What kind of Piano do you play?

I play a 1983 Imperial  Bosendorfer, which I purchased after Oscar Peterson played a concert on it locally at that time.  I previously inherited a 1962 (?) Imperial Bosendorfer autographed by Aldo Ciccollini, and Leonard Bernstein performed a Mozart concerto on it at the Gewandhaus Wien.  It had only two pedals but heavenly sound.  I sold it when I acquired the 1983.

I feel quite blessed and undeserving as a hack hobbyist,

Thanks for asking..

I'm blessed to have a Shigeru Kawaii SK5. I did not originally intend to buy such a fantastic piano, but as I kept trying others, I realized that this will be one of the biggest purchases of my life and unlike other big purchases (such as a car), I will likely have it my entire life.

I bought it a year ago, and with each new Shigeru - Kawaii sends a technician/artisan from Japan to your home to regulate and voice and make the piano perfect after you've had it a year. The sound is absolutely amazing and being a very intermediate pianist - I do know how lucky I am.

As I'm older, I've earmarked this piano to give to my piano teacher. He deserves a much better piano that he currently has and it also gives me great joy to know one day it will pass to someone who will appreciate such a fine handmade instrument.

I have a 6'3" Blüthner, made in (East) Germany in 1986. I think Blüthner is probably the least well-known of the handmade German pianos. I first played one in a piano shop about 10 years ago and fell in love with it. I baulked at the price for a while, but in 2020, during the Covid lockdown, I finally took the leap purchased my current model. 

I adore this instrument. The touch is sensitive and responsive, the tone is pure and warm, the bass rumbles, the treble sings. It is a far better instrument than I am an artist! 

Previous to this piano, I had a vintage Baldwin, which I also loved. 

(I also have a Yamaha YDP-144 for quiet practice.)

I have a Kawai k800. Because it is less than a year old I am not yet experiencing the True Tone of the instrument. I’d be glad to hear from you what you think of this piano (vs say a baby grand in a similar price range). 

I have a restored 1928 Ellington baby grand by Baldwin.  It was purchased for my mother In 1928, and my grandmother paid off the piano by growing and selling flowers for my great uncle’s florist shop.  She had to take the flowers to the train in Omaha and send to the shop in Sioux City, Iowa.  She made payments of $5.00 a month until the piano was paid off.  She owed $500.00 at that time.  In 1928, the Ellington cost around $1200.00; however, my grandfather was a plumber and got a discount by providing plumbing for the music store.

My mother played by ear, but did take formal lessons.  In the mid 70’s, the piano went to my cousins in California for several years and then came back to Omaha for a few more.  In 1984, the piano was sent to San Antonio to my brother’s.  
 

In 2018, my brother called me and asked if I wanted the piano. At first, I said no because it was in pretty bad shape by 2018 ( finish was scratched, ivories had fallen off the keys, keys were sticking, etc.).  In fact, I told him to give it to the good will.  Then one night, I started researching piano restorers and settled on Lindeblad in New Jersey.  They said they would pick up the piano in San Antonio, evaluate it, and if it could be restored, would quote me a price, fix it, and then ship to Omaha.  Luckily, my brother didn’t listen to me about the Good Will.  He said I could have the piano, so I called Lindeblad and the process begun.

Well, as you can guess, the quote was very high, but the sound board was in good shape.  I decided to restore the piano because of the sentimental value.  I know I could have bought a new piano for less money, but  it was my mother’s and a family treasure.  After about a year of restoration, the piano came to Omaha.  The Lindeblad company did an excellent job.  It was refinished, restored, and looked like new.

I also added the Disc player piano system which is wonderful.

After about 30 years, I started taking piano lessons again and love practicing. My teacher is from Russia, and has helped me become more musical.  Although playing the piano is just a hobby now, I am excited for the lessons, and try to practice daily, which I didn’t do as a child.

I'm on my fifth Steinway grand.  It is a Steinway B rebuilt by the folks at PianoCraft in MD.  I had previously had a new Steinway B - but the PianoCraft folks were able to produce a superior piano more tailored toward my tonal and action requirements.  I only wish my room was a bit bigger as the piano can project gorgeously.