My technician (make sure you deal with a Registered Piano Technician, not a "tuner") told me that in the last 200 or so years, there have been about 12,500 different brands of pianos made (not model names - - brands)!
Here are some general thoughts on piano brands: which ones are good, which ones to stay away from. Please note that these are my personal opinions. Instruments from the same manufacturer differ from year to year, and within a given year! In the same way some cars are just lemons. It also may make a difference in which factory the instrument was made. Sometimes a company (Yamaha, Kawai) has factories of different "qualities," so piano quality is affected by the factory made the particular piano you are looking at/seeking.
German-sounding names are often chosen by non-German manufacturers because Germany has such a good reputation for piano-building, at least in the past. Just because it's a German name doesn't mean it was made in Germany or by German expatriates or at a factory founded outside of Germany by Germans. Inquire.
As of this date (2006), Chinese pianos are usually of inferior quality. A decade or two ago, this was true of Korean pianos and Japanese pianos before that, so expect Chinese instruments to improve in quality. The Russians also are making pianos now. I wouldn't expect good quality from them [yet?], so buy a Russian/former Soviet Union country piano very cautiously.
Stencil brand pianos (sometimes called store brands) are common in the US. These are like the house brands at a grocery store. A piano store (usually a nation-wide or at least a regional piano company) buys these from a factory and puts a name on it. Therefore, many "different brands" of pianos - - at varying price points - - are actually from the same factory. And could, in fact, be the same model except for the brand name!
Also note that some factories buy parts from all over the world. An American company can buy German actions (that's the "guts" of the piano). Sometimes a company with a good reputation farms out its manufacturing process to a country with cheaper labor rates. For example, Pratt-Read, which makes actions, moved their factory to Mexico, with disastrous results because the labor was unskilled (and sometimes unreliable). You can find Chinese parts in non-Chinese instruments. And, in a curious turn-around, some Japanese pianos are manufactured in America and Europe!
Similarly, sometimes a piano factory sold its brand name to another piano maker, usually an Asian company.
With the serial number (and name) of a piano you are examining or thinking of purchasing, your tech should be able to furnish you with exact information about where the piano was made and when, whether this date was before the company was sold and/or acquired new manufacturing equipment, what kinds of parts were used and where those were manufactured, and so forth.
I'll say again that you need a tech to examine any used instrument. Don't agree to buy a piano on your first visit to a dealership unless you love it and everything about it, including the price, AND you have taken your tech along.
There are only two kinds of pianos - - grands, uprights - - but there are several sizes in these general categories.
Grands:
Uprights:
A "square grand" (built ~1700-1900) is always an antique piano. "Birdcages" (~1840-1940) often are, too. Be careful with these! You may be buying a lot of repair! (Ask your technician....)
Remember that you are looking primarily at the touch (a function of the action) and sound (bright treble? lots of bass?).
Sound is a personal preference (I personally like a bright treble and medium-firm touch, but this is only my opinion!) Evaluating a piano's sound is a lot like buying stereo speakers. What sounds good to you?
If the action is too light, it's hard to control dynamics [loud and soft]. Also, the hand doesn't build up much strength so that when the player sits before a piano with a firmer action, playing is quite difficult. Pianists are prisoners of the instruments they are given (though Vladimir Horowitz toured with his own instrument and technician!). We are not like violinists. Their violin is the same, no matter whether they are playing it in a ditch or in a concert hall.
Casework is important, but make sure the insides (action) are good. Don't be fooled by a gorgeous piece of furniture with inferior action.....
.....unless you just want something upon which to perch sterling picture frames. I am sure you've seen the "interior decor" magazines with a beautiful piano, lid down, in front of a window (ack!), and covered with framed pictures and a voluptuous of arrangement of roses. Presumably, you are reading this file because you want a piano to use!
Also know that pianos depreciate rapidly - - some more than others. Check the want-ads for ideas of price.
People ask me all the time about this piano or that one. Here is what I think of certain pianos. (If it's not listed here, there's a 98% chance I have never heard of it, let alone played it.) Ok, here goes!
Acrosonic: This piano was introduced by Baldwin in 1935 and produced into the 1980s by Baldwin, but some think it is a different brand, so I am listing it separately. The pianos made early on (1930s, 40s, and 50s) were decent instruments. Modern Acrosonics sound tinny and cheesy (IMO - - if you have one, I apologize for insulting you!). Remember to compare these instruments with other spinets, not with other upright pianos.
Aeolian: This company owned many brands, among them: Knabe, Mason-Hamlin, Chickering, George Steck, and H.F. Miller. (In fact, at one time they controlled over 40 brands!). All of these brands were made in the Aeolian factory.
Baldwin: Good piano. Many concert grands are Baldwins. In general, you can't go wrong with a Baldwin. Excellent quality up to 1970. Quality problems on some actions beginning after about 1970. Concerts grands of 7'0" and 9'0" had Renner actions and so were better quality. (A piano action is the moving parts inside.) Baldwin had various owners until it filed for bankrupcy. Gibson Guitar bought the assets in 2001 and is trying to focus on building a piano that lives up to the Baldwin tradition. Gibson's Baldwins do seem to have better quality, but there is not much production by which to judge this, although production seems to be increasing lately. Other brands owned under the Baldwin "umbrella": Wurlitzer, Cable, Chickering, Ellington, Howard, Kranick & Bach, Hamilton.
Bechstein: This is a high-end instrument. If I were buying a new piano for myself, I'd look at this one, as long as it were not a modern one. German. Bechstein recently bought by Samick.
Bluthner: Good piano. Can be expensive. German.
Bosendorfer: Another high-end instrument. I'd look at this one, also. Bought jointly by Kimball (which now makes hotel and office furniture) and an Austrian bank (with Austrian government backing). Last Austrian/Viennese piano company left, out of the hundreds in business in Vienna in the 1800s. Austrian.
Boston: Very good piano. This piano is made by Kawai. It was designed by and is marketed by Steinway, but not made by them - - this is not clear in their advertising! I'd look at this one, too. A Boston is better than a standard Kawai because it is built in Kawai's "better" factory. Uprights (44"-52") and grands. American.
Cable: Cable was one of the brands owned by Baldwin. Cable may be in current production, but if the company exists, the pianos would be made in China or Indonesia. Be careful about quality.
Chickering: Excellent prior to 1960 and even better before 1932, but age of the instrument will be an issue in regards to condition. Quality declined after 1960. Rochester factory closed 1982 and Memphis factory in 1985. Names sold to various manufacturers. American. Chickering had no product between 1982-1985. The piano was made in the US by Wurlitzer from 1986-88. Baldwin purchased Wurlitzer in 1994 and produced Chickerings between 1994 and 2001. Baldwin went bankrupt in 2001, and Gibson Guitars purchased the company and all its associated brands. Chickerings are no longer being made.
Charles Walters: High quality. Hand made, excellent actions, beautiful cabinets. Primarily uprights, but now make a 6'5" grand. I'd look at this piano seriously. American (built in Wisconsin).
Ellington: Part of the "Baldwin group" (now owned by Gibson). China. Be careful.
Essex: Possibly ok piano. This is the "3rd tier" in the Steinway line. The Boston is the price-point between the Essex and Steinway. Specs are by Steinway, as well as advertising and distribution. Made in China in a Chinese factory that makes other piano brands, too. I'd be hesitant (2009). You can probably get a better piano for about the same price. Uprights and baby grands.
Estonia: Good piano. Grands only. Estonia. (Note: There are many piano company names emerging from the dust caused by the fall of the Soviet Union. For now (2006), avoid these. The Belaruse, for example, is a horrible piano. But it's cheap! Forget it. It's the worst piano on the market.) Do not confuse these post-Soviet pianos with the Estonia, however! The Estonia is a very good piano because the Soviets left the factory alone, probably because Estonia was so far from Moscow and made few enough instruments that it was not worth the Soviet government's effort to take over the factory.
Falcone: Can be a good instrument. Sold trademark to Knabe (1983), but the company never did anything with it.
Faziolo: Good piano. Also on the high end. Italian.
Grotrian: Good piano, generally speaking. Also on the high end. German.
Howard: Once owned the Baldwin; now owned by Gibson. Quality varies.
Kawai: I like this piano a lot. Very good piano. Make sure you know which factory manufactured the one that interests you. You want the "good factory." Japanese.
Knabe: Knabe product is medium quality and price now. Bought by American Piano (1908), then Aeolian (1932). Aeolian's Baltimore factory closed about 1932, and production moved to Aeolian's plant in New York. It was sold when Aeolian went into backruptcy (1982). Falcone bought the tradmark in 1983, but there was no production and no Knabe factory of any kind. Company then sold to Bernard Greer (1989), and factory and no production. Then it was bought by MSR/Burgett (1996). (MSR - - Music Systems Research - - is the maker of PianoDisc, a computer product that can transform an acoustic piano into a player piano.) There was no Knabe production between 1982 and 1996. Starting in 1996, Knabe then produced by Young Chang (Korea). It was sold (~2000) to Samick (Korea). The current Knabe product is medium in quality and price. Korean. Also see comments under Chickering.
Kimball: Ok to not-very-ok. American. Kimble is now making office and hotel furniture. They also are partial owners of Bosendorfer.
Kohler and Campbell: Ok. Company makes pianos under its own name, but also makes house brands (as for Schaffer and Sons). American/etc./ask.
Kranich & Bach: Not-so-ok to poor (the current production). This company, established in 1864, was bought by Aeolian in 1932. Quality is good thru the 1950s (America) but has declined precipitously since. Production continued in Aeolian's plant in Memphis until Aeolian's bankruptcy (1982). Wurlitzer bought the company (1985) and sold it to Baldwin (1995). When Baldwin went bankrupt, it was part of the package bought by Gibson. China.
Mason and Hamlin: Ok to good. See comments under Chickering. Mason was sold to Falcone in 1983 (America), then to Bernard Greer in 1989 (America), then to Premier possibly in 1993 (America), and went bankrupt in 1995. Purchased by 1996 Music Systems Research (maker of PianoDisc; Sacramento, CA). Factory presently in Haverhill, MA. Current Mason & Hamlin pianos are excellent quality and are sold by Colton Piano Company (chain in Northern CA ). American.
Petrof: Good piano. Czech.
Pleyel: Good piano. Rare. This piano is an antique, so you really need a technician to evaluate it for you. French.
Pramburger: Made by Young-Chang (see below). Same quality as Young-Chang? Korean?
Samick: Often a stencil brand. Ask. Ok to medium quality. May be better now (2006) than when I last investigated them. Korean.
Schimmel: Very good piano. I like this piano's tone and touch a lot. This is another piano I'd consider seriously. German.
Steinway: This is many people's dream piano. I personally do not like the touch or the sound, but I think I am in the minority! I would look at Steinways (particularly old ones), if I were buying for myself, but I likely would buy another brand unless I found a Steinway that isn't what I think of as the "typical" Steinway. Bought by CBS, who put no money into the business and squeezed out as much money as possible from its reputation. Then bought by Selmer (the brass instrument company). We don't know much about quality of the Steinway instrument under the Selmer regime. If you want an "authentic Steinway," you'll have to buy an older model. Ask your tech for details. Steinway makes uprights (45" and 52"), as well as grands. German/American.
Sohmer: Pianos made by the original factory are good. Bought by Pratt-Read (makers of piano actions - - that's the moving parts inside) and then sold to a player piano company. There is no longer a Sohmer factory. Currently (2006), there is a lawsuit brought against a Chinese firm that is using a name that has Sohmer in it (Sohmer and Company). American.
Story and Clark: Stencil brand. Ok. Some pianos come from Asia; ask. American.
Yamaha: This is a wonderful piano. Holds value well, even uprights. I like this piano a lot. It would be on my short list were I to purchase now. Bright treble. Japanese.
Young-Chang. Started in 1956 by three brothers (Jai-sup, Young, and Chang Kim) to assemble Yahamas for the South Korean market. Spun off in 1975. Sold to Samick, but the sale was not approved by Korean goverment and fell through. Young-Chang is now in bankruptcy. Good piano. Korean.
Wurlitzer: Ok to not-so-ok piano. Now made by Baldwin. Baldwin bought Wurlitzer in 1985. Wurlitzer, in turn, had bought Chickering (1983), Kranich & Bach (1985), and Cable (1985). Wurlitzers are now made in China (though there may be a few made in the US by Baldwin [Gibson]). Can by tinny. I'd try to find something else. American.
So, then, what's a good buy? My technician said that now (2006) a Boston upright (about $7000) is a good value. Also a Yamaha "school model" upright (about $6000) should be considered. It's not as pretty as their regular upright, but it's very sturdy because it was made for school use.
In a grand (5'4"), look at a Boston (about $20,000). A Yamaha grand (5'3"), model C1, is also good value (also about $20,000).
Update 2007: I am informed that the above discussion of Pratt-Reed's moving its factory to Mexico, with negative results, implies that I think everything manufactured in Mexico is of inferior quality. Let me hasten to clarify that this is not so! Every country has well- and poorly-manufactured products. As it stands now, in my opinion, Pratt-Reed's business decision and its ramifications are reflected in the quality of Pratt-Reed actions. I apologize for any offense given.
Go to several piano stores and play the same pieces on each piano. Write down the serial number of each instrument and make notes. I suggest you play [part of] the types of literature you prefer (for example, your preferences might be Mozart, Beethoven, no Liszt, no Tchaikovsky) on each instrument. One might be wonderful for Mozart but too wimpy for Rachmaninov (particularly in the bass).
If the instrument is for a non-player (or is being bought by a non-player for his child or teen), ask the salesperson to play the same piece or two on each piano. Call ahead and make sure (1) you get the person who plays the best; this is often the manager; and (2) you go in at a time where that person can give you undivided attention (likely to be an "off" day at an "off" time); ask to make an appointment. Ask the person to play, say, Mozart and Beethoven and maybe a show or pop tune. Make sure you don't hear -only- pop stuff, as the teacher will be teaching Mozart and Beethoven [too]! Request this when you make the appointment. This is why you want the best pianist to help you select a piano, not someone who can play only pop.
A piano is an investment that lasts a lifetime.
Get the best one you can stretch to afford. You won't be sorry.
Any brand's cheapest model is its worst piano. Go up a level.
An expensive brand's upright might not be as good as another brand's grand. Or, vice versa.
A grand will have better tone than an upright, generally speaking, though one manufacturer's grands will not sound as good as another manufacturer's uprights.
A used piano should be considered seriously. Bear in mind, however, that used pianos are a law unto themselves. Do not fail to ask your tech to physically examine any used piano you are considering! Caveat emptor!
Pianos are as individual as children!
I have spoken several times in this file (and in others on my site) about piano techs. The field of piano tuning/repair/restoration is not overseen by any government agency (US or otherwise). In an effort to standardize training, as well as methods and quality of work, the Piano Technicians' Guild was formed. To qualify as a Registered Piano Technician requires passing a rigorous written test, plus a hands-on tuning exam. You will always get better work from an RPT than a 'piano tuner,' so I encourage you to seek a real piano tech to care for your not-inconsiderable investment! A tuning should cost you $125-$225, depending on where you live and what the service includes. RPTs usually include more than just tuning when your instrument is serviced.
Update, 2007: I am reminded by a tuner that some reputable and exceedingly skilled piano technical people choose not to join the the Technicians' Guild. My apologies for insulting these professionals. Ask for references for any tuner or RPT you are considering hiring.
There you have it. These are my opinions only, not Holy Writ. Please do your own homework before you buy! Ask friends, ask piano teachers (ask what they would buy now if price were no object and if price must be considered), use search engines, post on one of the piano newsgroups, and so on. Asking piano salespeople probably will not net you much unbiased information, sad to say!
A special thanks to my RPT, David Abdalian of Abdalian Pianos for his gracious and generous assistance in vetting and correcting this file and adding details only someone of his knowledge, experience, and connections would know!
copyright 2006-2007, Martha Beth Lewis, Ph.D.
Contact me for reprint permission.