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What
should I look for in a piano?
First and foremost, how does it sound to you? Everyone has a different idea of what
a piano should sound like and feel like. There's something to be said for tuning out the sales pitch about why this feature
or that makes the piano better. I rebuild pianos, but it is still a mystery to me why some pianos sound so much better than
others. It has to do with, among other things, the selection of wood and the care and skill of the craftsmen. The piano's
sound and touch is also determined by how it is tuned, voiced, regulated, and the acoustics of the room it is in.
What should I avoid when looking for a piano?
I steer people away from the big hype sales events and fake university
sales. These are a front the big stores use to get you in the door. The same applies to "going out of business"
sales. I've seen so many of these over the years. Almost invariably, some of the same pianos will be offered for sale after
the "final sale" is over. Sometimes it's at a different location, sometimes it's in the same store (with a new name).
Take your time, do your research and avoid high pressure tactics.
I also recommend not buying a used piano that has not
been serviced in a long time. If it has gone many years without being tuned up to pitch, it's hard to evaluate if it has musical
potential. Also, you never know how many strings will break when you try to tune it.
Are old pianos better or new
ones?
Some salesmen will tell you that vintage pianos are always better than anything made today. Others claim
that an older piano is always too worn out to sound good, or can only sound good with a new soundboard. Neither is necessarily
true. Every era has great pianos and cheap pianos. Some older pianos still sound great without a complete rebuild. Some of
the cheapest pianos from the 30 years ago were pretty bad, probably worse than anything made today. The earliest Chinese pianos
were horrible, now they are all acceptable. It all depends on personal preference.
What size piano should I get?
For an upright piano, if you want a nice rich bass, avoid the very short piano, called a spinet, around 36" tall.
These have strings that are too short to sound great in the lower register. (Spinets are also harder to repair because the
action is harder to remove from the piano.) A 45 inch high console will sound much better. All things being equal, a full
size (around 52" high) upright should sound the best, though many of these are quite old and may require more work.
In a grand, five and a half feet in length should serve a fairly serious student; a six or seven foot piano will be better,
if you have the room and the budget.
For a beginner, most any piano will probably be far better than a keyboard. Just
make sure it receives adequate service.
Should I ask my teacher for a recommendation?
Yes, but I would
ask if they are getting a commission! Piano stores routinely offer a "cut" to teachers and tuners who refer buyers
to them. I consider this a conflict of interest and do not pay commissions, as a piano should stand on its own merit.
Also,
if someone recommends a particular brand name, be aware that many big name brands offer a wide range of quality. For example,
new Yamaha grand list prices range from $11 thousand to $120 thousand!
Why buy from Fortuna Piano?
As
a small shop, I am able to offer more personal service than the big stores. I will personally prep and tune your piano to
a very high standard. The big stores sometimes don't have the time to do a thorough prep before a piano goes out. As a musician,
I make sure pianos I sell meet certain musical standards. If a piano doesn't sound the way you think it should, I may be able
to voice it differently.
What about electronic keyboards?
I do not deal in electronic keyboards at all.
I do not like to sell something that I can't fix. Some of these keyboards are so inexpensive that they are not worth fixing,
as it is cheaper to buy a new one. For those wanting MIDI connectivity or a computer interface, I suggest a new Story &
Clark acoustic piano with built in MIDI standard. A real piano has resonance that electronic keyboards lack, and it will last
a lifetime.
Isn't a $300 upright from a garage sale good enough for a beginner?
It's usually better
than a keyboard. But a piano with a poor tone and an unresponsive action may frustrate even a beginner. Many students appreciate
the difference and will practice more on a better instrument. Whatever piano you can afford, it's important to have it serviced
regularly.
Why doesn't Fortuna Piano sell better known brands of new pianos? We have a very small shop and showroom. The big piano companies aren't
interested in wholesaling to a little company like us. I have met with reps from some well known piano brands and offered
to sell their pianos. They are not interested unless I buy a huge inventory (and a bigger building). Even companies with no
representation in Detroit won't let me represent them unless I choose to go into debt! What brands of new pianos does Fortuna Piano sell?
We are the Detroit area's exclusive dealer for Bohemia, a high quality European piano owned by Bechstein. We also offer
Story & Clark, now made by Samick and featuring built in MIDI and USB connectivity, and optional player systems. We may
be able to order certain other brands; ask us.
Here are links to two of the brands of new pianos we currently offer:
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What
about used pianos?
I buy, restore and sell vintage pianos. I also sell pianos on consignment. All consignment pianos
are at my showroom; I do not do brokering for pianos I do not have, but I am happy to do on site inspection and evaluation
for either buyers or sellers. Click the "Pianos for Sale" link on the left to see my current inventory.
Is a piano a good investment?
That depends on what you mean by investment. Even a cheap new piano with mediocre
sound may give you 50 to 100 years of use with proper care. I take this to be an argument for buying the best sounding piano
you can afford. Some high end piano dealers will claim that pianos can increase in value. I think this is a poor and misleading
argument for buying a piano. (Steinway has particularly misleading ads showing the value increasing 22 fold over 77 years;
with such a long time line a 5% CD would yield more, and you wouldn't have to pay for tuning and restoration.) A piano should
be bought because of it will give you a lifetime of enjoyment, and will not be worn out or obsolete in a few years like a
new car or computer.
How much should a new piano cost?
An amazing array of prices are out there for
the piano shopper. A new Chinese upright might go for around than $2000 on occasion, and a good quality full size grand may
go for six figures. To a great extent, you get what you pay for. However, it's good to know what a piano is really worth.
I have had clients tell me they got a really good deal, when in reality they paid near full retail price, or more! See an
independent retail price for all new brands at pianobuyer.com to compare actual prices. This is a valuable tool for finding
out whether a price is a steal or a rip-off.
What should I pay for a used piano?
Anywhere from zero
to more than a new piano. An older, average brand piano with a worn looking cabinet has little monetary value, especially
in the internet age where so many pianos are advertised for sale. A completely rebuilt refinished piano may cost as much as
a new one. The rebuilt piano will offer more longevity, and usually (not always) much better sound.
Is it safe
to buy an older used piano?
It's always best to get a technician's opinion before buying, especially on an older
or more expensive instrument. Even a cheap or free instrument may not be worth moving. For example, if a piano has not been
tuned for years (or decades!) it should be tuned before you buy it. (No, moving it does not put it out of tune!) This way
you will find out whether the strings are all going to break or the tuning pins slip. I've serviced too many $300 pianos that
"just need tuning" supposedly, when in reality they need a $5000 rebuilding job.
Should I buy a grand
or upright?
One is better off with a high quality upright than a really cheap grand. I think too many pianists
and teachers assume they need a grand to be a serious musician, and they fail to consider that the high end upright may be
more suitable at their price point. A large grand can have longer strings and a larger soundboard, resulting in a fuller sound,
particularly in the bass. On the concert stage one normally sees grands that are 7 or 9 feet long. Some inexpensive baby grands
are only half that size, about 4 1/2 feet long, and have shorter strings than a full size upright. However, grands usually
have the capacity for a somewhat more responsive action with better repetition, due to their horizontal orientation and double
escapement mechanism.
What brand names should I look for?
It's hard to generalize about most pianos
based on the brand name. Some brands that were once family owned were later sold to large American manufacturers, then sold
again to an Asian manufacturer. Even new pianos of the same name brand may be made in 2 or 3 different countries, with varying
levels of quality.
Should I avoid a brand of piano that I have never heard of?
Most people would assume
that "Steinway" must be a better piano than "Steingraeber". In reality, the Steingraeber is the more expensive
instrument and has been around as long as Steinway. There are many small companies that make outstanding pianos that are rarely
seen in the U.S. Many names that are familiar are actually out of business, but the name lives on. People like to buy a familiar
name, so many old American piano names are now put on Asian pianos. Even if it has the name of an American city on the decal,
it may be made in Asia.
Why are almost all pianos in big concerts venues Steinways or Yamahas?
Both
are large companies with big networking resources. There are all Steinway schools, Yamaha artists, etc. Both brands make a
good piano, but I think one would see a greater variety of piano makers on stage were it not for all the contractual arrangements.
Steinway does claim to not pay artists for endorsements, but they have an exclusive arrangement with many American schools;
I have to wonder how many great artists have never played on a well prepped new Mason Hamlin or Bechstein or Sauter.
Which new piano brands are best (or worst)?
The list below includes nearly all brand of pianos available as new
today. I try not to give my personal opinion, so much as explain what is made where and by whom. This should give some idea
of the relative quality and value of various brands. (A list of used piano brands would be much longer; the Piano Atlas lists
brands and serial numbers for 390 pages!)
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New Piano Brand Names
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Altenburg
Entry level Chinese pianos, sold by Altenburg Pianos in New Jersey and elsewhere.
Astin-Weight
High quality
American piano company, made in Utah. Uprights have unique design with a larger than normal soundboard and correspondingly
big sound. They offer hand-rubbed oil finishes.
Baldwin
A well known American name, they were recently bought
by the Gibson Guitar company. Only a few limited edition grands are still American made. All other production has been moved
to China. Hamilton and Wurlitzer lines are made for Baldwin in China.
Bechstein
A high-end German piano. "C
Bechstein" are the top of the line, made in Germany; "Bechstein" (without the "C") are less expensive,
with some parts made in the Czech Republic (along with Bohemia and Hoffman).
Bluthner
A consistently high
end German piano
Bohemia
A high quality piano made in the Czech Republic, making it a more affordable European
Piano. The Bohemia company was recently bought by Bechstein, and Bohemia now makes some of the parts for certain Bechstein
pianos.
Bosendorfer
Very high-end piano made in Austria. Recently purchase by Yamaha.
Boston
Made by Kawai, sold by Steinway dealers. A more affordable way to get the “Steinway” name
Brodmann
A high end Austrian piano. Their less expensive lines are assembled in China, but use many European parts.
Cable
Nelson
Old American name that Yamaha recently started using on their entry level Chinese pianos
Calisia
Quality piano made in Poland, generally not sold in USA
Essex
Made by Young Chang or Pearl River, sold by
Steinway dealers. An even more affordable way to get the “Steinway” name
Estonia
High quality,
grand pianos only, made in Estonia; costs less than German pianos, like other East European pianos
Falcone, see
Sejung
Fandrich
An American company that buys pianos from Asia or eastern Europe, then replaces strings, hammers,
etc. with highest quality parts, as well as modifying the soundboard, action,etc. Very high quality piano for the money
Fazioli
Very high end Italian piano; it’s one of the most expensive piano in the world
Feurich
Another high quality German piano
Forster, August
Yet another high quality German piano
Grinnell
Old Detroit based piano company, now made in Korea by Samick
Grotrian
A high-end German company with historical
ties to Steinway; called "Grotrian Steinweg" in Europe, Mr Steinweg moved to America and changed the name to Steinway.
A lawsuit brought by Steinway prevents them from using their own name in the U.S. Gulbransen, see Sejung
Hallet, Davis
& Co
Former American piano company, used on entry level Chinese pianos
Hamilton, made in China for Baldwin
Hardman & Peck
Another American name now used on Chinese pianos
Heintzman
Good quality Canadian
piano; now made in China but still 90% Canadian owned
Hoffman
Bechstein's less expensive line, made in the
Czech Republic (along with Bohemia)
Ibach
High end German piano; many unique designer cases
Kawai
Large Japanese company, similar to Yamaha. Ranges from cheaper models made in Indonesia or China to very high end Shigeru
models.
Kemble
The last surviving British
piano maker, they recently closed down the factory and are outsourcing to China Knabe
Once a fine old American piano, now a mid level piano
made by Samick. Partly built in Asia but completed in the U.S. Kohler & Campbell, see Samick
Krakauer
Former American piano company,
used on entry level Chinese pianos
Mason & Hamlin
High end American piano similar to Steinway, once again
being made in the US after a 1990’s bankruptcy. They are now owned by PianoDisc, makers of electronic player systems
Nordiska
Entry level pianos made in China
Otto Meister
This German sounding piano is made in
China also
Overs
Small company making high end Australian piano maker; many innovations
Palatino
Entry level Chinese pianos from a company that has been making other instruments for years. Said to be higher quality than
most other Chinese manufacturers, using parts from all over the world
Pearl River
Another entry level piano
made in China Perzina,
Gerb
German company that now makes their pianos in China; said to be better than most Chinese pianos due to many German
components
Petrof
High quality but less expensive than German pianos, made in the Czech Republic.
Pfeiffer
High quality German piano, generally not sold in the U.S.
Pleyel
Good quality pianos, the
only French made pianos sold in America. Possibly the world's oldest piano company that is still in business
Pramberger
Named for a former Steinway technician who designed Young Chang's top line. More recently, the name was sold to Samick,
and is used on their higher end pianos (which are not designed by Pramberger).
Ravenscroft
Newer American
piano, extremely high end and extremely limited production. German made cabinetry and other parts, assembled in America with
several innovations
Rheindorf
A name owned by a Michigan dealer; despite the "New York & Vienna"
label, this piano is made in China
Ritmuller
Another old German name, another piano made in China
Samick (SMC)
Makes mid level pianos in Korea or Indonesia. Includes the names Wurlitzer, Sohmer, Grinnell, Kohler &
Campbell, Story & Clark, Samick, Remington, Knabe, Pramberger and others.
Sauter
High end German piano,
run by the Sauter family since 1819
Schell, Lothar
German designed, an inexpensive Chinese piano
Schimmel
High end German piano; the Vogel made in Poland is their midpriced line
Schulze Pollmann
Good
Quality piano, made in Italy
Seiler
High end German piano
Sejung
Newer but rapidly growing
Chinese piano company; Entry level pianos
Shigeru, see Kawai
Sohmer, see Samick
Steck, see
Sejung
Steingraeber & Sohne
Very high end German piano, they make only a few hundred per year
Steinway & Sons
The most familiar name on the concert stage in America. Made in New York, some prefer the ones
made in Germany. There are no “cheaper” models; the less expensive lines are called “Boston” and “Essex”
are Asian made.
Story & Clark
American company now owned by QRS, maker of electronic player systems. Pianos
are assembled in Indonesia by Samick, then sent to Pennsylvania for final inspection. QRS player system available on all models.
Stuart & Sons
Australian made grands and concert grands; Very high end with many innovations
Suzuki
An very inexpensive Chinese piano, sold at Costco.
Vogel, see Schimmel
Walter, Charles
Good quality
American pianos, made in Indiana
Weinbach
Formerly made by Petrof, these are now made for Petrof in China
Wurlitzer, see Baldwin
Wyman
Newer company started by ex-Baldwin designers; inexpensive Chinese pianos
Yamaha
Oldest Japanese piano company, over 100 years old. A name everyone knows, as they are a huge company with
a full line of products. A range of quality and price, from high end grands, to medium quality, to entry level Indonesian
or Chinese pianos.
Young Chang
Large Korean maker of mid priced pianos. Also makes the "Essex" line
for Steinway. Weber and Bergmann are their less expensive lines, made in China.
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