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RStier

To answer your question: the Steinways were Hamburgs. They had three B's and I pkayed them all. Very consistent. I played these in comparison with Fazioli 228 (slighty unfair). They had three of those as well. I also played the smaller and larger Faziolis but not the smaller Steinways. There was no D.

I also tried again the Yamaha S6. For me, the Grotrian 192 beats this instrument in volume, tone and playability, Amazing grand for its size.


They also have a Steingraeber 205, but the have plonked it in the entrance near their ticjet sales area, so it is not easy to play it without causing disturbance. I am very familiar with them. I also happen to believe that Steingreaber is coming up in the world in Europe. You see more of them around and dealers are saying very positive things about them.

I am seeking out a concert Grotrian (which I think is called the Royale) because I "need" to play one now. If it builds on the excellent 192, then we shall see...

(Oddly enough, in my book the bigger pianos can go either way. I prefer Steinway D to B, but I prefer the Steingreaber 205 to its bigger brother, except in Phoenix form).

As a matter of interest, this dealer seems to be doing well with Fazioli. For example I am aware of a 9ft grand in a local conservatory - "gasp" they have not bought a Steinway D "gasp again". (The Swiss are conservative usually and the professionals are quite Steinway loyal). And they are very pleased with it. I have played two 228's in private houses as well.
They are cheaper here than in the UK.

Anyway RStier, give that grotrian a chance. My first experience with them was not that positive. But then Jecklins had this really lovely 192 that demonstrated what a well prepped one can do. So I have revised my opinion and am keen to try a big one again. (I don't think I tried a Royale last time).

A

FWIW when I was piano shopping in NYC, the only dealer who bad-mouthed another brand was the local Grotrian dealer. He had bad things to say about Bosendorfer, Fazzioli, August Forster, and probably others that I don't remember.

It wouldn't have stopped me from buying from him, but I found it to be a bit of a turnoff.

Fine

Just because some dealers behave disreputably though, should have no bearing on our assessment of the pianos of particular manufacturers, as long as we can place our business through some other dealer.

Kind regards

Adrian

Grotrians are one of the nicest pianos I've ever played. Don't buy this sales claptrap for a second.
Regards,
Roger

Jon,

I wonder who that was?

David

re: Who are these owners of Blüsthner and Bechstein stores?
There can't be that many of them in Southern California, right?

--------------------
Axtremus, Bl&uumlthner store is Kasimoff in Los Angeles. Bechstein in southern California is Piano Exchange in San Diego.

Norbert, I love your approach!

AJB, thanks for the update on your comparisons. It will be intersting to see what you think of the Grotrian Royale.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by RStier:
[QB] ..."Stay away from Grotrian, it's a second rate piano..."

Grotrian, a SECOND RATE PIANO?????????????????????

Too bad there's no sound with PW posts...

Anyone reading this would hear a lot of hysterical laughter - I am sitting here HOWLING.

I played Grotrians at three piano dealers. Grotrians, in my opinion, are among The Best Of The Best. So of that dealer's comment, all I can say is...

THAT IS TOOOOOO FUNNY. Absolutely HILARIOUS.

Jeanne W

It would be hilarious if it wasn't so sad. Sounds like a second-rate dealer to me.

Man I want this guy's phone number so I can talk to him.

I bet many dealers hate this forum.

Whatever they say can be repeated to the whole world.

Here:

• Bluthner Pianos-Kasimoff Bluthner Piano Co - 337 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004 - (323) 466-7707
• Piano Exchange - 3.5 miles N - 1233 Camino Del Rio S, San Diego, 92108 - (619) 298-5313

First hits on Google.

Post transcripts of your phone conversations. May be there is another side of the story that we haven't heard or considered, so you may be doing a public service if you do call and post transcripts.

Good luck.

It took some chasing up to discover the pedigree of my Grotrian Steinweg piano ... wouldn’t want to swap it for the same in gold. (from "Pianos and their Makers" by Alfred Dolge)

The German immigrant Heinrich Engelhardt Steinweg arrived in New York with sons Charles and Henry in 1851 ... his eldest son Theodore remaining in Germany to manage the Steinweg piano manufacturing business.

Steinweg changed his name to Henry E. Steinway to pioneer a “grand piano” empire under the name of Steinway and Sons.

After winning a prize medal in Washington for his square piano in 1854 and adding another triumph at the NY great fair of the American Institute in 1855 for his overstrung square piano with full iron frame Steinway erected a large piano factory on Fifty-third Street and Fourth Avenue New York in 1859 ... to be joined in 1865 by his son Theodore ... who sold his German piano manufacturing business to three of his working-men, Grotrian, Helfferich and Schultz. “This firm ranks today among the foremost of Germany under the able management of Wilhelm Grotrian and his sons.”

Ha - there's something very likeable about him, though, in an old curmudgeonly sorta way.