by Stephen N. Reed
Audiences enjoying a pianist’s performance at the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Tanglewood, or a Billy Joel concert can all attest to the experience of encountering a Steinway. So, too, can movie viewers who watch a classic Steinway grand with an ebony finish being played by one of the characters.
Generations have now had the Steinway sound become part of the fiber of their lives. As a result, the value of a Steinway piano is not in doubt. In this article, we will break that value down to understand better whether a Steinway piano is a good investment.
M. Steinert & Sons has been selling Steinway pianos since 1869 and understand the different kinds of value a new Steinway brings as an investment. In this article, we will walk you through the 4 main measures of value in a new Steinway.
A Steinway’s value includes a slower depreciation than other premium brands. The relatively low volume of production (roughly 2500 pianos per year for the entire world market) is a significant contributor to a new Steinway piano’s value.
Additionally, 97% of the world’s top pianists, those performing solos with major orchestras, seek out new Steinway pianos for their performances, burnishing Steinway’s reputation as the world’s best concert piano.
Another significant factor related to value is the extraordinary attention to craftsmanship that yields a handcrafted instrument that takes twelve months to build. All this plays into the fact that a Steinway piano retains its value better than other premium pianos.
High quality materials play a role in the overall value of a new Steinway piano. Features like the special Sitka Spruce wooden soundboards and Hard Rock Maple rims adds value to a Steinway. Steinway remains the most durable and rebuilt piano in the world.
With a historical annual price increase across the Steinway line of between 3% and 5% to maintain their standards of excellence, the 20-40 year increase in cost can seem dramatic. As a result, the new Steinway model you purchase today will likely cost more as a new model in the future.
For example, a brand new Steinway Model B cost $51,200 in 1998. In 2022, a new Steinway Model B costs $124,900. As recently as 2017 a used Steinway Model B from 1998 was purchased at M. Steinert & Sons by a customer for $61,000.
However, we do not promise or promote a return like this across all Steinways – since instrument character, maintenance history, usage environment, and market conditions are big factors in the pricing of any used instrument.
Plus, one of the most tangible expressions of a Steinway’s value is the lifetime trade-up policy for a more expensive Steinway piano offered by authorized Steinway dealers like M. Steinert & Sons. Any money invested in a Steinway of lesser value can be applied for any trade-up to another Steinway.
Facts like those given above give us benchmarks as to a Steinway piano’s value. But even greater value is found in the commitment to music itself that Steinway & Sons has always exhibited.
Early on, Steinway pianos were winning awards and impressing listeners with their unique, rich tone. Steinway & Sons founder Henry Englehard Steinway, a German cabinetmaker, and his family were meticulous in their craftsmanship as they built and refined the first Steinway pianos.
But they were also musicians from a country with a rich musical heritage. Indeed, Henry had built his wife a double-string fortepiano for her wedding present. He even played the pipe organ at their own wedding before saying his vows.
To understand the value of a Steinway piano, one has to develop an awareness that all of Henry Steinway’s efforts to build the best piano were geared towards producing the best music. As beautiful a design as the Steinway has, without that perfect tone and touch, it would disappoint Henry Steinway.
Musicians as notable as early 20th Century Russian composer and pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff caught on to this high standard of quality that Henry Steinway started in 1853. In a letter to Steinway, Rachmaninoff wrote:
“I am very happy to have the opportunity of using your pianos for my concerts, because I consider them to be perfect in every way. Faithfully yours, Sergei Rachmaninoff.”
Rachmaninoff became a Steinway Artist, a group of musical “immortals” that included Franz Liszt, Arthur Rubenstein, and George Gershwin. Each understood the musical value of a Steinway, preferring them over all other brands.
Today, the Steinway Artist distinction continues with a range of performers including Lang Lang, Harry Connick, Jr., Ahmad Jamal, and Diana Krall.
Today, Steinway & Son’s share of the high-end piano market is over 80 percent. As a result, the sheer value and impact of Steinway on our modern culture is immeasurable.
When a concert pianist plays a Steinway, they are sharing an instrument from a company that has been granted 139 patents in piano making. Any piano made today, by any company, has some of Steinway’s influence in it.
Steinway occupies a place in the imagination of people around the world: an American company with international appeal. Every so often, a Steinway announcement reconfirms this place on the cultural landscape.
William Steinway showed the family’s commitment to culture and music by building a Steinway Hall in New York City between 1864-66. This structure housed the second-largest concert hall in the U.S.
Steinway Hall quickly became one of New York City’s best-known cultural centers, serving as the home for the New York Philharmonic for 25 years until Carnegie Hall was built Another Steinway Hall was built in London in 1875.
In the early 20th Century, Steinway provided elegant grand pianos to both Roosevelts at the White House. Later, the European part of the company received a royal warrant of appointment to Queen Elizabeth, which it still holds today.
Steinway’s commitment to the nation and modern culture has continued throughout its storied history in America and Germany. No evaluation of the value of investing in a Steinway is complete without an appreciation of Steinway’s place in the fabric of American and world culture.
Beyond participating in a company that has produced arguably the best musical instrument in history, and beyond affirming the value Steinway pianos continue to give to our culture, the daily value one derives from such an instrument comes from the practical use it yields to its owner.
A Steinway not only helps bring out the best music a top performer has to give. It can empower a young piano student to reach for his or her best as a piano student, compelling them to dig deeper for their personal best.
The satisfaction a parent gets from seeing their child learn to appreciate and to produce good music, along with the discipline needed to create it, has a value all its own
From Steinway & Sons’ beginnings, pianos have been built not only for concert venues but homes. With the advent of the new Spirio self-playing piano, Steinway has now made the bold move of bringing the grand piano back to the center of the home.
In addition to playing the Spirio, a Steinway Musical Library of over 4,000 pieces by Steinway Artists is included, giving added entertainment value.
Any Steinway piano, new or used, still has heirloom value as long as it is in decent condition. The original buyer, seeing their piano purchase as a long-term, family investment, can pass their Steinway down to the next generation, where it can continue to add musical value to the lives of the next household.
Thus we see that evaluating a Steinway piano has different streams which converge to create an overall value, one that may be difficult to quantify financially but which is apparent to all who benefit from the instrument.
The Steinway owner is participating in an ethic of hard work, high quality, and positive contributions to music and culture that stretch back to Henry Steinway’s roots in Seesen, Germany during the 1820s and 30s.
Henry Steinway’s commitment to building the best piano in his adopted country of America never wavered and was passed down to succeeding generations of Steinways. It is his determination that produced the overall value of the Steinway pianos that have been creating beautiful music ever since Steinway and Sons’ foundation in 1853.
Is a new Steinway piano a good investment? Musically, culturally, and practically the answer is yes. Granted, for those who are not yet able to afford a new Steinway, a used Steinway may be more comfortable.
A well-maintained Steinway can retain much of its value, more than other premium piano makers. This is partly due to the fact that used Steinway prices are tied to the price of a new Steinway, which rises 3-5% each year.
However, that is not where the primary appreciation resides. The new Steinway is an asset with several forms of value, beginning with its musical value and including its cultural and in-home value.
For more information on the investment value of Steinway pianos, read these selections:
by Stephen N. Reed
Many people would love to own a Steinway piano. However, the price of one can seem out of reach for many. Even those who can afford a Steinway may wish to have their money working for them, not placed all at once into the purchase of a handcrafted piano.
M. Steinert & Sons has been selling Steinways to a wide range of customers across New England since 1869. As we’ll see, customers with quite different financial backgrounds avail themselves of the financing options.
Being able to break the purchase price down to manageable monthly payments provides our customers with more choices, all of which are relatively easy.
As treasurer of M. Steinert & Sons, Jerome Murphy has helped many people finance their Steinway pianos over his 40-year career. Indeed, over the past ten years, 14% of M. Steinert & Sons’ customers finance their piano purchase.
Jerome explains the three ways to finance a Steinway or Steinway-designed piano at M. Steinert & Sons: through Allegro, Piano Credit Corp, or folding one’s piano loan into an existing mortgage.
“Through Allegro, a national third-party financing company endorsed by Steinway, we provide an option that works well for many of our customers,” explains Jerome.
Allegro finances other kinds of expensive purchases nationally, including luxury items and hearing aids.
“I’ve been around contracts all my life, and Allegro has one of the easiest, online credit applications,” says Jerome. The paperwork is easily produced online. You type in your information, then M. Steinert & Sons sends it off. It may seem a little daunting at first, but the terms are clearly stated. Plus, it’s simple interest, which is some serious savings.
Another way to finance a Steinway is to go through Piano Credit Corp., which is the financing company preferred by some of the bigger banks. With Piano Credit Corp, interest rates are low. Currently the interest rate is 8.99% for a ten year loan, which is a good rate for consumer lending. For a $100,000 piano loan over ten years, that would be $1,266 payment per month.
Allegro has similar rates. For a current Steinway summer sale, Allegro offers an 8.99% interest rate. For this sale, Allegro requires only a 10% down payment for all piano loans under $100,000 and 20% for loans of $100,000 or more.
“Both of these options are sound ones,” says Jerome. “Plus, we work with customers’ credit unions and are working on a local bank option. However, there’s another route worth checking out: incorporating your piano loan into an existing or new mortgage.”
Some people could possibly buy their new Steinway through their line of credit. However, what is more likely is to incorporate the piano loan into a mortgage. If a customer has a mortgage at a low rate or would like to refinance it, folding the piano loan into that mortgage can achieve significant savings.
For those with a home mortgage, it’s the difference right now between a loan at 8.99% or 3.5%. Or, say you’re a young couple, about to take out a new mortgage on your first house. This can be an opportunity to simply add the piano in as part of a new home, locking in the lower interest rate.
One other short-term option that M. Steinert & Sons does that helps some customers is the in-house financing option. Any Steinway buyer with good credit can be eligible for in-house financing by M. Steinert & Sons with 25% down.
The customer then pays three equal payments due 30, 60, and 90 days from delivery, with no interest as long as they make their payments on time and by cash, check ACH debit or wire. If the customer doesn’t make payments on time, the in-house option reverts to a simple interest installment loan with an 18% interest rate beginning at day one.
Jerome notes that he has been involved in some creative efforts over the years. In some cases, he has gone the extra mile–literally– to help M. Steinert & Sons’ customers find the financing plan that works best for them.
“I once took a Mercedes wagon as a down payment on a Steinway Model M,” says Jerome with a chuckle. “I drove it myself and turned it over to the service department each day for deliveries and home service calls. It was a very nice navy blue. Great car!”
But just who finances their Steinway? Which customers find financing to be to their advantage? Most of the financed piano purchases at M. Steinert & Sons have enabled entry-level piano buyers to buy Steinway-designed pianos from the Essex and Boston lines. However, those buying new Steinways have also benefited from M. Steinert & Sons’ financing options.
“Some are new parents, getting a new piano for their child,” says Jerome. “Others are like one customer, a wealthy gentleman, who could’ve bought his Steinway outright but wanted to keep more of his money in the market, helping his investments. He told me, “My investments return a higher rate than the interest rate on this piano loan, so it makes sense for me to finance for the longest available.””
Several years ago, Jerome encountered a new customer, a lady immigrant from South Korea, who was a professional pianist who taught piano lessons in Boston. Jerome worked with her and was able to help her receive financing through M. Steinert & Sons.
Years later, the same customer wanted to buy a new Ford car, which led to the Ford Motor Credit to call Jerome to check her credit payments. “She had paid 36 months, each time on the due date or the day before,” Jerome remembers. “I wish all of my customers had a credit score as good as hers.”
Interestingly, the same customer later purchased a new Steinway Model B from M. Steinert & Sons to add to her Model M. “You just never know who might seek a helpful financing option,” says Jerome.
For any of these financing options, good credit is the key. Any financing option becomes easier with a strong credit score. Credit cards are an issue for some people, but if they are able to clear that up, then an affordable monthly payment is often available. Substandard credit may take some time to clear up, after which a financing option can become possible.
M. Steinert & Sons is well-known for wanting to establish long-term relationships with its customers. Their piano trade policy is a good example of this.
The M. Steinert & Sons Lifetime Steinway Trade-Up Promise states that any piano, new or used, purchased from M. Steinert & Sons will receive 100% of the original purchase price for the life of the original purchaser towards any new Steinway & Sons piano of greater value.
So by starting now with a financed piano at the entry level, the M. Steinert & Sons customer can later apply the sum of those payments to a better piano. Their past payment history is rewarded well.
“And if they eventually trade up to a Steinway, by then we’ll probably have an even greater range of financing options for them to consider,” says Jerome.
Today’s piano customer has an increasing number of financing options to consider. Whether one finances through a national piano financing company like Allegro or Piano Credit Corp, folds the piano loan into one’s mortgage or has an in-house loan arranged with M. Steinert & Sons, the different financing options cover an increasing number of customers.
Such financing options make a new Steinway or Steinway-designed piano within reach.
For more details about these financing options, call Steve Hauk, Sales Manager, at M. Steinert & Sons at: (617) 426-1900.
by Stephen N. Reed
Even those who have not investigated purchasing a Steinway piano before can sense that it is going to be an expensive proposition. Even so, those unfamiliar with new piano prices for premium brands can be surprised at the upper five-figure and six-figure price tag for a new Steinway grand piano.
So what makes them so expensive?
M. Steinert & Sons has been following the evolution of Steinway pianos while distributing them since 1869. The Boston-based company has become the leading authority in New England on the subject of Steinway pianos.
M. Steinert & Sons has helped thousands of customers decide upon this significant investment for their home or educational institution: a new or certified used Steinway piano.
Understandably, some customers come to a Steinway showroom unaware of the cost of a Steinway, with its combination of special materials and legendary craftsmanship. An analogy from automobile purchasing may be helpful.
Imagine a sports car enthusiast who has received a significant promotion or bonus at the end of the year. Steeped in the mystique of the British-made Aston Martin from James Bond films, he goes to the nearest dealer to make inquiries.
To his surprise, he discovers that even the least expensive new Aston Martin model is out of his price range. What now?
This same experience can happen with music aficionados who come into a Steinway showroom for the first time. The price of a new, handcrafted Steinway grand piano can be eye-opening.
The good news is that, like a new car purchase, a new Steinway piano can be financed. Indeed, since 2000, 14% of M. Steinert & Sons’ sales have been accomplished through financing, making an expensive purchase more affordable.
So for those who simply need to stretch out their payments over time, a new Steinway purchase can still be a real possibility. Still, others will wonder: Why are Steinway pianos so expensive?
The special wood procured by Steinway for their famous soundboards alone is of great cost. Steinway pianos combine the resonance of Sitka spruce with the rigidity of Hard Rock Maple to intensify the richness of the sound.
Plus, all Steinway soundboards are made with Sitka spruce, the most resonant wood available.
To better understand the painstaking process Steinway has traditionally used to ensure that their soundboards are at their very best, only the top 1% of the Sitka spruce wood is chosen from the Steinway lumberyard.
Out of that top 1%, 40% is still not deemed fit for use by Steinway. From the remaining 60% of the top 1%, custom fitting of the wood is used to create each Steinway soundboard.
Along with the procurement of this special wood, the selection and fashioning of it by Steinway craftspeople add to the overall cost of the piano.
Perhaps the most obvious reason contributing to a Steinway’s bottom line is that it is made in America, with the associated costs of both piano materials and highly-skilled labor.
The generations-old craftsmanship that goes into every handcrafted Steinway comes at a significant cost, i.e. the cost of the labor at the Astoria, New York production facility.
One major American piano maker discovered the hard way what happens when its main factory moves to a less-expensive part of the country to save on labor costs: the quality of their product can take a nosedive.
If the craftspeople who alone know how to create these intricate musical instruments decide not to follow the company elsewhere, the loss can be staggering, even to the point of ruining the company.
Steinway & Sons has wisely remained in Astoria, New York, despite the higher costs associated with doing business there as opposed to other areas of the country. That decision underscores how valuable the Steinway craftspeople are to their company.
Steinway only makes 1,250 pianos annually at their New York facility, with 200 hands involved in finishing each grand piano.
A handcrafted piano like that is naturally going to cost substantially more than a mass-produced piano at a foreign manufacturing facility.
The various models of Steinway pianos vary in cost largely due to increases in overall size. A larger model requires more wood materials and action parts, along with the additional labor and craftsmanship needed to build a larger piano.
Larger models also have added value for their richer tone and dramatic appearance.
Another significant factor in the price of a new Steinway is the piano’s finish. As one example a Mahogany finish can add up to $30,000 extra on a new Steinway Model D.
The Steinway “Crown Jewel” collection has models with creative finishes that include Dark Cherry and Indian Rosewood. These kinds of custom finishes will increase the price over a standard ebony finish.
Steinway remains the choice of 97% of piano performers worldwide. These are professional musicians who make their living from playing the piano.
They consistently choose Steinway as the instrument that brings out their best as musicians and performers.
Such endorsements by Steinway Artists lead many to believe that Steinway is also the most expensive pianos in existence today. However, even a cursory glance at the most expensive pianos reveals a surprising fact: Steinway’s Model D concert grand appears at the very end of the list at Number 12.
The Model D’s price tag at $198,400.00 USD is actually quite a bit lower than the other pianos on that most expensive list. For example, Italian piano maker Fazioli leads the field with its F308 model offered at $347,000.00 USD.
Other top pianos like Australia’s Stuart and Sons and the Czech Republic’s Petrof are much higher than the Steinway Model D.
A CEO of a large company visited Steinway’s Astoria, New York facility and marveled at the intricate details of putting together a grand piano over 12 months (9 months for a Steinway upright) with over 12,116 parts and with 200 craftspeople’s hands contributing to the effort.
“I can’t believe you can make these pianos for that price!” he exclaimed.
Thus, the final price of a Steinway & Sons piano needs to be seen in the context of what one receives when purchasing a new Steinway: a musical and cultural work of art.
Read next an analysis of four factors that help one decide whether to purchase an expensive piano.
by Stephen N. Reed
Spirio, the first self-playing piano that measured up to Steinway’s exacting standards, rolled out in 2016. The Wall Street Journal captured some of its essence well:
“An uncannily accurate method of recording key strikes (with more than 1,000 velocity gradations) and the nuances of pedaling render the flat, soulless quality of playing pianos obsolete.”
But could the 21st Century Spirio itself become obsolete in time?
Patrick Elisha, with the M. Steinert & Sons’ Education Department, notes that Steinway has included key, sophisticated features which indicate that they built the Spirio to last:
This nuance and sensitivity in action dynamics, combined with 256 levels of pedal positioning, form the backbone of the Steinway Spirio performance library. There is widespread agreement that going beyond these specifications would yield no perceptible difference.
For on-board recording with Spirio|R, the same principle prevails: the extraordinary capacity to capture over 1,020 levels of dynamic range and 256 pedal movements, sampled 100 times per second. Other tech factors that should forestall Spirio becoming obsolete include:
However, because the Spirio’s hardware features all separate components, they can be repaired or replaced as necessary. Thus, if a single component of the hardware fails, the piano is not obsolete. Just as with other Steinway parts, individual components can be replaced if they wear out.
Patrick notes that Steinway & Sons has always been at the forefront of piano engineering and technology; these are areas that they have been comfortable working in for many years.
“Steinway is the catalyst and champion of modern piano technology,” explains Patrick. “The Spirio was engineered for the long haul, not for a price point.”
Steinway’s mission remains “Build the best piano possible.” Steinway Spirio is a continuation of this nearly 170-year mission.
For more information about the Steinway Spirio, see our article Is the Spirio Worth It?
by Stephen N. Reed
Veteran piano consultants at M. Steinert & Sons have seen too many potential customers ripped off by irresponsible used piano dealers who offered non-certified, used Steinways.
Told that the used pianos were from a “Golden Age” of Steinways (an age that is often vaguely dated sometime in the past), the buyer is attracted both by the lower price and the novel notion that their used Steinway is somehow better than a newer, more expensive one.
Despite occasional rumors, there was no “Golden Age” for Steinway pianos. Their engineering and craftsmanship get better each year.
“The truth is, there was no “Golden Age,” when the wood and craftsmanship going into a Steinway were better than today’s newer model,” says Phil Schoonmaker, who has been selling Steinways for M. Steinert & Sons for four decades.
“Each generation of Steinways was good, but time takes its toll, even on Steinways,” notes Phil. “If the customers don’t know this, they are susceptible to an unscrupulous salesperson’s skills.”
Clearly, potential piano buyers owe it to themselves to learn about the difference between a used and new Steinway and also between two used Steinways. Steinert & Sons will only certify used pianos less than 30 years of age.
But according to Phil, if one can afford it, the new Steinway is always the better route. The fact that you’re getting the most state-of-the-art Steinway & Sons’ piano from their world class engineers and craftspeople is the key.
Phil also notes that concert pianists, who make their living as professional musicians, want the newest version. Because they make their livelihood playing the piano and want to sound their best, the vast majority of concert pianists prefer to play a new Steinway.
Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of both new and used Steinways.
A new Steinway represents the latest, state-of-the-art version of the Steinway & Sons piano.
A Used Steinway can have good value but only if it is certified by an official Steinway & Sons distributor.
Spending ten to forty thousand dollars for any used piano is a lot of money and yields considerable uncertainty. So if buying a new Steinway is financially possible for you, it’s almost always worth the peace of mind in the long run.
A used piano is tempting, but you need to get to know the piano very well before making any investment. Plus, if it isn’t certified, to the buyer beware.
In the end, a used Steinway can have value if its certified and in good condition. However, in terms of quality and lifespan, a new Steinway piano is always the best deal.
“The ongoing research and development, along with the best materials and craftsmanship that makes each new Steinway a masterpiece can’t be underestimated,” says Phil. “The used piano dealer who tells you otherwise is telling on himself.”
Read more about M. Steinert & Sons’ current selection of New and Used Steinways.
By Stephen N. Reed
The Hamburg Steinway, built in the Northern German city of Hamburg, has an intriguing history. Whereas the New York Steinway factory opened in 1854, Hamburg Steinways began being built in 1880.
The New York facility serves Steinway’s needs in the Americas, while Hamburg serves the rest of the world. Both facilities are owned by Steinway & Sons.
While both facilities faced challenges during the Great Depression, Steinway Hamburg took some additional hard knocks in the first half of the 20th Century.
For example, during the pre-World War II years, Steinway Hamburg–part of an American company–was threatened with being nationalized, as Hitler mistakenly believed the Steinways to be Jewish. Later, Hitler’s friendship with Carl Bechstein, Founder of C. Bechstein Pianoforte, made matters worse for other piano makers, like Steinway.
Thus, while Steinway’s factory in New York was able to supply hundreds of upright Steinways and air drop them for entertainment use by American troops, Steinway Hamburg was supervised by Nazi managers after being declared Enemy Property after the United States entered the war in December 1941.
After World War II’s end in 1945, Steinway Hamburg gradually returned to full production and now supplies Steinway orders from Seoul to Strasburg. Piano performers worldwide are as enthusiastic about Hamburg Steinways as with their New York Steinway counterparts.
But some rumors surface now and then that significant differences remain between the two factories’ pianos, making the Steinways made in Hamburg better pianos. So is there anything to this?
M. Steinert & Sons President Brendan Murphy wanted to find out for himself. Murphy represents the fourth generation of Murphys at the head of M. Steinert & Sons, which is the oldest Steinway dealer in the world.
Brendan went on a trip recently to the Hamburg factory and learned up close about the state of Steinway Hamburg’s pianos today and investigated any differences with New York Steinways.
Brendan discovered that, yes, some differences had occurred between the New York and Hamburg Steinways–in the past. For example, during the two World Wars, Trans-Atlantic shipping could get interrupted, forcing Steinway Hamburg to use some different woods. A beech wood, available in Germany, was used for a time instead of the hard rock maple for the grand piano rim.
However, today, both factories use the same materials, mainly maple with some Sapele, but from different sources.
Also, both Hamburg and New York pianos get their sand-cast metal plates from the O.S. Kelly Foundry in Springfield, Illinois. To ensure a steady supply of cast-iron plates, Steinway bought that plant in 1999, after O.S. Kelly had just lost some failed defunct customers like Wurlitzer and Baldwin.
Both Steinway factories rely upon the strength of these plates to support tensions of up to 40,000 pounds.
Additionally, the hammers in both were made a bit differently. In the New York pianos, the hammers had softer felt, then had lacquer applied to make their surface harder. In contrast, Hamburg’s hammers had a harder felt which was then needled to make them softer.
However, today, both New York and Hamburg factories use a less-processed wool on their hammers. The natural lanolin found in this wool helps produce a clearer tone for both factories’ pianos, according to concert artists who overwhelmingly prefer Steinways.
Externally, Brendan has seen one area where New York Steinways have become more like Hamburg Steinways: their finish. Until recently, New York Steinways typically featured an Ebony Satin finish, not as shiny as Hamburg’s Black Polyester finish, which pops when the stage lights hit it. Now New York Steinways feature the same highly-polished look.
So are there any actual, substantial differences between the Hamburg and New York Steinway pianos? There was one obvious cosmetic difference, but even that has changed recently.
Steinway aficionados are aware of the difference in the arms of the New York and Hamburg Steinway piano arms. The Hamburg piano arm was more rounded, while the New York Steinway was a more clear-cut arm. The difference was a mildly cosmetic one and created no difference in the piano’s tone.
With the transition to the diamond gloss finish, the rounded arm has evolved as a preference and is produced by both factories.
Another past difference involved the pedals. The New York pedal system was re-designed to follow the Hamburg pedal system a couple of years ago. This is another point of uniformity between the Steinway and Hamburg factories and an improvement for the New York pianos.
Many pianists and Steinway technicians agree on this, especially regarding the damper pedal. Now for all Steinways, it is a simpler mechanism with less perceived travel and more accurate pedaling, easier to regulate and repair.
“There is one other minor difference worth noting, though it doesn’t affect the tone of the piano,” says Brendan. “The Hamburg pianos’ pin block has a single stratum of mahogany among the hard rock maple stratas. This may be a carryover from the time when sourcing certain woods was difficult during the earlier part of the 20th Century.”
Finally, much has been made by some writers of the “Renner Action” in Hamburg Steinways Brendan notes that, while it is true that these actions used to be contracted out to Renner in Germany, today is a different story. Like the O.S. Kelly Foundry in Springfield, Renner was bought by Steinway in 2018-19 to guarantee the same high quality of Steinway actions worldwide.
“The bottom line is that today, the two Steinway factories in New York and Hamburg more closely collaborate than ever before,” says Brendan. “What we saw in the handcrafted process in Hamburg was just like what we have seen in New York.”
“One can honestly say today that neither the Hamburg nor the New York Steinway piano is better than the other,” Brendan adds. “New York and Hamburg Steinways are twins: top quality pianos, reliable, and ready to perform for concert pianists and regular players alike. We hear frequently from performing artists that they prefer Steinways because they get the very best music out of them, the performers.”
Patrick Elisha, a piano consultant for M. Steinert & Sons who has worked for Steinway, agrees.
“Selecting one’s piano is a personal process, and choosing a Steinway & Sons piano is often a lifelong dream for people all over the world,” Patrick notes. “Whether you choose a Hamburg or New York manufactured Steinway & Sons piano is immaterial, their recipe being the same. The art of music exists in the bond formed between the Steinway piano and its master.”
Get more information on Steinway Pianos at M. Steinert & Sons.
The 12 Most Expensive Pianos Updated for 2021Most people are fascinated to learn about the most expensive things–whether jewels, or cars, or houses, or clothing. For instance, many people would find it interesting to see the world’s most expensive mansions and to know what they cost, such as:
Sometimes visitors to our Steinway showrooms express surprise at the cost of a new Steinway piano – and we remind them that Steinway is NOT the most expensive piano. We wanted to find out what the most expensive pianos were in 2021 and find out where Steinway landed on that list.
Ordered from high to low – the following is a list of the most expensive pianos that are generally available for sale or from current manufacturers in stock finishes — not rare historical instruments that are found in museums, or irreplaceable one-of-a-kind Art Case pianos, or unique collectibles—these can exceed $18,000,000.
Note: Pricing on a per-model basis can vary between information sources (we used a combination of internet research, and inside-industry pricing knowledge – last updated 2021).
Most people also know from experience that the most expensive things they buy are not always the best, or don’t necessarily meet their needs. When it comes to pianos, you may be surprised to learn the results.
Fazioli was founded in 1978 in Rome by Paolo Fazioli, a musician and engineer who held management positions in his family’s furniture factories in Rome, Sacile, and Turin. Fazioli builds only grand pianos (no uprights), about 150 per year.The F308 concert grand is 10’2″ long and has 4 pedals like the Stuart concert grand.
Features includes Val di Femme soundboards (like the Ravencroft), adjustable bronze capo d’astro bars, Canadian pinblocks, and two actions and two pedal lyres as options on all models.
One of Australia’s last remaining piano-makers, Wayne Stuart, custom makes unusual pianos of unusual size–97 keys, 102 keys, and even one 9’10” model with 108 keys (9 octaves)–standard pianos have 88 keys.
Stuart’s family-run business in Tumut, southern New South Wales, uses timbers largely native to Australia and incorporates certain technical features that deviate from the norm such as 4 pedals and bridge agraffes. There are two models available, a studio grand 7’2″ in length and a full concert grand 9’10” in length. A small number of instruments are built to order each year.
The Petrof company was created in 1864 by Antonin Petrof who was from the small town of Hradec Kralove, about 150 miles east of Prague in the current Czech Republic. He traveled to Vienna in 1857 to learn piano manufacturing and returned to his hometown to found the Petrof piano factory.
Almost 90 years later, after WWII, the company was confiscated under nationalization and it wasn’t until 1990 that Jan Petrof took over to get the company back on its feet with the return of democracy. Made in the Czech Republic, the P284 concert grand is 9’2″ and is available only in polished ebony finish.
An unusual feature Petrof has invented and patented is a version of its new grand action that uses tiny opposing magnets on the wippens and wippen rail. These magnets allow for the removal of the usual lead counterweights in the keys and, according to the company, significantly alter the action’s dynamic properties.
The new action also furthers the European Union’s stated environmental goal of phasing out the use of lead in pianos. The action is adjusted in the factory for a standard touch weight and is serviced in exactly the same way as a standard action.
The Magnetic Accelerated Action, as it is known, is a special-order option on the grands. Petrof also offers as an option the Magnetic Balanced Action, which allows the player to quickly and easily change the touch weight in the range of ±4–5 grams simply by turning a knob.
Seiler Pianos was established in 1849 in Leignitz by Eduard Seiler and the company eventually became the largest piano manufacturer in East Germany. After WWII the company moved to Kitzingen, Germany where it resides to this day. In 2008 Seiler was purchased by the Korean manufacturer Samick but manufacturing of high-end Seiler pianos remained in Germany.
In 2013 Seiler introduced the lower cost Johannes Seiler series with new scale designs manufactured in Indonesia. Though in business since 1849, Seiler is relatively new to the concert-grand market, having had a 9′ grand in production for only about 15 years. The Seiler SE278 concert grand is 9’2”and it is available only in polished ebony finish.
Some features of this piano are nickel-plated cut thread German rod steel tuning pins, Renner action with hornbeam rail, solid spruce “membrator” system soundboard and white spruce ribs pre-curved and notched to the inner rim.
Ravenscroft Pianos is an American-based boutique manufacturer founded in 2004 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Under the direction of Michael Spreeman, Ravenscroft has cabinets crafted in Germany and shipped to Arizona, USA for customization. The Ravenscroft 275 is 9’0″ and is available in polished ebony, pyramid mahogany, or burled walnut finishes.
Some features of this piano are Val di Femme soundboards, CAD optimized actions, multilayer braces with inlaid beech and maple bars, and mahogany and ebony laminated bridges.
Steingraeber & Sohne started building pianos in the 1820’s in Thuringia, Germany. Today they are located in Bayreuth, Germany and are still run as a family enterprise. The Steingraeber E272 concert grand is 8’11” and is available in polished or satin ebony, walnut or sapele mahogany finish. Other veneers are also available by special order.
Some features of this piano are the Renner action, sympathetically vibrating second soundboard, natural materials and glues, white keytops from cattle bone, Bavarian spruce soundboards and hardened pressure bars and bridge pins.
The Bechstein company was established in 1853 in Berlin, Germany by Carl Bechstein. The company survived through two world wars and many economic challenges and has remained to this day. In 1963 it was acquired by Baldwin, and in 1986 Baldwin sold it to Karl Schulze, a leading West German piano retailer and master piano technician, who undertook a complete technical and financial reorganization of the company.
The C. Bechstein D282 concert grand is 9’2” and is available only in polished ebony finish. Some features of this piano are a European solid spruce untapered soundboard, solid beech bridges with beech cap, mahogany moldings and solid wood laminate beam construction.
The Bosendorfer company was established in Vienna in 1828 by Ignaz Bosendorfer. After his passing, Ludwig Bosendorfer took over and began expanding the company. In 1966 the company was purchased by the Kimball Piano Company of America and subsequently resold in 2001 to Austrian investment banking group BAWAG-PSK.
In 2008, Yamaha Corporation purchased the company, keeping the manufacturing in Austria. The Bosendorfer Imperial concert grand is 9’6″ and has 97 keys–a full 8 octaves.
The piano is available in a variety of cabinet styles–Strauss, Schubert, Baroque, Vienna and more. The finishes include satin or polished ebony, white and other colors. Features of this instrument include extra keys, an Austrian high altitude solid spruce pre-crowned soundboard, high tension independent capo bar construction, solid red beech and spruce rims pieced together, hand-wound single looped strings, and more.
Friedrich Grotrian began manufacturing pianos in Germany in 1835 in a partnership with Heinrich Steinweg (who later emigrated to the United States to found Steinway & Sons in New York in 1853).
Grotrian pianos were well known throughout Europe and well respected and managed to continue manufacturing throughout both World Wars until eventually, in 2015, a Hong-Kong based piano manufacturer under the name Parsons Music Group bought a majority interest in the company, continuing production in the Grotrian factory in Braunschweig, Germany.
Grotrian uses laminated beech hardwood for their grand piano rims and pin blocks, actions made by Renner, solid spruce soundboards like most fine pianos, and employ single-stringing throughout the entire scale. Grotrian uprights possess an unusual back construction with the posts arranged in the shape of a star for equal distribution of string tension.
In 2018, Grotrian introduced two more affordable versions under the label Wilhelm Grotrian. They are manufactured in Asia.
The Sauter company was established in 1819 by Johann Grimm in Spaichingen, Germany. When Grimm passed, the company was left to Carl Sauter, thus beginning a lineage of Sauters. Sixth generation Ulrich Sauter now oversees operations of Sauter Pianofortemanufaktur in Germany.
The Sauter 275 concert grand is 9’0” and the piano is available only in a polished ebony finish. Some features of this piano are Bavarian solid spruce soundboard, beech pin block, Renner action, a keybed reinforced with steel to prevent warping, and all pianos are fully tropicalized for humid climates. The factory produces about 500 vertical and grand pianos a year in its factory in the extreme south of Germany, at the foot of the Alps.
The Kawai company was formed in 1927 by Koichi Kawai and seven of his colleagues. Modern manufacturing began in 1955 and by 1963 Kawai centers were launched around the world. Shigeru Kawai are the company’s premium grade of grand pianos.
The SK-EX concert grand is 9’0” and is available only in a polished ebony finish. Some features of this piano are Australian wool hammers, a tapered and tuned solid spruce soundboard, alternating rock maple and mahogany rims, hand planed ribs, thinned hammer shanks, and post-delivery service when each buyer receives a visit within the first year by a Kawai master technician from the factory in Japan.
The most interesting fact regarding the New York-based piano manufacturer Steinway & Sons is that although it is the least expensive of the top 12 most expensive pianos, it is professionally and exclusively endorsed by 97% of solo concert pianists worldwide when playing with an orchestra, while all other piano manufacturers combined compete for a fraction of 3% of the symphony market.
Steinway has also been long recognized by piano historians as the world leader in technical and scientific piano innovation having garnered 139 engineering patents to date since 1853, the vast majority of which have been incorporated in some fashion into the other top brands and are now found in virtually every other piano manufacturer’s designs.
Each element of the Steinway concert grand has been designed and refined with the world-class performing pianist in mind. From the Rock Maple rim, to the Alaskan Sitka spruce diaphragmatic soundboard the Steinway D is the standard by which the others are judged.
Steinway owns the German Renner action company, the German Kluge key company and the Ohio O.S. Kelly cast iron plate company. Together these Steinway-owned companies supply many of the action and key components for most of the piano companies above.
The Model D concert grand is 9′ and is available in 13 different finishes including satin or polished ebony and many exotic hardwoods from around the world. Countless articles and books have been written about this most famous of all piano brands which has been the favorite piano of most of the world’s most eminent concert pianists in all genres.
The value of a given piano is something that remains somewhere between the heart, head and hands of the player. It’s fascinating to learn that the most famous and sought-after and respected piano in the world is not even in the top 10 in terms of cost.
As the New England representatives for Steinway & Sons we like to remind ourselves (and our guests!) that quality, cost, durability and reputation should be primary considerations when selecting a fine piano.
For more, check out our summary of all things Steinway.
by Stephen N. Reed
The Concert & Artist (C&A) piano department was one of the first at M. Steinert & Sons. The tradition of offering such pianos—lightly used and played by Steinway Artists in concert halls and other venues—began at least as far back as 1892.
That’s the year that Steinway & Sons sponsored a national 75-city U.S. railway tour by Ignacy Jan Paderewski, the famous pianist, composer, and, in later years, Poland’s prime minister.
Paderewski connected with the public through both his piano playing and his magnetic personality. He was the perfect star for Steinway & Sons to elevate further. As the original Steinway Artist, Paderewski was one of the first sponsored music acts in America.
He was also a precursor to the fame today reserved for rock stars. During his U.S. tour, Paderewski became a mass-marketing wonder. He inspired ad campaigns for candy, shampoos, soaps, and party treats.
Children identified with him through a windup toy showing a little Paderewski pounding away passionately at his tiny piano. “Paddymania” even saw ladies in New York embroidering some of Paderewski’s “Minuet” on their stockings.
Steinway’s unique C&A program came into being after the success of Paderewski’s American tour. As more Steinways were used by famous performing artists, regional Steinway dealers were given the opportunity to sell them, with the condition that they also maintain some select, new concert grands for the use of other Steinway Artists to follow. 130 years later, that tradition remains.
Steinway dealers are expected to keep a bank of well-prepped Steinway C&A concert grands available in case a Steinway Artist comes to town and needs one. International and local artists count on Steinway dealers like M. Steinert & Sons to provide concert ready instruments and technical services for their performances.
To this day, no rental fee is charged for any visiting Steinway Artist.
This program is one of the great benefits of being a Steinway Artist. Without this program, a performer would be at the mercy of whatever piano was offered to them.
Meanwhile, a Steinway dealer, like M. Steinert & Sons, can still sell such lightly used Model B and D grands, replacing them as they are sold to the public, as long as they keep some well-prepped Model B and D concert grands at the ready.
“All Steinways are exceptional instruments, but these C&A pianos are among the best,” says M. Steinert & Sons President Brendan Murphy.
“So yes, there’s a certain mystique as to who’s played them,” explains Murphy. “For example, the story is told of how Vladimir Horowitz and Sergei Rachmaninoff, both Steinway Artists, met by accident in New York City’s Steinway Hall. Both had keys to practice on Steinways there.”
However, Murphy is emphatic that the underlying value to a C&A piano is that the buyer is getting a Steinway grand piano that was considered worthy of a top pianist’s performance.
“Steinways account for at least 97% on concert stages today; the other piano companies are vying for that other 3%,” noted Murphy. “Today’s rising stars prefer Steinways because they get the best music out of the performers. Plus, they want the newest, best Steinways out there, so that means we’re always renewing our stock with the latest versions. There are no active C&A pianos over ten years old.”
Today, over 1,600 professional pianists carry the distinction of being Steinway Artists. Each of them owns a Steinway, and all of them choose to perform only on Steinways.
None are paid to do so. According to Murphy, these professional pianists play exclusively on Steinway pianos because they prefer their sound and responsiveness.
Wilmington, Delaware native Craig Maynard discovered that a favorite Boston-area pianist, Grammy-nominated Marc-Andre Hamelin, has played his C&A Model D. Maynard is retired from the California tech industry. Now he offers chamber music concerts in his home in Southern Rhode Island.
Maynard’s Core Memory Music concerts (www.corememorymusic.com) allow rising musicians a place to perform in an intimate setting of about 40 people. “Chamber music is more social than other performances,” explains Maynard. “You get to meet with other guests, as well as with the musicians.”
Earlier in Maynard’s life, he played the flute seriously and enjoyed his interaction with musicians during that time. However, his musical interests were put mostly on hold during his tech career.
He decided that he wanted to give music lovers in Rhode Island a place to go once the well-regarded, annual Kingston Chamber Music Festival ended each summer. That required a suitable grand piano.
“I purchased my Model B Festival piano from M. Steinert & Sons and loved its sound,” said Maynard. “I was able to find out through Steinway that it was played at Tanglewood after it was built in 2014. Steinway retained ownership of it until 2016, at which point it was sold to M. Steinert & Sons. I bought it soon thereafter.”
After those two years, Maynard started thinking about trading in his Model B, at 7 feet, for a C&A Model D, at 9 feet. “I loved the Model B,” said Maynard. “However, because of the M. Steinert & Sons trade-in policy, I was able to get the Model D, which has been a whole new experience. It’s the dynamism of the range. Not only can the pianist play it louder but also much softer when need be.”
Maynard doesn’t play the piano, but he now appreciates just how unique each Steinway is, not just in different models but also individual pianos of the same model.
A few months ago, a piano technician from M. Steinert & Sons came to Maynard’s home to tune his C&A Model D. “He played a few chords, but mostly just single notes, explains Maynard. “As I listened, I remembered why I decided I wanted this magnificent instrument. The difference between the Model D and my previous piano, a Model B, is like the difference between a total solar eclipse and a partial eclipse. It’s that dramatic.”
Meanwhile, the local community is getting a significant benefit from these C&A concert grands, as well. Not only are they made available to certain local artists, they are also offered by M. Steinert & Sons to select, local music educators who want their piano students to have the empowering experience of playing a Steinway concert grand at their recitals.
So whether your C&A concert grand was played by Yuja Wang, Billy Joel, or Lang Lang, remember that you share with them an exceptional musical instrument that helps you bring out your own inner Steinway Artist.
TOP 9 PIANO-BUYER QUESTIONS 2023After 160 years in the piano business in greater Boston – we’ve heard just about every piano question imaginable! From “can I trade my car for your piano” to the recurrent “what’s my old piano worth?”
Here’s a look at our top 9 frequently asked piano buyer questions updated for 2023:
While the specifics have changed this year, the general rule remains: You won’t be a beginner for long! The best piano for a beginner is one that can meet the individual’s musical intentions and goals.
Some beginners hope to become advanced pianists, even professional performing pianists; other beginners want to get their feet wet, so to speak, to see if they will like it. Some beginners imagine piano playing as a hobby at most; others devote themselves to becoming the best pianists they can be. The more demanding the goal, the more important the quality of the instrument.
For the serious student, growing into a piano makes sense. Standards for touch and tone are set early in the learning process. For the casual learner without high aspirations, an entry-level vertical or digital piano can be a logical choice. Many stores allow trade-up credit to facilitate easy upgrades over time.
Steinert’s Vivian Handis wrote a fantastic article on this topic.
Steinert Tip: Check out the Roland HP704, Boston UP120s, Essex EGP173
This answer has changed over the years. At one point, Craigslist had a certain ‘ethic’ and a sense of fair play about it, but now it’s largely the last refuge of worn-out pianos. Generally speaking, Craigslist is a very risky place to buy a piano due to the general ignorance of the piano’s true condition by both the buyer and the seller. Without significant technical skills, it is difficult for a non-expert to know whether a piano will hold a tune or play properly. More subtle, but important, is to know whether it’s lost its bearing (a piano technician’s term for the bridge’s height relative to the strings). See Four questions to ask before accepting a free piano
A piano technician, or at the minimum, an experienced pianist, should evaluate a used piano. Consulting with someone who knows what to look for will give you a sense of the remaining musical life (if any!). Where there are no guarantees, there is no recourse if one brings home a clunker.
Steinert Tip: Consider the value of a Trade-in Policy and sufficient Warranty protection.
With advances in technology, this feels like an increasingly relevant question. Yet, digital and acoustic pianos still offer very different piano-playing experiences.
The sound of acoustic pianos is achieved naturally through vibrating steel strings, resonant woods, and natural dampening and friction-absorbing materials such as felt and leather. The feel of an acoustic piano is derived from its often unique combination of key length and action design. Acoustic pianos are the only instruments that offer true traditional piano sound and touch.
The sound of digital pianos is achieved electronically. Digital pianos offer many types of simulated instrumental sounds, as well as recording capability, Bluetooth, MIDI, computer compatibility, educational apps, etc.
Recently, pianos from Roland have incorporated acoustic modeling technology to recreate elements of overtones and harmonics into their piano sound. The key feel of a grand is also replicated through mechanical means in some of these newer Roland models.
They have the advantages of complete silence by means of headphones (great for families, neighbors, and roommates; ( footnote: many acoustic pianos today can also be retrofitted with silent systems), no tuning or action adjustment costs, and smaller physical size for those in smaller homes, or who plan to move the instrument frequently.
However, digital pianos cannot exactly replicate the sound or touch of an acoustic piano–they can only simulate it–and as with most electronic devices, their components deteriorate over time. They tend to be less durable than high-quality acoustic pianos.
If one is a traditional piano purist, only the acoustic piano will do for both touch and tone. Some piano teachers accept only students who are practicing and playing an acoustic piano.
Steinert Tip: Bring in your teacher and a favorite piece of music – and try both types of pianos!
Of course, that depends on age, condition, size, finish, availability, and other factors. In short, the reality is that some used Steinway pianos are essentially worthless (more below), while some rare art-case Steinways have set records (see the Alma Tadema piano at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown purchased for $1.2 million).
If the Steinway has been rebuilt or restored in any way, other factors may apply such as where the work was done and the qualifications/skill level of who did it, whether or not genuine Steinway replacement parts were used, which exact parts were replaced, and which were not replaced, etc. Some liken this process to purchasing a used high-end automobile… who performed the service, and what parts were used?
The open market range of “Used Steinways” is very broad due to the extreme range of quality and age. Generally speaking, one should expect to pay about double for a new Steinway than for a rebuilt Steinway, unless the piano has been completely rebuilt at the Steinway factory, which costs about 20% less than the new model of similar size.
At some point, even a Steinway becomes a non-musical entity with no real value – other than its “shell” value (a term for the wholesale value of the rim/plate). Many are excited to learn about the inheritance or acquisition of a Steinway, only to find out a short time later that it will require a complete restoration to be usable. A Steinway factory restoration costs as much as 80% of new.
New Steinway prices range from the mid $80,000 range to over $200,000 depending upon size, finish, and other criteria. Rebuilt Steinways tend to range from about $30,000 to $100,000–again, depending upon the vintage, size, finish, amount and quality of work done, etc.
Used Steinways of recent vintage are usually worth more than rebuilt old Steinways and are generally valued at roughly 75% of the price of a new Steinway.
Steinert Tip: Two recent articles on Steinway aging and Pricing:
When faced with the cost of paying for lessons AND buying a piano, many become concerned with the overall cost to even ‘try’ the piano. Sometimes, the instinct is to try and get by with a substandard used piano or cheap portable keyboard. Yet, this early stage is the period where sound and touch quality can really make a difference as interest is being fueled. Great beginnings often make for great outcomes! So, if the budget or the commitment is limited, a rental could be a good option because it will still provide a high-quality piano experience. The key to a successful piano rental experience is to keep a path toward a purchase that doesn’t lose your initial investment in the rental.
At M. Steinert & Sons, with our EZ-Start program, 12 months of rental payments may be applied toward the purchase of the rental piano or any other piano that we sell. At the end of the rental period, the return transportation cost must be paid by the renter. EZ-Start rental fees and the available piano models may be viewed at http://staging-msteinertcom.kinsta.cloud/a-buyers-journey/piano-rental/.
Other pianos can be rented as well. The monthly rent is 3% of the piano’s purchase price. You can rent indefinitely and the minimum period of time is 3 months. The delivery cost and the first month’s rent must be paid upfront with an approved credit check followed by a monthly billing cycle. Six months of rent can be applied towards purchase.
Steinert Tip: We affiliate with many regional teachers and offer special pricing through them – ask your teacher if they’re connected to M. Steinert & Sons.
In general, we do not buy old pianos, but we will consider taking an old piano in trade for a better piano. The old piano must be evaluated by one of our piano technicians or sales staff and a trade value (if any) assigned to it. Our recent article on What Is My Piano Worth is a great way to understand the variables in older pianos.
In some exceptional cases, we will agree to consign newer Steinway pianos that are in excellent condition. A consignment agreement is discussed with the owner if both parties are interested in this arrangement.
For information on the age of your piano visit: http://staging-msteinertcom.kinsta.cloud/a-buyers-journey/how-old-is-my-steinway/
Steinert Tip: Learn more about our Certified Piano Program – if you think your piano might fit here – let’s talk.
Currently, there is no industry-wide accepted used piano “bluebook”, as there is for automobiles. Ultimately, one is pricing the musical art, or musicality, of which a piano is capable, which will vary widely in each case. There is no established or industry-standard valuation formula for used pianos. See What Is My Piano Worth?
Steinert Tip: For more information about what happens to pianos as they age, see: http://staging-msteinertcom.kinsta.cloud/blog/new-vs-used-steinway/
Price should reflect actual value, as the price of anything is established by its true value. Assuming the seller’s honesty, if a piano is discounted, that is its true value at that point in time.
Some piano stores and brands post significantly inflated MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) on their pianos and offer large percentage discounts to give the impression of attractive values (mark it up to mark it down etc.) –but in reality, the price for which the piano is sold is the only thing that determines its true value.
Other piano stores and brands, notably Steinway, and M. Steinert & Sons, do not engage in such strategies. Any price discounts will be done only for legitimate reasons such as length of time in inventory, true current condition, maintenance history, availability, etc.
If there is a discount, it is due to some legitimate reasons such as inventory aging, overstock, musical considerations, a very limited-time promotion, some cosmetic flaw, etc.
Steinert Tip: Call us. If you reside in our market area (Greater Boston/Eastern Massachusetts), we are committed to earning your business.
We’d like to think we have something for everyone, but it ultimately depends upon your particular piano needs, budget and preferences. We also believe that the reputation, stability, and longevity of a dealership are important for piano ownership since every acoustic piano requires basic maintenance.
Some popular piano brands change dealerships every few years. One popular piano brand has seen three different owners/dealers in the last 9 years. M. Steinert & Sons has been in business in the Boston area for over 160 years and has been the sole Authorized Steinway dealer for the region since 1869.
M. Steinert & Sons is the official supplier of pianos to the legendary Boston Symphony Orchestra and nearly all other leading musical institutions and venues throughout New England. We work with private teaching studios, community music schools, and pianists of every level while supporting the local music community and economy. We’ve made a serious commitment to keeping the piano a vibrant force in music-making in our region!
Learn more about us at: http://staging-msteinertcom.kinsta.cloud/about-m-steinert-sons/steinerts-history/
Let us help you find a piano that matches your needs and budget
by Stephen N. Reed
Named for one of the last kings of France, Steinway’s Model M 501-A Louis XV grand piano is in a class all its own. While the Louis XV delivers in all of the ways one expects from a Steinway, its added flourishes make it a genuine piece of art.
Before we turn to the personality of this particular grand piano, a little background to the style of the Louis XV era gives some context.
Louis XV, King of France, ruled from 1715-1774. As a result, his was the last full reign before the upheaval of the French Revolution. Furniture from the Louis XV era features curves, asymmetry, and is characterized by a certain lightness.
Frequently, Louis XV style utilized marquetry, with inlaid, exotic wood in different colors. Later furniture from this period employed Chinoiserie, which evoked Chinese motifs and techniques.
Taken as a whole, Louis XV style stood in great contrast to the more box-like and straightened lines from the immediately prior era of Louis XIV.
The fullness of Louis XV style came in the middle of the king’s reign, from 1730-50, when he was no longer managed by a regent. This was when the asymmetrical and exuberant style called “rocaille” dominated.
Ever since, Louis XV style has come to be known for luxury, imagination, and old world charm.
What popularized Louis XV furniture? One reason is that Louis XV furniture was designed for small salons, not the huge staterooms at the Palace of Versailles.
Furniture from this later period included pieces, especially chairs and tables, that were easily moved from room to room. As a result, furniture from the era of Louis XV was not only ornate but highly functional.
The methodical process that Steinway numbers its various piano models gives us a look into the sheer number of piano drawings Steinway artists have created. In the case of Steinway’s Model M 501-A Louis XV grand piano, “501” refers to the piano’s Sketch Number in the Steinway Art Department files.
When a new sketch maintains the basic design features but incorporates a variation in the music desk, legs, or lyre assembly, then an alphabetical letter is added to the sketch number, like 501-A, 501-B, and 501-C, rather than creating a new sketch number.
The original 501 had a situation that required just such a variation. The legs on the original 501 were too extreme in their ’S’ curve. This left them with the possibility of breaking, especially when the piano was knocked down or set up by a mover.
Thus, the newer design, the 501-A, was born.
Steinert & Sons’ 1977 Model M 501-A Louis XV grand piano has features of that 18th Century style period, being an intricately, hand-carved instrument. It is noticeably different from most Steinway models in that it is made of Circassian walnut wood, with a compelling rich brown finish rather than the traditional black finish.
The carved style, including the legs and molding, as well as the top lid, makes for a dramatic-looking, ornate centerpiece. At 5 feet, 7 inches, the Louis XV has serious power as well as elegance.
A grand piano like this one was one of Steinway’s most popular parlor models of the early 20th Century, and it was a favorite of both fine home musicians and professional pianists of the day.
Even today, the M 501-A Steinway is one of the most desired vintage Steinways.
Paul Murphy, President of M. Steinert & Sons, is fond of this 1977 Model M 501-A Louis XV at the 28 Damrell Street location. This particular grand piano has an interesting history.
Paul remembers the day that the wife of the owner of a successful regional supermarket purchased it for their home. Paul’s wife, Pat, a salesperson for M. Steinert & Sons at the time, sold it new to the lady, who enjoyed it for the rest of her life. The piano was then bequeathed to a family member.
However, the family member decided to sell this Louis XV piano back to M. Steinert, as sometimes happens when the heir is not a pianist or is unable to accommodate a grand piano in their home. “This piano must have been sitting in a room near the oceanfront, as we had to restore some of its veneer,” explained Paul.
Steinway has an extraordinary policy regarding such veneer restoring efforts on many of its models. According to Paul, the logs used for each piano’s veneer are kept in a humidity-free and heat-controlled wood “bank” in Astoria, New York.
They are kept there in case they are ever needed to repair an individual piano’s damaged veneer. “Steinway’s thought of everything,” noted Paul.
This 1977 Model M 501-A Louis XV model is an excellent example of a more ornate style more popular in the 1960s and 70s. But a vintage Louis XV like this one draws the eye of many customers who enjoy browsing the 28 Damrell Street showroom.
This 1977 Steinway Model M 501-A Louis XV piano has been fully reconditioned in our shop to include new tuning pins, strings, top action and refinished in American walnut.
New, this style case is available only by special order at a cost over $140,000.
Request more information below to learn more.
