What is your favorite piano brand?
What is your favorite piano brand?
156 replies
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I have had my Baldwin grand model R since I was in the 8th grade. It was built in 1967. I have loved it, especially the rich, resonant bass register. Though I’m not sure if I could ever part with it, I have dreamed of owning a Steinway, (and now thinking of other brands after reading all of your responses!)
After decades of having it tuned and regulated yearly, my tuner is saying that, after 52 years, it needs a some major work.. a new set of hammers from Germany to start. Have any of you ever done this? Is it worth it?
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I have a 1985 7’ (mod. B) Hamburg Steinway and absolutely love it! That said, I envy golfers as they have a whole bag of clubs for different kinds of shots, if only pianists had that selection. Yes, I love my Steinway, but perhaps if I was collaborating with a singer I might prefer the round mellow sound of a Bosendorfer for instance.
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Yet still, in the end, when given a blank check, I keep going back to the Boesendorfer 225 (only because I can't fit the Bose 290)
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Steinway and Sons. I love its warm and rich sound.
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Kawai is my choice as an all-around, for everyday practice. Grotrian Steinweg is my choice for premium/concert use, given the history (they have an old common family branch with the Steinways), the detailed action and tone, the quality and durability of the materials, the refined design, etc.
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I have a 52 inch uptight Yamaha and I love it. The harmonics and deep tones and the responsiveness of the keys allow u to sink into the piano.
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I’ve always admired Mason & Hamlin for their powerful, resonant tone and rock-solid build—but my love for the brand deepened when I found my piano: a 1949 Mason & Hamlin Model A. There’s something magical about this instrument—the warmth, the sustain, the presence. It’s not just a piano, it’s a voice with history. Built during a time when craftsmanship still meant something, this piano has character you can feel with every note. I’ve had it restrung and restored, and it continues to surprise me with its depth and soul. Vintage Mason & Hamlin pianos aren’t just instruments—they’re legacies.
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Bluthner. It's better than Steinway, Yamaha, and all the rest.
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I've never had the opportunity to play the premier brands... Steinway, Bosendorfer, and the like, but of the ones I have played I love Yamaha Conservatory grands and Kawai.
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Steinway
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For grand Bösendorfer, my teacher has one and it's beautiful in feeling and sound. But I don't have any space for a babygrand so I found myself an upright Petrof, Didn't knew uprights could sound and feel this good. Very happy with my find.
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I just wanted to say I had played a Bösendorfer once in my life. I saw a used one listed at the the dealership that had rebuilt my 1928 Steinway. So I thought….ok….why not cross that off my bucket list? I drove there. I played it for 4 minutes……maybe 5.
A rebuilt 1928 Steinway, a French Gaveau, and a Golden Era Chickering later, it now owns me. It has a sound beyond my wildest dreams. Sometimes I just go in the music room and sit next to it, in utter disbelief…
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My first serious piano was a Steingraeber C212 (7 foot). I traded up to the Steingraeber D232 (7’6”). Both were beautiful instruments with superb upper registers. I loved particularly the chocolatey tone of the D232 in the middle and lower octaves — I’ve never heard a tone like that on any other piano. I traded the D232 for a Steinway D that was completely rebuilt by PianoCraft a few years ago. It’s a NY Steinway on the outside, but a Hamburg Steinway on the inside. All three instruments are better than I will ever deserve, but I’m glad to have had them in my life!
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There is so much variation within brands I feel it is hard to pick a brand vs a piano. I looked at a lot of pianos before I chose mine, and I bought a Mason and Hamlin Model A. I am very happy with it for my house, and usually prefer it to others I play; but I recently had opportunities to play a Bosendorfer and a Bluthner, and they both made me want them.
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Steinway made in Hamburg. Ens of discussion 😊
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Christian Hi Christian! Great to see you mentioning the Steinways made in Hamburg!
It's fascinating how each model can have its own unique character and tonal qualities. They are certainly terrific in every possible way! Had the privilege to play on a few at the Colburn School recently!
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Agree with Christian - Steinway is the only piano.
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I find this question to be a bit off-putting and at the same time interesting. As each piano has its own personality and character I'm afraid I can't judge them just by brand. i realize that the brands also have certain somewhat identifiable characteristics but this question is too difficult for me! I have a Steinway B and I love it most of time and question it once in a while - but it never disappoints me, it is always there for me and always able to give me what I ask of it, and more.
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My favorite is Fazioli. I've had the good fortune to perform several times on a Fazioli concert grand, and when I went to the retailer in Manhattan to select the instrument for the events it was obvious that the Fazioli was superior to the several Steinway D's that were also available.
At home I have a 100 year old Knabe 5'6" grand that was rebuilt (formerly a player piano!) several decades ago but still holds up...a family instrument for generations - beautiful red African mahogany with an oil finish - it glows. Also have a Mason & Hamlin BB from the late '90s (when M&H was reintroducing that instrument and staging a quality assault on Steinway), It stands up to any Steinway B I've ever played.