It seems that whichever great piano you are to choose, passionate and friendly dealers are out there to make your experience truly one of a kind

Passionate indeed.

New Generation> I did not mention this in the beginning, but the 3 pianos mentioned are the ones we are left with after trying many pianos. Steingraeber was one of them. We also tried new Steinways, C. Bechstein, Fazioli, Schimmel, Mason & Hamlin, Petrof, Yamaha and Kawai. Steingraeber is a great piano, it was just not the exact sound we were looking for (though I have to admit that the pianos we ended up with are very difficult indeed).

In my profession, we tend to ask competitors why they are better than other; is it because they do the same as others just better, or is it because they do something different? Yamaha (S), Schimmel, Steingraeber's and Kawai’s answer is clearly that they do the exact same as the majority, they just try to do it better (ie no different technical solutions). In that sense, you are simply betting that the Steingraeber's technicians are the Tiger Woods (ex girls) of the piano world, and better than all other technicians out there. I have met some mightily fine Steinway rebuilders, so it is a pretty though game to try to win at. And impossible for me to judge given that I have no chance of interviewing the technicians directly.

Some other pianos at least try to do something different (more or less successful). Mason Hamlin has the crown retention system. I have heard some pretty old pianos with great sound from them. Bluthner’s rim is very different than others. C Bechstein makes it own action (for better or worse). Steinway’s Hammers are different (though this seems to be changing). I know a lot of these things are for marketing purposes, but if you don’t try - you will definitely not succeed.

So I will select the Pear River

You tried the Steingraeber and it wasn't for you (your children). You see, there is nothing wrong at all in this open discussion.
Some will opt for the Ferrari, another the Lamborghini, another the Lotus and yet another an Aston Martin. They are all phenomenal, phenomenal cars - each very different, but all first class.
I wish you and your family many years of enjoyment with the piano you choose.

Ori, com'on, I know you want to say something - let's have it.....I can take it.

You've narrowed down your choices to three wonderful pianos, but I feel that you're doing Kawai and Steingraeber (and probably Schimmel and Yamaha, as well) a disservice when you describe them as "having no different technical solutions." Kawai's Millennium III action is considered an important innovation. The Fall 2009 Piano Buyer Supplement writes "Steingraeber is known for its many innovative technical improvements to the piano." Several people have mentioned being impressed by the Phoenix system.

Many fine piano manufacturers buy Renner actions, but these actions are built to the specification of the manufacturer -- they are not off-the-shelf components. I would view that as a manufacturing decision rather than a lack of innovation.

In any case, best of luck with your decision. I don't think you can go wrong with any of your choices.

Regards,
tc_eliot

tc,
Couldn't agree with you more.

A well stated counter-argument. Very Good.

I say ingore the three pianos and go for a true high end piano like a Hailun Just kidding of course. My advise is to keep shopping. I'm sure that there is a piano out there that will blow all three of your eager pianists away. It might be a Steinway or a Bosendorfer, but it also might be another brand like Estonia, Baldwin, Yamaha S series or Shiguru. You need the wisdom of Soloman for this one as you are correct - one child will probably feel validated and the other two might get unmotivated. In your price range there are many, many great pianos. Even though I'm 49 I volunteer to come to your house and behave like a teenager until you agree to adopt me.