Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Forum Isn't Steinway the One to beat?

Rich,

I think the premise of your business, that your rebuilt Steinways are superior to new Steinways while costing less, gets in the way of your good judgment, namely, asking us to believe that your historical endeavors and doubtful rendering of Steinway’s business prospects and practices has nothing to do with the fact that every time Steinway sells a new piano in your area you have to bite another chunk off one of your rebuilds.

Mike


Rickster,

I wouldn't deny that Rich has class. He's even invited me to lunch(no doubt reconsidered). He rolls with the punches and unless I'm mistaken doesn't run to the moderators everytime someone pulls his covers. I like that. I don't share the infatuation of his admirers who characterize me as constantly throwing holy water on Rich while repeating, "the blood of the martyrs commands you, the blood of the martyrs compels you . . ."

Mike (Dami, Why you do this to me?)

How about “figure of speech”… Maybe I should have said forever and a day…

Sorry you didn’t get my point; in other words, be careful what you say/write on the Internet in general and on Piano World in particular.

Rick

I don't have an axe to grind here. I don't own a Steinway. I am most unlikely to be in the market for a Steinway, or indeed for a piano of any kind. Nevertheless I find this an interesting discussion, and Steinway's leading position in the market is obviously a subject of considerable interest.

However, when I read a statement like


I find myself seriously unimpressed by the supposed sarcasm. And when I read a further statement like


when I have certainly seen no "obsession with badmouthing Steinway" in this thread, I can't help feeling that the "badmouthing" is perhaps coming from another source.

You asked "Isn't Steinway the One to beat?"

The top pianos of the day are made by Fazioli (Italy) and Bösendorfer (Austria). By any measure, these are the ones to beat. (Not coincidentally, they're also the most expensive.)

Also very good are the Shigeru Kawai, the Yamaha "S" and "CF" series, Bechstein, Grotrian, Sauter, Steingraeber & Söhne, and Blunther. If you're not hung up on a particular brand, you will find pianos from these makers as good as anything else out there.

Take a look at what Larry Fine, for example, rates as Tier 1 for "performance pianos." According to his last guide, US Made Steinways are second-tier (though he says they are improving). Also see comments from George Kolasis who likes the Shigeru Kawai.

You'll find little significant difference between the Steinway stencils from other pianos in the same price range from the same manufacturers sold under different brand names. In fact, you may prefer the "Kawai" brand Kawais. And though not made by Yamaha, you'd be cheating yourself if you didn't try the Yamaha "C" series if you were considering a "Boston."

If you want to see, feel, and hear what a no-holds-barred piano sounds and plays like, visit a Fazioli or Bösendorfer dealer.

"By any measure" huh?

I hope you got a thrill our of that post because there sure wasn't any science.

This has been a very interesting thread to read...I understand now that I poorly worded my original post's title (credit goes to turnadot), but I've enjoyed the perspectives shared. I am certainly not well versed in the broad world of pianos, and am only slightly familiar with certain brands. I have read Fine and I see that a handful of exceptional European pianos take top rank....I suppose I always thought of Steinway and Sons in the top tier as well, and I think of S&S as an American Icon of sorts. And, OK, I do like the Steinway sound. I've enjoyed playing and hearing the Boston grands as well, whose smallest grand has taken a place in my heart. The folks at my "local" Steinway gallery have been just wonderful and truly educative on various fronts. It seems that the Steinway debate is long-standing and lively, and I have no intention of joining it; I really was trying to solicit genuine thoughts and information on the Steinway-designed Boston vs. other pianos in its class. We are in the midst of our journey...it's a thrilling ride. Thx!