a try!!! iumonito - just curious, why don't you like the Bosendorfer?
Because the plate is barely attached to the rim, I find the instrument does not really resonate. This would explain why these humongous pianos sound like a clavichord. Ever tried to play Prokofiev or Bartok in one of these? Asco. They are wimpy.
I would take the Estonia over the Steinway. Dollar for dollar you get much more piano with the Estonia, and I hear that well preped they can be really nice. Are you thinking 168 or 190? Truly, I don't agree there are things you can do on an Steinway and not on an Estonia (except for becoming very poor).Although I played Estonias in New York a few months ago and was unimpressed, significantly the shop had brand new Mason & Hamlins (what a great piano, have you considered those?) and they did not have them playing at their full potential either. Estonias appear to be very well built (hard wood, good scale, things well fitted) and just need a little love in the voicing and a bit of tweaking here and there to turn out very nice. I am not sure I can say the same of Steinways (which get you so far behind with the money that you have nothing left for, for example, a Stanwood job).Sadly, I don't think Estonia makes my size (I like my pianos around 205 to 230 cm). I am planning on checking out some Estonias here in Maryland anyway, which I expect to be in much better shape than the ones in New York. I will keep you posted.Good luck with the shopping.
...Boston made by Steinway...
I think Steinway D (Hamburg) definitely. It's sound and possibilities are incredible.I think many pianists don't like playing on Steinways, because they're to perfectThey won't exuse you anything. Just perfect.I don't like Kawais - they are for weak pianists, who likes playning in as easy way as it's possible.Bechsteins are also gut, but sometimes they are to light.PS - I love Steinways. And I don't have anything incommom with this company.
Hi Kapelli,Welcome to the forum.
I see you have played Kawai and Bechstein. I wonder whether you have ever had a chance to play a good piano. For example, a Fazioli, Steingraeber or a Mason & Hamlin. Of course I don't mean the uprights or the smaller grand, but pianos bigger than 6 feet?
The newer [Steinways] are extremely variable, in my experience.
In regards to Steinway- yes, it would be wise to find one pre-1972, as I've also heard that their quality control went downhill around this time, at least stateside. I think they were bought out by another company.
What exactly is Renner action?