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Is there anyone purchased a Steinway model M recently? I am thinking to buy one but not sure what a good price is. Bluebookofpianos said it's $49990 but I think it should be cheaper than that. Can someone share some insider information with me?

Thanks,

-David

Fine says $46,900 in ebony. Don't expect much of a discount from list on Steinway. I think the average discount is from 0 - 10% on them.

David

From what I have read on many threads here, Steinway discounts are minimal. Many other brands, however, have a very different pricing and discounting strategy. Yamaha this year appears to have introduced the concept of a minimum price for their dealers. Price is all over the map depending on the brand and who you buy from. The Larry Fine book seems to be a guide that people use as a reference point. Some individuals here will private message you what they paid.

Mid forties seems to be in range for an M.

I'm still in awe of Steinway's pricing capacity. Mid 40s for a 5'7" piano. Wow. You can buy an amazing 7' Schimmel (NWS version) for that or less, or a M&H BB, or Grotrian 192 or ...........

All things being equal, a larger piano should be the better instrument. But it is a mistake to assume that a piano is better simply because it is larger, even when considering high quality manufacturers, or even when considering instruments by the same manufacturer.

Not everyone's 6'3" or 7' or 9' piano is a successful design, or a more succesful design than their smaller pianos, or another companies smaller piano.

Thanks all for the information. I went to another dealer today and saw a nice Bosendorfer 185. They ask for 45K with the list price over 80K. This proves exactly what fathertopianist said about the discounting strategy of other brands. Well, with 41K for Steinway M (5'7") on one hand and 45K Bosendorfer 185 (6'2") on the other, which one will you guys pick?

-David

I take it that's a rhetorical question .

Best wishes,
Matthew

Hi qwj,

Regarding your last question-- which one to pick:
These two pianos likely sound and feel markedly different than each other. Honestly, you shouldn't put much weight into what we have to say about it.

Having said that, if I were shopping for grands and had $45k to play with, I would pick NEITHER of those. This is not to say I dislike Steinway or Bosendorfer. There are other models I would consider more seriously than those (although my experience with the Bosie 185 is very limited). For me, the "real" Steinways start with the model A, and I would probably prefer the longer Bosie CS 200 instead.

Also, I'd widen my scope of possible piano makers considerably, not to mention considering the used market of some seriously high-end stuff. People will likely chime in soon and offer suggestions as to brands, and if your location is disclosed you may even be overwhelmed by dealers pushing their brands/stores... good luck!

Hi qwj,

I'd recommend doing some more homework before settling. I have owned 2 Steinway model M's, a very nice one from 1914 - and a newer model from 1995 that I also found exceptional. I've also owned 2 Steinway B's.

If you're spending $45K, you owe it to yourself to do some homework on the piano - read the Piano Book by Larry Fine - and try out as many pianos as possible...Mason & Hamlin certainly comes to mind - but you've given us little about your playing background and experience, where you live, how you plan to use the piano, etc.

All we can tell you at this point is what we might do with a $45K budget. But since this is your piano, you'll need to share a bit more.

What kind of tone do you like? What kind of action? What pianos have you liked in the past?

In any event, this should be a fun search - play a few more pianos.

Keith,

Indeed you are quite right that not every design is created equal. But I think your first point about size dominating, other things equal, is the the main point here. Superiority of the design isn't always (or often?) measurable, so that decision is sometimes in the eye/ear/hand of the beholder. I know you carry those small but remarkable Steingraebers, and one day I'd love to try one!

Steinway just seems able to charge a premium over many other manufacturers whose scale designs have no obvious defects, and somethimes the premium is rather large. If someone thinks that the tonal qualities and action of a Steinway M dominate a larger piano by enough to justify the premium then the M is exactly what they should buy. But as Kluurs said (and I concur), with a 45K budget there are an awful lot of excellent (and usually larger) pianos out there to try.

Cheers,

DF

A new Bosie 185 for $45k sounds specious.
Used? Four - five years old floor stock?
C&A retiree?

Frankly I doubt you can buy a new fresh S&S M for $41k as your comparison states.

Throwing these kinds of prices around on the forum is unfair to real people actually shopping for these instruments at real dealers who are planning to stay in business. It sends buyers off tilting at pricing that was never "real" to begin with.

If you're near the LA area, there's a really nice gently used BB that's available...

I liked my M's a lot - but a lot depends on what you're looking for. Again, if you'd like help, you might want to provide a bit more information on your playing requirements - room size, etc.

There's a lot more options at that price point.

In your position I would play a Mason & Hamlin before I made my decision.

BTW, I do not carry nor work for M&H.