I usually post in the Pianist's Corner section of these forums, but I am now in the market for a Steinway B.

I live in San Diego, California and I own a Bosendorfer 214CS. I originally bought it brand new from the Piano Warehouse in San Marcos, CA in December 2005 for the final price of $58k.

I have received top prizes in amateur piano competitions this year in Paris and Colorado Springs. I came to the conclusion that the I need a Steinway because that is the piano that will be provided at future competitions I plan on attending and I need something with a similar touch/action to the competitions' piano.

I went to a Greene Music in San Diego, CA today and was quoted the retail price for a brand new B at $84,900 -- period. I've had my Bosendorfer for 6 years and I am sad to part with it, but it would be necessary to trade it in.

Although I do have a well paying day job, this is a huge investment for me since music is pretty much my life. I would like to ask everyone: What is the best possible deal I could get in the Southern California (LA/San Diego) region?

I know that all Bs are not created equal and my teacher and I would need to personally try them out before committing to anything.

Thanks all,

Gorden

Look/ask around for a used B? They are around.

What about a rebuilt vintage B? It would have a Renner action and not a Steinway action, though.

Do you actually feel disadvantaged at competitions with the Bosie action vs. a Steinway action?

I have a friend who bought a Yamaha grand because that's the type of piano her child encounters at exams and competitions. I personally feel that there are plenty of other nice pianos out there with excellent actions for similar prices, and to stick to a particular action is a pretty extreme constraint.

If you currently own a Boesendorfer 214CS, the only reason you should get rid of it is 1. if you have to downsize or 2. if you want a bigger piano. Your piano is a high-performance piano, and you will not see ANY performance advantage by switching to a Steinway B, or pretty much anything else of a similar size.

When you compete in competitions, you will be subject to different acoustics, and different pianos. There is a HUGE difference between a Steinway B and a Steinway D, which is what I assume most competitions would be using. There is also a HUGE difference between playing in your living room and playing in a recital hall. There is also a noticeable difference between NY Steinways and Hamburg Steinways, which I guarantee is what you'll see in Paris. Pianos also vary significantly from instrument to instrument. The fact of the matter is that whether you keep your Boesendorfer or acquire a Steinway, you are at the mercy of the pianos at the competition, and it is your job as a competitor to deal with it unless there is something seriously wrong with what they provide. Simply having a piano that says Steinway & Sons will do absolutely nothing for you, and if you think otherwise, you're just kidding yourself.

That said, I think what you're proposing is extremely unwise financially unless you have money to burn. In all honesty, I think what you're suggesting is insane and misguided. You will likely not get 58k as a trade in and even if you did, 84k-58k ain't good odds, especially when you add sales tax. Since it sounds like you're attached to your Boesendorfer anyway, you should keep it unless you want to trade up to a used Steinway D or something.

Gnuboi,

Why would a rebuilt Steinway not have Steinway action parts? I know a tech can opt for other brands, but I'm pretty sure they can order parts from NY if they want.

To the original poster,

If you're convinced you need to sell your Bosie, I'd take a crack at trying to sell it without trading it first (what were you being quoted for a trade-in?). I also agree that you're not likely being "harmed" by practicing on this instrument, so long as you have access to a good concert grand piano occasionally. (you admit to having already won some top prizes with your current "routine").

I think if you wanted to bring the "authenticity of sound/feel" argument to its absolute zenith, then you'd need to by a concert grand, as I have never played a B that reacted sonically and dynamically the same as a D (nor did it feel exactly the same).

As others have mentioned, you have other options if you're sure you want to change pianos. Explore high-end rebuilds, younger used instruments, and why not make your dealer compete with some other dealers for your business? Although I have rarely seen large discounts on Steinways, I've not been quoted full retail on anything, either-- particularly not in this lousy economy.

OK...here's my 2 cents. Each Steinway feels different to me. I wouldn't get rid of the Bosendorfer if you really love it...and we are talking big dollars here. As far as selling/trading in goes. I moved to a very small apartment and had to part with my almost brand new Mason Hamlin Grand. (I had to get an upright). I tried to make it work in my apartment, but just couldn't. I hadn't found this website...but tried on some other piano websites...and put out feelers to everyone I knew. I had one person come to try it and he said "I love it, but I need to discuss it with my wife". I never heard back from him. High end pianos are hard to sell on your own, and when you trade them in (as I did) you get about 1/2 of what they are actually worth.

Gorden,

You say you fully understand the wide variability among individual pianos out there, and that you will have to pick very carefully among Bs. What does that say about the likelihood that your specially chosen B will be a good prep instrument for all the other Steinways you'll likely encounter at competitions? [And watch, you'll get tossed a few Yamahas and Shigerus just to shake things up ].

I'm just echoing b986, I know. But from what you have said, I just don't see the logic in replacing your piano with a B .... and taking a financial bath in the process.

I have no idea how feasible this is where you live, but a compromise might be to keep your Bosie and simply rent studio space with a Steinway D on a few occasions before your major competitions for practice purposes. Yeah, I'm sure such rental fees would be extremely expensive, but the $50K or so you're looking at with your proposed scheme would pay for an awful lot of extremely expensive studio rental fees.

You don't NEED a Steinway, you Want one.

I would think it's best to keep the Bosie, it's a nice piano, and it sounds like you are quite attached to it. I don't think you should just "buy a Steinway" because you are going to a competition with a Steinway. The Bosie is a very nice piano anyway, and you should be able to adjust your playing quite easily on an unfamiliar instrument. And as stated before, B's and D's are very different instruments.

However, best of luck to you.

And to Monica.K,

Would it be possible just to go to a piano showroom that has a Steinway D, tell them that I have a competition that uses one, and would it be possible to go through my repertoire on it before the time of the actual comp?

To the OP: What if you end up playing concerts in Europe? It sure won't be on an American Steinway!

Every Steinway is different from every other in any event. Moreover, the point about concerts being on 9' pianos, as opposed to the 6'10" model, seems entirely valid to me. Besides, as a pianist at the level you currently inhabit, shouldn't you be able to play on a multitude of piano brands? There are all kinds of venues out there that won't supply a Steinway, and even if they do it might be older than yours (if you get one), or newer, or with a different touch, or of a different size, or whatever. Moreover, not all concert halls, churches, recital facilities, universities have limited themselves to American Steinways, and even if they do they will be different sizes and ages, with varying touches and tones. It seems to me that learning a piece on one Steinway is unlikely to translate to another Steinway in any meaningful way, and you may well end up limiting yourself in a way that redounds to your disadvantage. Especially given that you now play a Bosendorfer!

Just my two cents.

Not being a "player", my opinion is of limited value. However, in reading this thread I see an almost universal response.

I would consider these responses, being rare in their consensus, very carefully.

One piece of anecdotal advice. Garrick Ohlsson has not been hurt by practicing on his Bosendorfer and he performs on Steinways, Bosendorfers, Faziolis, Masons, and who knows what else.

Dan

Basically what I'm saying is that at your level of pianism, I think you should be able to adjust to any piano quite easily, and it does not depend on what piano you practice on, but it is nice to have a nice piano with a good action to practice on, as it helps greatly with your ability to Colour, shape and basically "beautify" and refine the music that you are playing.

Your Bösendorfer is probably more than enough for your needs at this time.

I'll go out on a limb here:

For the price of the new B, you should consider a used C&A Steinway D. It would be an upgrade from the Bosie for sure and be closer to what you will need over your career.

That said, some major concert pianists in Toronto:

1 has a D for performing, a B for recitals, and an old Mason A for practice.

Another has an M for practice but performs only on a D.

Take care,

Steve

You should consider David Andersen Pianos at the Atelier in Los Angeles, phone number is 310-391-4360 - that will be a great start on your path. Good luck!

So, fuzzy, which is it? Do you NEED a Steinway or do you WANT a Steinway.

If you think you need one, then you've been given good advice already.

If you really just WANT one, then GET ONE! (if you can afford it comfortably, of course).

I must say, your level of playing is exceptionally good (I'm very jealous) for an amateur, so in my opinion, you should have whatever you want (and can afford).

Good luck in your search for a B (if that's what you decide )

What a neat idea!

I was trying to think of a piano sales source that might value a Bosie as highly as a Steinway and not be afraid the a Bosie could be hard to turn in his showroom. Anderson's shop is as good as any place to start. probably better than any other in SoCal.

Another thing Anderson would bring to the table is his ability as a technician, which is not brand-centric, but pan-centric. You wrote:



For the player, touch and tone are often very difficult to sort out and separate. Even professionals will swear that the touch is inordinately heavy or light when technically it is not. The sense of heaviness or lightness comes from the frustration in producing the right volume and projection without making undue effort in touch velocity. It can go both directions -- from lightening your touch ro beefing it up.

If anyone could work with you and your Bosie to get to the bottom of what exactly you feel is lacking in it and make alterations to get you where you want to be, it would be Anderson. I'm not saying he can turn a Bosie into a B, but I wouldn't bet against it either.

He does go out on technician calls, and you never know. He might perform magic for a tiny fraction of the amount you would lose on a piano exchange, an exchange in which even the most ethical seller would expect to make money on both ends of the deal.

I don't know what the completely rebuilt B's by the best rebuilders go for, but I'd guess around 80% of new(if they have a plain ebony contemporary case). So you might save 17K and be able to get one that is just as good or better than a new one.

I'm sure it would depend on the dealership, and it would probably be too much to ask to do this for free, but I bet many dealers would be amenable to a reasonable fee to let you in before or after hours to practice on a D. It's worth asking about.

Thanks for everyone's replies.

I would like to expand further on my reasoning on how I came to this conclusion. It seems like every time I play on a B or D, the action is always heavier than my Bosie. I always had this feeling on stage, and it is very, very frustrating when I cannot control the instrument like when I am practicing because I just feel the keys are somehow 'out of reach'. Not to say that my Bosie's action is weak, but I need something with more resistance. Also the sales rep told me that Bosies' actions wear out rather fast (I don't know if this is true or if it's just a sales tactic).

For example I played Stravinsky's Danse Russe from his "3 movements of Petrushka" at the last final and some passages fell apart while on stage. I do certainly take in nervousness and hesitation to account, however even the opening chords which I practice so diligently just felt so much more heavier on the stage (on a D).

This is not a decision I take lightly. I expect it will only set me back 12-16 months, financially (with the trade-in).

Renting studio space would be nice if I lived in some place like NYC or San Francisco, but I commute 30min each way to work and I am very busy and spend about 3 hours practicing weeknights.

Up to now, everything has worked out great. I put in a lot of effort into my practicing and received good results. However I am not completely satisfied and I want to make changes to my practicing routine -- whatever they may be. I definitely know that I cannot continue on my current path and expect better results next time.

I visited your youtube channel. Your playing demonstrates lots of technique and lots of sensitivity.

At your level, you would be really smart to begin to work with a top-notch technician. What you are describing is in no way an insurmountable problem for such a tech.

I'll repeat what I posted earlier. I have no affiliation with Anderson, but I think that following Jim Frazee's suggestion to give him a call would be rewarding both in terms of the results and in building your piano knowledge.

Fuzzy,

I can understand. It seems that most concert pianists DO have a Steinway at home to practice on. And there must be a reason and some sense to this.

Not only the action feeling different, but to work at achieving the tone that you want while you are onstage would take adjustment time. Time and anx that you cannot afford during a competition.

Even little ole me feels the difference when playing 'other' pianos than the one that I enjoy at home. Reference - playing something as comfortable as the 2nd movement of the Pathetique on a Hamburg Steinway recently felt difficult for me to control the tone I wanted. Something about the key depth I think. I surely would not want to deal with the anxiety that I felt if I were competing rather than just playing for a few piano friends.

However, you might want to reconsider if only for your enjoyment of the many hours that you spend playing at home rather than prep for competitions.

I wish you the best in your journey.

Turandot has given the best advice here. I would start with a technician and see if that fixes things for you. In the mean time, keep saving your money so that if you aren't satisfied you have more money to make the leap. And if you do buy a Steinway, can you fit a D in your home? If you're going to do it, you might as well look for a used or rebuilt D and go all the way instead of only going halfway with a B.

Dan

I don't think you're going to solve this problem by buying a NEW Steinway this way; all the ones I've played have felt on the light side. Furthermore, you can have the touch of your Boesendorfer altered to your liking for a lot less money than buying a new Steinway B.

Whoever told you that Boesendorfer actions "wear out rather fast" is either just very dishonest, or a simpleton. The action parts in their pianos are made by Renner, which also supplies parts for Fazioli, Bluethner, Hamburg Steinway, NY Steinway for a time (I believe), Baldwin, virtually every other high-end piano manufacturer, and tons of rebuilders.

If you have performance anxiety issues, I recommend Xanax. I've used it with success, and from what I've heard, so do many artists on the international circuit.

To the OP: It sounds from your last post that more diagnostic work needs to be done. What if you buy a Steinway and the purchase does not help alleviate the issues you raise? You are taking a huge chance that the piano on which you practice is causally linked ti the issues you mention; it might well not be.

Actually Renner manufactures proprietory parts for each new piano manufacturer as for THEIR specifications which does entail certain composition differences of their parts. When you order replacement hammer,shanks and flanges and wippens etc. from Bosendorfer, they are different compared than what you get from Renner whether from Renner USA and or Renner direct in Studgart.So...evidently someone has alleged or made conclusions as for certain piano manufacturers as for THEIR Renner parts that they use. If you really want to research this you inquire into exactly what so and so uses as for ex. composition of their knuckle, hammer felt and ? There is a difference as in what Renner specs Bosendorfer uses as opposed to Pearl River. Conclusions and allegations come about 10 -15 years later not when the pianos are brand new. When you see preowned pianos 10-15 years later from all the piano manufacturers a pattern does develop taking into account it's favorable or nonfaviorable environment.

There is the possibility of keeping the Bosendorfer and purchasing a piano that will provide you the necessary "perspective" you will need to feel comfortable on a Steinway D on stage.

Certain Baldwins actions are very comparable to the Steinway D in an important way. I will save the long explanation and leave that comment as it is for the moment.

Purchasing that appropriate Baldwin used , perhaps an L or F or SF-10, might allow you to "have your cake and eat it too"

Bosendorfer is a unique instrument. It is easy to understand why you would want that.

Steinway is also unique and different from the Bosendorfer.

fuzzy8balls, I agree with you. It is important to be as completely prepared for what you will be finding on stage as possible. You should do it in the way you are most comfortable with.

I just listened to your UTube piece. Nice work.

RE your last post. The Bosie action and the Steinway D action are fundamentally different. No amount of prep makes them the same. You may be able to make certain things similar in their response, such as repetition. But weight?

The D feels different because it is.

I will not make any presumptions as to where you are in your concert experience. Every concert artist I work with has their own philosophy on what works for them. That does evolve over time. You are in good company if you have and stick to the things you need to to. And, like everyone else, you are unique and you will also evolve over time.

Checking out your Youtube channel, very nice playing.

Altering the touch of your Bosie could be as simple as taking some weight out of each key. I fully understand that being confronted with a piano that plays like a truck when what you're used to is one that plays like a Ferrari is very disconcerting. It sounds like what might help you most would be access to an instrument with a heavier action for a few days prior to a competition. It doesn't take much playing on a heavier instrument to acclimatize to it. Be advised that playing on a heavier action may exacerbate an injury, but judging from what I'm hearing you doing fine at this time. So perhaps you would be best served by finding a piano that plays like a truck that you can practice on for a week before your next competition.

One possibility would be a system a local tech tried to sell me. I believe it's called a touchrail system. It was basically a bar with weights that was installed inside the piano that added weight to each key. With some careful calculation you could have a tech take weight out of your keys and then install this system so that the downweight is unchanged. Then when you need to prepare for a competition have your tech remove the bar with the weights and viola! your piano plays like a truck. Then after the competition when you want your piano back to normal simply reinstall it and you have your Ferrari back.

You're blazing through the 3rd movement of the Italian Concerto, perhaps a bit too fast. It's nice to know you can, but that doesn't mean you have to.

I disagree, based on experience with an enormous number of performing artists, that either is a truck or a Ferrari and perhaps each is both depending on the player and circumstances.

It all depends on style, needs, expectations, experience and environment.

I have a story for you. A talented customer of ours had us restore a Steinway D for him. He participates in amateur competitions. We built him a great Steinway action to suit him and he was delighted. Later, after having frustrating experiences on Steinways in competition (heavy touch), he second guessed how he wanted his own action. He felt that making the action heavier would better prepare him for the different pianos he would have to play on. We made the changes and he set to work. Instead of preparing him for competition, it strained his hands and we had to reverse the changes. He's come to accept that his piano performs better and is better kept than almost all of the pianos he plays in competition. Better preparation for him was to also practice on a variety of instruments at a local university, becoming more flexible and ready for instrument variations. This is a method you should pursue.

The idea that a Steinway is the best way to prepare for another Steinway in competition may as well be a myth. For decades, people talk about how different each Steinway is, how no two are alike even when they are at their very best. Just walk through their showroom and tell me if this is your experience. If you really prefer one, get one - B's and D's are great. But if the appeal is to your head and not your heart, it could be an expensive mistake.

If your purpose is purely to have a heavier practice piano, that is possible with what you currently have. For the right tech, it's not that big of a deal to adjust - just don't ask to go too far.

The salesperson is appealing to your wants and your fears. Will a NY 'B' feel like the Hamburg 'D' in Paris? Never. Will owning a Steinway give you more confidence when approaching the stage? It may. I'm sure that is also weighing on you and working on your decision process. I will tell you it is a matter of confidence, not substance, and that confidence matters in competition. If you can find that confidence another way....

The rep saying a Bosie's action will wear out fast is just crap. I don't know how you can pick on a Bosendorfer, but that was a weak attempt. What is true is, as a high level player with high expectations, you will need more and better service no matter what piano you use.

Larry also makes a good point. A nice Baldwin D can do a good Steinway impression and would allow you to keep your Bosie.

I recently had a Russian concert pianist in who only had played Steinways sit down at a Baldwin D. At 1st, he thought it a bit strange, after 30 seconds said "I could get used to this" and after 5 minutes asked 'how much'. He is a big powerful player who can lift the roof with his fff. However, some pianists disagree with this, but perhaps check it out.

Steve

FWIW - Were I in your shoes - I would certainly try rebuilt pianos in your world including Los Angeles - PianoBroker - above has a nice selection of instruments.

You may also wish to try Craigslist as there are occasionally some nice pianos being given up right now. I'm not disparaging new Steinways. If you find one you love...but there may be a lovely instrument that you find that is rebuilt or used.

Personally, I think it is good to play on pianos other than one's own as often as feasible to help keep one concentrating on what one is trying to achieve.

This might be an ideal candidate for one of Stanwood's Adjustable Leverage Actions.

The action can be fitted to your Bosey, if that's the instrument you like and would like to keep, or it could be fitted to any other grand piano. It would allow you, at the turn of 2 adjustment screws, to dial in any number of leverages and thus different touchweights within a predefined continuum.

This means you could choose to cross train one day, by setting the leverage high (read heavier feel), then the next day set it wherever your fingers really like it, to play for shear enjoyment.

It would allow you to change leverages in between pieces or play the same piece with in a number of different touchweights, heavy to light, to give you the confidence that you can deal with whatever beast they throw at you...and then, when you are done cross training, still dial in the feel of your preference for your enjoyment.

Boy, I really am big on the enjoyment part of this project, because if you force yourself only to play instruments whose action's you really do not like, whose action's don't speak to your muse, sooner or later the muse will stop talking...happens all the time...bummer...not worth it in my opinion.

Jim Ialeggio

Gordon

I remember and know your playing very well in San Diego. I understand why you would think that moving to a Steinway would be a good move for you. However, you presently own one of the finest pianos in the world and a Steinway is NOT a step up. In fact while some would disagree with me others will agree that there are MANY more options than a Steinway.

My thought is that you visit with Dennis James at the Piano Warehouse and ask for him personally first. I know that he still has Bosendorfer and I understand that he also has Bechstein. Explain what you want specifically and let him help you with your needs. Perhaps even have one of his master techs available with you. This will help you in a couple of ways. First of all you are a returning customer with a piano that you bought from him and you are starting to offer a dealer "bragging rights" because you are starting your career.

Just my opinion. Keep us informed to your progress.

I like the Appasionata. Bravo!

I agree with your assessment regarding SS action. Bosie, Fazioli, Yamaha, etc have similar light action, they are easy to be played. If we are not used to playing on SS, there is always few seconds of adjustments needed. Considering what you want to achieve in your amateur competitions (1st place, I think), those few seconds of unpleasant adjustments can cost you the 1st price. If I were you, I would buy SS just to, at least, eliminate one of the variables that you need to worry in your performance, so that you can just concentrate purely on the playing.

Good luck...

I also agree with Jim Ialegio's suggestion of considering a piano, yours or maybe another instrument, which would incorporate David Stanwood's SALA system. This just might be the ideal solution for you, in term of training for competitions. Again, David Anderson Pianos is your man.

A lot more than a "few seconds".

The top pianists often spend hours practicing on the particular piano they will play at a concert. At the Mannes IKIF for example, every pianist giving a recital was given a two hour practice seesion on the piano. Same thing at Carnegie Hall.

Also, a very light action doesn't automatically mean a piano is easier to play. There are trade offs.

One variable in such events is the level of prestige. In some of the major competitions where the winner may get a real career boost by being offered concert opportunities or even a concert tour, the competition piano would receive a concert prep and be maintained throughout the competition. In some cases the participants may even have a choice of pianos available to them, all of which are impeccably prepared.

On a regional circuit, standards may not be as high, and heaviness of action would be more from a lack of maintenance and prep than piano design.

Maybe the OP could comment on his particular experience.

@turandot, most of the competitions I go to, not one of them allowed us to try the piano on stage. The only exception was in Paris where I was able to try the piano on stage at the Sorbonne for about 10 min. That was it.

Anyway, since LA is close, I'll make a trip up to David Andersen Pianos this weekend. Thanks all for your responses. I'll upload my recordings of my performances from Colorado Springs when I get the CD.

Thanks,

Gorden

Steinway Piano Gallery of West Hollywood
314 N. Robertson Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90048

http://www.steinwaywesthollywood.com

This is a factory-owned and operated showroom.

In my last visit to this place few months ago, I saw 1 new D (the manager there told me that he can find other new Ds for us to try), 2 new Bs, and a few used Bs there. I found a B very sexy and very attracted to her (in comparison to my Grotrian Steinweg 192, but after a touch-up voicing my Grotrian becomes “hot” again, I will have her fully regulated, voiced at X-mas time to bring her to her top).

Please call them to check their stock before coming.

If your current piano does not give you what you want, then it is time to make a change. Prestige is nothing if it does not deliver.

If your budget allows, just go and get that B.

Hey guys, I'm getting closer to my new B. Went to several dealers in the SoCal area these past few days.

I was quoted $76,000 for a new B (factory retail is $84,900). Is this a fair price or do you think I can go lower?

Thanks,

Gorden

What kind of service do you want with that Purchase?

Gorden,

$76,000 for a new Steinway B sound like a reasonable price.

Gonna cut the biggest check ever tomorrow... and flying to New York probably end of next week to pick one out.

how exciting! Please fill us in on how it goes!

Big congrats, fuzzy!! Looking forward to hearing about and comparing your experience with mine!

Doug

Didn't notice this thread until now.. congratulations Gorden! Must be exciting times.

My dream piano is a Bosie (Imperial? I don't mind a 280 either :D). A Hamburg Steinway D comes a close second. These will remain a dream for a decade or two at the very least.. You are lucky to be able to consider these options. Hard work does pay (so its not all luck.. I'm sure you work your ass off for it)! You deserve it.. go for it!

To add my 2 cents; When it comes to Steinway, stick with the model 'D'.

You bet NFexec, I'll post my pictures too.

Thanks liszt85 -- I'll be working my ass off all right. Between my regular job and teaching piano/playing gigs it will take me until July 2012 to pay this off.

I just browsed some older forum posts and found that back in 2006, Fields Pianos (in OC) was selling new Steinway Bs for around $60k -- I just wanted to kick myself for not shopping around back then (since I bought my Bosie for the same price).

I think I got a decent deal though. I spotted a 10% discount at Fields and was able to get the same with my dealer, however I'm only getting a little over half of the original price of my Bosie for trade-in. I suppose it's not so bad that it includes an all expenses paid trip to the NY factory.

First off - have fun selecting your new piano. SS Hall is a first class place to visit - make sure to eat at Mangia Across the street (you're welcome in advance).

I just wanted to respond to this one point I quoted you writing above. Is it possible that perhaps the location, and the sound reflection have anything to do with the difference in sound between at home and on stage?

In a closed space, say a 400 square foot room, you get a very intimate sound. It doesn't require much force to get the dynamic level you want, and it's easier to hear all the dynamic ranges of sound because of one thing: The room acoustics.

In a concert hall, unless the piano is mic'ed and you have a monitor speaker for referrence, the sound just goes off into the ether. In my experience, it's always been very challenging to get a great big sound sitting up on stage - it feels, as you say, disconnected. Of course, from the audience perspective, it's a completely different sound.

So, as you develop your technique with the new B, it will be very interesting to hear if this makes a big difference in your experience on stage. I hope you keep the PW community updated on this!

Jeff I'll actually be going to the factory in Queens, not Steinway Hall in Manhattan.

It's a done deal now. I pick out my new B from the factory on October 20th and I should get it delivered sometime in early November.

I'm very excited!

Oooh!!! How exciting!! Looking forward to the result, and the experiences for you to be had there. Post pics (which I'm sure you will do)

Congratulations on your B!

(btw, what are you doing with the Bosie?)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=...mp;l=112b4445ab

There's the photo album. FYI I flew to NY yesterday evening, arrived early Thursday morning, did the selection & tour in the afternoon, then took a flight back to San Diego in the evening. I am falling asleep now!

It's funny how it turned out this way but I selected the piano with the highest serial number out of the 5 that were available.

BTW, NFexec, I saw your picture in the selection album!

Mission accomplished.

Congrats!
I knew that yesterday was your day, and had half a thought of offering to meet you there in case you wanted any "help."
(I work about a mile from there.)

The piano right over there <<< is from there too.

How exciting!

You look very happy!

It looks like there are 4 of you touring/selecting that day. How does that work? What if everyone wanted the same piano?

When does it arrive?

First of all, congratulations on your development as a player, which is enviable.

I just finished shopping for pianos and played dozens of B's and nearly as many D's. Every Steinway has a different action, it seems. I played two D's next to each other with *radically* different actions. In my experience B's are a little heavier-feeling than D's, but most Steinways are heavier-feeling (whatever the cause) than Bosie, Bechstein, Bluthner, Schimmel, Yamaha. To me, this is one of the drawbacks of Steinway, as I prefer a lighter action, but in your case, I agree you need to simulate competition conditions.

I say keep looking for a B with a similar feel to what you remember from your competition D's. The B is a wonderful piano, far more lush and powerful sound than a Bosie, though the complexity of overtones can also make the sound too fat, dark and romantic for, say, your rendition of the Italian Concerto, which requires clarity of lines.

Make a low-ball offer on a B you like and if it's not accepted, go to the next Steinway dealer.

Congratulations on your adventure and your selection.

fuzzy -- congrats! did you find much difference among the 5 you selected from?

Congratulations Fuzzy!
Enjoyed looking through your extensive photo album of selection and factory pictures.
You look very happy and having lots of fun.
What amazing good fortune to be able to chose one of the finest pianos made.
Good luck with your piano pursuits.

Congratulations! Yes, please tell us about how you went about selecting your piano and what made you pick The One.


Sophia

Hi FUZZY!

Hey - from the pics, it looks like you had a lot of FUN during your trip! Good for you! Lots of those pics looked really familiar - gee I wonder why! (LOL). Congrats on your selection. It was both a blast and grueling at the same time, no? Mine JUST arrived at my house today... 5+ weeks from my factory visit and selection. As I suspected, mine sounds a bit less "present" in my home with the carpeting, and so on. But I expected some of that - the local Steinway expert will be checking any super fine regulation I need, along with voicing the hammers for my taste now that my baby is home.

I find it interesting that some say Steinway actions feel heavy. This one is just sublime. And I like a slightly lighter feel. There is nothing heavy at all about mine -- but I admit I MIGHT like just a few notes tweaked. All that will happen after mine has been home for a while and I get used to the sound and feel.

Again - Fuzzy - sincere congratulations.... now comes the wait. Try not to think about it until it arrives! OH - and hey... I never saw my pic on that wall. But I'm glad it's there!

Doug

I had 5 new Bs to choose from and the technician that prepared all 5 of them was in the room as well. Two of them were mellow and the other three were bright (very bright). Although the action wasn't as heavy as I would have liked, it still presented a lot of difficulties for me when I tried to play Chopin Etude Op. 10, No. 1 on them and the one I liked. The technician, Dirk, told me that nowadays they are getting a lot of requests to make the action lighter so that's the direction they are headed.

It seemed kind of odd that the etude was very hard to play, but when I played the Andante to Mozart K330 the keys felt very light. After playing on all of them it came down to the two mellow Bs. I want a mellow sounding B since I will be practicing 2-3 hours every day on it and after several years it will become very bright (just like my old Bosendorfer).

Then the final distinction that made me pick one of the mellow Bs was that the other one was very harsh in the bass. I played just about everything I had in memory: Chopin Waltzes, Mazurkas, Polonaises, Etudes; Bach P&F; Mozart Sonatas; Stravinsky's Russian Dance from Petrushka. Both my friends also agreed on the one that I liked as I played those pieces over and over on all of the pianos. My friend Theresa (who is a pianist) played on them and I was able to listen to the pianos from a 3rd person perspective.

One thing that I didn't realize during the selection was that Wally Boot, who has been a tone regulator at Steinway for almost 50 years, listened to me play and requested that I play Chopin Op. 10, No. 1 on the model S that he was preparing in his office! I remember Wally from the documentary "Note by Note" and I was very glad to be able to meet him.

Fuzzy,

Your experience was not a lot unlike mine. I also had 5 B's to choose from, and also found two to be mellow, one to be very bright, but two were sort of in the middle. And, I also picked one of the mellower sounding pianos. Now that mine is in my home, I am finding it to be somewhat more mellow than I really like (especially in the middle 2+ octaves). The carpeting and surrounding obviously are affecting that here. As compared with the hard wood floors and walls & glass windows in the selection room.

As mentioned above, I will have that voiced to my liking soon; I anticipate nothing other than a glorious result when all is said and done. No doubt you will too! Keep us all informed along the way!

Doug

Chicago Amateur allowed the competitors to try the Fazioli on the stage.

Still waiting on the delivery. Dealer tells me that it is "in transit". It's killing me!

No doubt!

It will be delivered tomorrow! Here's the box it came in:

Congrats!

But, lemme get this straight.... (really!)

How could you have the box it came in, if it wasn't delivered yet....

Sounds like a Twilight Zone episode to me.


I could make a coupla guesses but it's more fun to play dumb.

Mark C, that was exactly what I was thinking too!

But after some careful thought maybe the piano could have come in the box today, And the piano set up tomorrow? Or maybe the box was delivered by the movers, and the piano gets delivered tomorrow separately, while it is in a storage warehouse in the meantime (overnight)?

Fuzzy, you look really really excited.!! I'm really looking forward to the pics when the piano is set up/delivered, or both! Congratulations again!

oh because it was shipped to my dealer first... I was playing on it today after work for a few hours and it's grrrreat

Love your smile!

A vid would be nice when it gets delivered!

(hint, hint!)

That's a great lookin' box. Congrats.

Charles

Yes it is. Maybe Steinway would sell me a box, about all I can afford!

I hope I'll be in the same shoes in not too long and I don't know how you can survive the wait. :-D

Just some background: October 20, 2011


Fast forward to today: November 8, 2011

Big smile on my face for you, F8B!!!

thanks lilylady -- the practicing really begins now... !!

I started this thread on 8/22, today is 11/8 -- difference is 2 months 17 days. MISSION COMPLETE.

This is a great lesson for people who worry too much about fitting a piano into a small space!

Congrats F8B. You have found a new friend!

So happy for you! Fuzzy, your journey is nowhere near complete, you have a wonderful instrument for you to enjoy for a long time! A dream come true, though, that's true. Awesome piano, and you do look very happy! Congratulations!

And I thought the box was nice... Congratulations.

Don't even THINK of frying anything in that kitchen.

Charles

Hehe no, the extent of my cooking is with the microwave.

No kidding! And I thought I didn't have room for a grand...

Congratulations fuzzy8balls! It is a wonderful instrument.

Congratulations, fuzzy8balls! You more than deserve a wonderful piano like this. Go after your dreams!

Sophia

Congrats!! That should be the last piano you ever buy!!

Wow, after practicing on this piano tonight I am really impressed. The action seems light while playing slow but is very resistant when playing fast passages. Also it seems like the keys don't depress down as much as my bosendorfer, making some fast passages much easier to play.

The sound is gorgeous -- mellow. I can play with the lid half open -- which I couldn't do with my bosie or else I'd go deaf.

I should have bought a Steinway instead of a Bosendorfer 6 years ago. (><)

Congrats on the Steinway, Fuzz!

Just a quick question you guys, would it be in poor taste to politely request that the piano movers remove their shoes before they entered a carpeted house? It wouldn't compromise their performance now, would it? Just asking for the future.

I kind of cringed at the sneakers on such a clean carpet!

Yes, it is poor taste. Shoes are a safety issue when moving a piano. Besides, the dolly will track in dirt, and grind it in. If you want to keep the carpet clean, cover it up.

Ahh, got it. Thanks, BDB.

Congratulations fuzzy to your great new piano!

..and climb again on the Paris stage at the amateur pianists world competition. Wish you win there. You can get it! <pressing my thumbs for you>