People often ask me which brand of piano should I buy. Choosing the right one for your needs can be a real challenge. With so many new and used pianos out there, it makes good sense to educate yourself before looking around.
Pianos are produced from many countries worldwide. However, the majority of quality instruments come from Germany, Japan, and the United States. Arguably, there are makers of fine instruments from other countries and opinions vary widely.
Some people prefer the warmer, more rounded tone of American pianos from well known makers such as Steinway, Mason and Hamlin and Baldwin. Others may prefer a brighter, more focused sound found in Asian pianos from Yamaha, Kawai or Samick. And, others may want a distinctly European tone from fine manufacturers such as Bösendorfer, Schimmel, or Fazioli.
There are many new piano brands worth considering for purchase along with the many finely restored quality instruments found in the market today. The first consideration when buying a piano should be whether to buy new or used. Pianos can provide many decades of use if properly cared for. Given the cost savings and overall durability of quality used instruments, it makes good sense to strongly consider buying a well cared for piano. Next, consider brand. And finally, consider and evaluate the individual instrument.
An excellent source of information regarding both new and used pianos is the well known book entitled “The Piano Book” by Larry Fine. This book is well worth owning as it contains lots of great information about how pianos work, what to look for when shopping, how to deal with sellers, and scams to avoid when shopping at pianos stores. But, the best part of the book are the brand by brand comparison chapters. To compile this information, Larry surveys piano technicians across the country to gather details regarding servicing and manufacturing issues.
More recently, Larry Fine has created an online piano buyer guide. This ad supported website is “The Definitive Piano Buying Guide for Buying New, Used, or Restored Pianos and Digital Pianos”. It is full of great information including brand and company profiles, as well as, model and pricing guides. I highly recommend reading as much as possible from it before shopping for a piano.
To avoid offending any manufacturer when discussing piano quality, please call me directly at 951-780-8772 to discuss my recommendations of pianos to consider for purchase.