Top of Page The Piano Marketplace in a Nutshell Price level=Quality level (Usually) Included in this article are discussions of who's making what for whom, along with what it means for piano buyers. piano companies are now putting their names on instruments made in other countries, including Japan, South Korea,Ĭhina, or Indonesia. You will find all of those methods used in this article.
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Yet another is by intended use: furniture, casual, beginner, intermediate, advanced, professional or concert. Still another way is by features: type of materials, design, and quality Price, which often (but not always) relates directly to quality. Korean, Japanese, U.S., German, Austrian, Italian, Chinese, etc.Įach country tends to build pianos differently, and as a result they respond and sound differently. There are many different ways to classify pianos. The piano world, like the real one, is necessarily very complex, dynamic, and ever-changing, and only experienceĪnd exposure to it will reveal all the exceptions and fine nuances to what I have presented here. In order to simplify things, I have made some generalizations about the piano industry that should be considered as a starting point, Trends that consumers can recognize and identify patterns which tend to repeat over and over again, just as history repeats itself. Realizing that things do change very quickly, one of my major efforts in this article was to describe general issues and How the industry operates, it changes, often as a result of that disclosure, and then new material has to be written to keep consumers The moment someone publishes a book or an article that reveals One thing to bear in mind is that the piano world is always changing. Hopefully what follows will at least help you get some bearings. After working with hundreds of different piano buyers over the years, I, too, feltĪ need to set down in writing some answers to those most-oft asked questions, as well as to provide a summary of what people looking forĪ piano can expect to find today. What about the new electronic, or digital pianos?Īlthough there are books written on the subject of buying a piano, many of our customers have expressed a desire for shorter, simpler,Īnd less confusing explanations of the issues involved. Should I buy an American-made piano? European? Japanese? Korean? Chinese? What are the differences I need to be concerned with? What about the different brands? Is one really better than another, or am I paying extra just for a recognized name? How do I know if a used piano is in good shape, or worth rebuilding or refinishing? Is it true what they say about new pianos not being as good as the older ones? Should I consider buying used from a private party? What are the risks? Should I consider restoring a family heirloom, or is it best to just start with a brand new instrument? Should I buy a vertical, or a grand? Should I get a new, used, rebuilt, or reconditioned piano? What are the significant differences I will be paying extra for? If we need to later, or should I start out with the best quality, even if it stretches my budget? Should I get a lower quality, less expensive piano for now, and then trade up What kind of piano should I buy for myself, or for my son/daughter who is just starting lessons? In the many years I have been in the piano business, I have noticed that piano buyers often ask the same questions. The purchase made, and the piano moved into the home, many people wonder afterward if they really made the best choice. And even when the decision is finally reached, To make a quick decision without having all the necessary facts. Often, they end up in a high-pressure sales situation where they are encouraged Many people, as they start shopping for a piano, soon find themselves overwhelmed by all the different styles, models, sizes, finishes,Īnd brands available. Please select "view", then "refresh" or "reload" on your browser to be sure you are viewing the latest version. Pianos come in a bewildering assortment of brands, styles and sizes