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It's been discussed before, and it's difficult for one person to try ALL models so I'm not going to ask what is the best upright as it' user/player subjective.

What I am looking for is your opinion and review on some of the top models below you've tried. With the reviews, it's hopeful a prospective buyer browsing this thread in the search for an Ultimate Vertical may read in their eyes what is best seek out.

Some items of consideration in your review may be the features, action, sound, and cabinetry design, etc. Please feel free to state your opinions.

update: the list below is not meant to be all-inclusive. It was compiled from researching manufactures that came to mind and selecting one of their top models. If I missed any, please add

Ultimate Vertical Pianos

-Yamaha YUS5
-Kawai K8
-Steinway Traditional K-52
-C. Bechstein Concert 8
-Petrof P 135 K1
-Sauter Master Class 130
-Schimmel K 132
-Seiler 132 Konzert
-Hailun HU 7P
-Grotrian Concertino
-Mason & Hamilin Model 50
-Steingraeber & Sohne 138
-Bosendorfer 130 CL
-Fandrich & Sons 130V
-August Forster 134K
-Kayserburg KA132
-Bluthner Model S

My K8 review.......

K8: I’ve owned it for little over a year now and love this piano. I like the large music rack/cabinet design and features (sostenuo pedal, silent feature, agraffes, etc.). Most of all I love the sound. The action is nice, however not as fast enough when compared to a Grand. Some may say this is just a design issue with verticals, but I wonder if there’s a vertical out there that rivals a Grand in terms of the action/repetition (i.e. Seiler 132 with SMR?)

In all, I would not hesitate to recommend the K8 to any player in the hunt for one of the best verticals. The features-to-price point is fair and Kawai is a great company that stands behind their products. Plus Kawai customer service is excellent from my dealings here in the USA.

A Steinway K that is properly regulated and mamintained is hard to beat!

The Sauter MC 130 is an amazing vertical. My Second choice would be the Steingraeber.

Your "ultimate" list includes some odd choices and disincludes some other obvious ones...

There's practically nobody that's played every piano on that list, and I suspect the few that have may be coming from the sales side of things more than the player's perspective. Even I haven't spent considerable time playing each one listed, and a couple I've never seen in this country.

You are also making the assumption that the tallest possible model is automatically the best. I can think of one maker where I don't believe that to be the case. There is some info about each of these instruments via competent use of the search function. Perhaps posting links would be more useful if you don't end up with enough useful answers.

C Bechstein Concert 8 gets my vote.. and No, I have not played all those pianos but most..

Only three models I've consciously tried.
Yamaha YUS5, Sauter Master, Grotrian Concertino.

Sauter: Fantastic action.
Yamaha: Good overall performance; most convenient for putting scores on the piano.
Grotrian: Good sound, action too light for my taste.

All three are good instruments; I'd choose between Yamaha and Sauter.

I've been very impressed by the Schimmel K 132s. Nice clear well balanced and they tune and voice nicely. But I might be overly impressed with Schimmel's K series.

I liked the Steingraeber 138 I found in a London showroom sitting alongside the Bechstein and Bosendorfer you mention. Maybe because its tone was more like my Schiedmayer.

You might also consider the 57" Bluthner S as a prime contender for your accolade.

Walter. Period.

Easy, as have played ALL these models on numerous occasions:
And come consistently to same conclusion

1] Sauter 2] Steingraeber 3] C.Bechstein

Not yet seen: "Kayserburg Artist".

Will this piano disturb the established balance?
[as is rumoured...]

Time will tell...

Norbert

Comments on those that I've played...

C. Bechstein 8 - most wide range of colors from bass to treble, very strong bass sound, was a lot of fun to play and felt like you could really work on musicianship with this piano (not just technique)

Sauter 130 - very "clean" sound and great action (good technique piano)

Grotrian Concertino - one of my favorites until I played the C. Bechstein. Very, very nice. Sound is lovely/unique and consistent across octaves. Played two pianos with different dealers-- one was unbelievable, the other was good, but not unbelievable (don't know if it is dealer prep or factory issue)

Steingraeber 138 - Love their grands (disclaimer, I own one!). Upright is a bit muddy in sound and not as polished in the action compared with others.

Kayserburg Artist - The action is very good and sound has some personality. I think that these pianos should definitely be on the list. When I tested it alongside some of the above, it was very difficult to differentiate. 52" has incredible bass.

Norbert, why the Sauter?

I haven't seen one in person, but this appears to be a contender worth checking out:

http://mammothpiano.com/

Norbert,
Still playing your Sauter upright at home?

Sauters are pianos that have blown me away the moment I ever tried one. Didn't know them before coming from Germany but 40 years ago there was a widely respected dealer/rebuilder not far from where I used to live in Vancouver, B.C.

I visited this guy [Austrian] on many occasions and listened to a whole lifetime of experience and wisdom. A wonderful, very non-assuming man.

The guy imported and rebuilt many of world's finest pianos but everytime you sat on a Sauter, even 45" uprights, you seemed to be getting into a very different world.

He said same, quietly nodding his head.

Perhaps that's why I'm 'nodding' myself - still...

Norbert

That's what I heard myself - from several sources.

Expected to be about 1/2 the price of other top riders, could these pianos become the biggest upset in the industry?

Norbert

OK, Norbert, I'll look out for Sauters in future.

Just came across this Sauter Inside Story blog post with some interesting photos of the Sauter establishment by a pair of happy customers.

Withingdale:

Why not contact PW member "Frankni" - he's also from England, recently visited the factory in Spaichingen and has a 6' Delta grand on order. Perhaps can share some info...

Norbert