Piano Manufacturers and Brands: A discussion!
Hello Everyone!
Here is a place for us to chat about our favorite pianos, questions, and general conversation!
What instruments have you loved playing lately? Which brands surprised you (in a good or bad way)? Have your preferences changed over time as your ears and technique developed?
Feel free to share:
• Your favorite grands or uprights you’ve played
• Differences you notice between brands in touch or color
• Hidden gems or underrated makers
• Questions you have if you’re shopping or comparing instruments
No right answers here — just experiences and impressions. Curious to hear what everyone is playing and why it speaks to you.
178 replies
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I absolutely love my Baldwin SD-10, built in the late 1970s and well maintained for all of its life so far. I love its powerful and vibrant yet warm sound. And yet I know its limitations. As I said during the concert chat today, I find its sound to be rather unidimensional although that word might be too harsh. I mean it is the perfect piano for Rachmaninoff and non-classical music, but I wouldn't want to record Chopin and especially not Ravel/Debussy on it for instance. This is not about dynamic range (I can play ppppp fairly easily on it), but rather about the sound character. And yet it is unbeatable in what it does best.
Truth be told, I don't know what my dream piano is. Probably the one that comes closest would be the Fazioli F308. But every single piano is different anyway!
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By far my favorite piano I have owned was a beautifully restored ebony 1930's Steinway Model A-3 (the A-3 was a 6' 41/2" model). I happened across it at a Piano store in Chicago back in the early 1990's that I frequented near my work and got to know the sales person well, always playing their different pianos when I dropped by! He landed up giving me a heads up that they were wanting to get the piano off their inventory and suggested a price that I actually questioned the validity of since it was such a bargain. (I bought him dinner as a thank you!!) Our home had a large cathedral ceilinged dining and living room area that it fit perfectly in, and, most importantly sounded incredible in. It played amazingly well and responsive. My piano tuner always said at the time it was one of his favorite pianos to service and play. Amazing investment that I landed up selling when we sold that home and moved in to another place that just couldn't accommodate the size. I'll always be partial to a Steinway!
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And come on, , we would love to know your answers to your suggested questions. Well, I would!😅
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What is everyone's dream piano, and what is everyone's favorite piano they have played?
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There is a company called Edelweiss that makes very unusual pianos, including the shortest grand piano.
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I am not an advanced player by any stretch of imagination. Had a Yamaha Clavinova at home for about 10 years. Played it off and on - very very elementary repertoire - could read a bit. Then in June of 2023 I walked into a store in Raleigh and spend 2 hours trying out a few older pianos a 1930's Steinway, a Baldwin and a Kawai. I told the sales person that I didn't like the sound of these really old piano's , so she showed me new one a Essex ( entry model - has a Designed by Steiway - written on it :-) ) For some strange reason I really liked the sound and with great trepediation decided to buy it knowing fully well that my playing was far from deserving a baby grand 5ft 2". The store told me they would let me upgrade if I didn't like it for full cost. Got it delivered at home and have played almost every day. Gradually took some of most rudimentary classes at TB and am absolutely enjoying playing my piano. The repertoire has gotten slightly advanced as well. A fellow tonebase member - way higher level than me- heard me play a year ago and then a couple of weeks ago and said the playing had come a long way.! Not sure if she was just being polite.. But I do play everyday and enjoy the Essex - would absolutely recommend it for anyone.